Photos and Video: Bebe Neuwirth Tells Stories to Recovering Canines at the ASPCA

Yesterday afternoon Broadway actress and current star of CBS' Madam Secretary, Bebe Neuwirth, dropped by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (ASPCA) Canine Annex for Recovery and Enrichment (CARE) to read one of her favorite novels to recovering canine cruelty victims. Scroll down for photos and footage from her visit!

Ms. Neuwirth served as a volunteer reader for the ASPCA's Story Telling program, an initiative which provides valuable human socialization to fearful, under socialized dogs rescued through the NYPD/ASPCA partnership. Ms. Neuwirth shared sections of Leo Tolstoy's classic War and Peace with a group of four dogs as part of their rehabilitation. Check out video of the reading via Facebook Live below!

Since its inception a little more than three years ago, volunteers with the ASPCA Story Telling program have clocked over 3,000 hours of reading to hundreds of dogs at CARE and the Animal Recovery Center, a special wing of the ASPCA Animal Hospital for cruelty victims.

"Victims of animal cruelty benefit from positive and loving human interactions to help undo the psychological damage they've sustained, so we're thrilled that Bebe Neuwirth - a longtime animal advocate - is offering her time and considerable talent to take part in our reading therapy program," said Matt Bershadker, President and CEO of the ASPCA. "Many of these dogs have never known a kind word or gentle action from a human, so Ms. Neuwirth's participation, as well as the participation of all of our volunteer readers, can truly make a difference in their lives and boost their adoption prospects."

The ASPCA Story Telling Program is one part of the overall rehabilitation efforts at CARE. Completed in October 2015, the 5,000-square-foot facility can accommodate up to 50 dogs and was specifically designed to create as calming an experience as possible for recovering cruelty victims. In 2016 over 150 canine cruelty victims received treatment at CARE.

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation's leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Photos courtesy ASPCA

Bebe Neuwirth reads excerpts of her favorite novel, War and Peace, to recovering canine cruelty victim, Bordeaux, a 15-year-old Bichon Frise brought to the ASPCA by the NYPD in April 2017.
Bebe Neuwirth greets Juice before a reading at the ASPCA Canine Annex for Recovery and Enrichment in New York City.

Bebe Neuwirth and ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker share treats with Bordeaux, a 15-year-old Bichon Frise brought to the ASPCA by the NYPD in April 2017.

Bebe Neuwirth with Bordeaux, a 15-year-old Bichon Frise brought to the ASPCA by the NYPD in April 2017.

Bebe Neuwirth prepares to read excerpts of her favorite novel, War and Peace, to Juice, a 4-year-old, male Pit Bull mix with skin issues found tied to a pole at a construction site in December 2016 by the NYPD. He is now available for adoption at the ASPCA Adoption Center.