Horse Storytime: Empathy for Animals in Maine
October 31st, 2025
By Minhhan Takemoto, Program Manager
After hosting a RedRover Readers workshop earlier this year, staff and volunteers at the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA) were eager to put their new skills into action – and they did just that with their first-ever “Pony Tales” pilot reading event!
Applying what they learned about fostering empathy and emotional awareness through stories, the MSSPA joined forces with their local Windham Public Library to welcome families for a heartwarming “Story Hour” on the farm, including titles featured on the RedRover Readers List of Recommended Books with Humane Themes.
“Despite the stormy-looking skies, it was a balmy July morning when the MSSPA prepared to welcome the smallest animal lovers to the farm,” shared Peg Keyser, Advancement Director at MSSPA. “Everyone settled on the lawn in front of the small barn, while stories were read and the horses grazed quietly in nearby paddocks…there were close to 200 people in attendance! When storytime wrapped up, the little ones could not wait to meet the ‘real’ horses and enjoy a few horse snuggles through the fence.”
As we continue our partnership with the MSSPA through both our RedRover Readers and RedRover Relief domestic violence assistance program, we’re reminded of the impact empathy and understanding have on growing our love for animals.
