BRONX TIMES REPORTER,14 JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6, 2020 BTR
Evan Bisnauth of Clason Point reads to a dog at the NYC ACC’s Books with Boroughbreds
program. Photo Courtesy Amanda Persaud
Clason Pt. child’s readings
soothe ‘man’s best friend’
BY JASON COHEN
When most people think of young
children, they picture them playing
outside, getting into mischief or totally
glued to the Xbox or computer.
But, Evan Bisnauth, 10, of Clason
Point, is not your typical youngster.
Since August 2019 Bisnauth has
been a junior volunteer at the NYC
Animal Care Center’s Books with Boroughbreds
program.
The Manhattan Animal Care Center
is located at 326 E. 110th Street.
‘Books with Boroughbreds’ began
in 2018 and has children, ages 5 and
up, read to dogs at the facility. Some of
the youngsters participate individually,
while others are part of organizations,
such as school classes or a Girl
Scout troop.
Bisnauth, who reads to dogs at the
center every weekend, explained his
passion for man’s best friend began
when he was a toddler. He grew up surrounded
by three dogs and today, his
pitbull; Milo is his right hand man.
“I always wanted to work with animals
and dogs,” Bisnauth said. “I think
they need the most help.”
His mom, Amanda Persaud, explained
she saw how much of an impact
dogs had on him and knew he
would enjoy working alongside them.
Since he joined the reading group
he has become a better reader and the
dogs are more relaxed.
Bisnauth noted that sometimes it
takes 30 minutes of reading before a
dog calms down.
Being he has a pitbull at home, he
is comfortable with all types of dogs at
the facility.
“It takes a lot of patience and time if
you’re working with a really hard dog
and they’re really scared,” he said.
During the recent holiday season
he and his mom decided to give back
to the ACC.
They launched a fundraiser where
they sold T-shirts and sweatshirts and
raised $1,000.
To keep people informed about
what Bisnauth was doing, Persaud uploaded
photos and videos to Facebook
and Instagram.
Bisnauth explained that it’s a rewarding
experience, not only for the
dogs, but for himself. He makes the
dogs happy and best of all, the dogs
can’t criticize his reading.
“They can’t judge me,” he stressed.
“They’re not able to give feedback.”
He noted that the one sad part about
being a volunteer is when you learn a
dog you were working with was euthanized.
The youngster explained that when
he started going to ACC he wasn’t looking
for attention, but rather wanted to
give back to man’s best friend.
He is glad he has been able to make
a difference and hopes to continue doing
so through high school.
According to Bisnauth, he is a science
fan and his favorite book to read
to the dogs is ‘Jurassic Park.’
He encourages other youngsters to
volunteer or donate supplies or blankets
for the dogs.
“I would like to get more kids involved,”
he said. “I want people to
know that (shelter) dogs need help.”
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