The 4th of July is a time of human celebration. Unfortunately, that’s a nightmare for most dogs. Loud, unfamiliar sounds in the sky frighten most dogs hiding under beds. For dogs with shelter, it’s even scarier to not have family to comfort them.
That’s why inmates at Brevard County Jail in Florida stepped up to help this year. They spent the night of Independence Day taking care of the nervous shelter pups. It has proven that small acts of kindness can go a long way.
Comfortable shelter dogs for prisoners
This idea originally started as a proposal by the citizens of Brevard County. Last year, the idea evolved into an official event meant to help homeless dogs feel safe. This is the second year in a row that the inmates look after the shelter dogs during the fireworks.
“Our goal is not only to calm the dogs, but to help build and instill a sense of purpose and compassion in the prisoners, which will hopefully support them when they return to society after they served their time,” the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook
During this time, the inmates feed, play with, and read to the dogs in Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Animal Care Center. In fact, the system is so effective that other organizations have created similar programs.
The Bradshaw Animal Shelter in California has also allowed volunteers to comfort dogs during fireworks in the past. Many people have spent the holidays taking care of these dogs. They read to them, played with them, and even performed music for them.
Why Are Dogs Afraid of Fireworks?
These two shelters aren’t the only ones in the spotlight fear of the 4th of july. In fact, dogs all over the world cringe in celebratory explosions. What seems like a fun holiday to us is their biggest fear in life.
Dogs have more sensitive ears than humans, so fireworks can sound scarier than we can imagine. Dogs can hear between 45,000 and 65,000 hertz while humans can only hear 20,000 hertz. So the prolonged and continuous fireworks sounds can be painful for them.
Fireworks are also measured between 150 and 175 decibels, which is louder than gunfire. The noise alone is enough to make dogs run away, but bright flashes can also startle them. Sadly, dogs cannot enjoy the beauty and excitement of fireworks like humans. That’s why it’s so important that inmates and volunteers are now comforting shelter dogs during this stressful holiday season. After all, these homeless kids need all the love they can get.
H/T: cnn.com
Featured pictures: Find us on Flickr and Screenshots, @ SpaceCoastDaily / Facebook
