An innovative program at Dallas' animal shelter turned out to be a major hit for animals and people alike. Called Calming the Canines, it was an event that took place on New Year's Eve at Dallas Animal Services' facility on 1818 N. Westmoreland Rd. to help reduce stress for cats, dogs, and other animals at the shelter during fireworks.

Nearly 300 people turned out for the event, which involved sitting outside the kennel in which the animals were confined and engaging them in activities such as reading or singing. Many brought toys and food donations, and a few adopted animals and signed up for the shelter's foster program.

With 307 public kennels at the facility, it resulted in just about every animal receiving some kind of attention.

While the idea of reading to animals at shelters may sound unusual, it's not a new thing, and studies have shown it can have a positive effect. Other animal organizations around Dallas have hosted similar reading nights — but none on New Year's Eve.

The timing was to address the impact that fireworks can have on animals, even those confined inside shelter walls. Cats, dogs, birds, and wildlife have better hearing than humans, and are more affected by fireworks, which come off as a threat.

The shelter ordinarily closes at 7 pm but they opened the doors from 10:30 pm to 12:30 am when fireworks would be at their peak.

One notable aspect at this event was the wide range of people who showed up, not just from Dallas but outlying cities like Plano and McKinney — everyone from a big family with a bunch of kids, to a mom with her son who was a Marine, to five National Honors Society students who needed to fulfill volunteer hours.

Many were visiting the shelter for the first time. And everyone followed instructions — which is to say that they came armed with books, not to mention quilts, blankets, bags of treats, and other donations. Some went specifically to the library to find books to bring. One man who came was a former dog owner who'd just moved from Houston and wasn't able to have a pet at his place, but said he just wanted to help the pets get through the night. One woman played a harp.

There were also generous company donations including pizzas donated by Dallas pizza chain Cane Rosso, plus beverages and manpower from Rahr Brewing.

Unfortunately, an event like this does not solve the problem which is an epidemic of illegal fireworks being set off in areas such as South Dallas, where loose animals are already a problem and where residents do not properly care for their pets; and police departments across North Texas that are already grappling with other holiday-related issues.

In the days after fireworks-heavy nights like New Year's Eve and July 4th, most shelters witness an increased intake of lost and loose animals, but that doesn't even address the cats and dogs who've bolted during fireworks in fear, found dead in the ensuing days.

But on this one night, 300 or so people at least helped make a difference at the shelter itself.

"Definitely a big part of the story is how the community came together," said one DAS volunteer.