At exactly 3 p.m., Hopper perks up.
He’s not reacting to a treat bag or a leash—he’s waiting for something else entirely: a story. From his kennel at the Jacksonville Humane Society, the spirited pup watches the door closely. And when a young boy named Nehemiah walks in holding a book, Hopper lights up.
This isn’t just routine. For Hopper, it’s the best part of the day.
A New Level of Calm
Normally, Hopper is full of energy. He jumps. He runs in circles. He does whatever he can to catch someone’s attention. But when someone sits down and opens a book, something incredible happens.
He sits. He listens. He smiles through the glass.
“Hopper’s behavior completely shifts,” said Samantha Ahnen, the shelter’s community engagement manager. “Reading has such a calming effect on him.”
Why? Maybe it’s the gentle rhythm of the voice. Maybe it’s the closeness. Whatever the reason, Hopper relaxes like never before.
The Power of Storytime
Nehemiah, just 9 years old, spends a half hour with each dog as part of the Pawsitive Readers program. It’s a simple idea—kids read aloud to shelter animals. But the impact is powerful.
“Hopper is such a sweet dog with a lot of energy,” said Nehemiah’s grandma, Joanna McKenzie. “But something about reading makes him settle down.”
Sometimes Hopper even adds his own spin on the story—barking at just the right moment or wagging his tail in excitement. It’s adorable..
Will Hopper be next?
“He just needs the right person to come along,” said Ahnen. “Someone who’ll be patient and kind while he adjusts.”
Hopper’s ideal home? A quiet place where he’s the only dog—and can soak up every bit of love. And thanks to Dolly’s Dream, his adoption fees are already covered.
