Bronx Boy Reads to Adoptable Shelter Dogs to Help Socialize Them, Makes Amusing Animations to Bring Attention to Those Looking for a Home
Evan Bisnauth, an 11-year-old boy from Bronx, New York, was just named ASPCA’s kid of the year for his outstanding efforts to help socialize and get dogs adopted at Animal Care Centers of NYC.
“Our 2021 ASPCA Humane Award winners represent the best of us — heroic people and organizations dedicated to helping vulnerable animals, and amazing animals who demonstrate the invaluable love and comfort they’re capable of providing,” Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the ASPCA, said in a press release.
“It makes me feel really good … but it also makes me want to do so much more,” Evan said to TODAY about receiving the award.
Evan helps socialize dogs in a unique way: by reading to them. “I actually first read to my own dog when I was learning to read and write in school,” he said. Evan also creates animations of adoptable animals to help them get attention and ultimately be placed in a safe, loving home.
“During COVID, I was not able to go in person and I needed to find a fun way to showcase the dogs and put them in a positive light,” said Evan. “I started animating them doing all the fun things dogs like to do to get people to picture them as a part of their family.”
Evan’s favorite book to read to the dogs is the children’s book “Belly Rubbins for Bubbins,” written by Jason Kraus and illustrated by Connor DeHaan. “The story is about a dog that was placed into the shelter and got adopted,” Evan said. “I like reading that to the dogs because when I’m done reading the book I’m like, ‘You will get adopted. Now I have hope for you.'”
“I just want people to know that shelter dogs are not bad dogs. They are just looking for good people,” he said. “And to all the kids out there, you are never too small to make big changes.”
Image source: TODAY
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