The young boy has now been rewarded for his inspiring dedication to helping animals.
For the past two years, Nehemiah has been regularly visiting the Jacksonville Humane Society shelter in Florida, USA, to read stories to the cats and dogs waiting for their forever homes.
A wonderful reading programme
These reading sessions were part of the shelter's "Pawsitive Reading" scheme. The aim was to bring a sense of calm to the rescue animals, reducing their stress levels and hopefully helping them find a family much faster.
And that is not all. Nehemiah set himself a personal target of completing 100 hours of reading to the shelter animals. Month after month, he stuck to his challenge and passed it with flying colours.
An act of patience and kindness
These storytelling sessions have created a much more peaceful environment for the animals, who often feel highly anxious in their kennels. Hearing a soothing voice helps them relax while getting them used to human company.
The shelter's director praised the young volunteer's incredible determination. To celebrate this milestone, the shelter presented him with an official certificate and a special award.
Out of all the shelter's residents, Nehemiah formed a particularly close bond with a dog named Hopper. Happily, after spending nearly 400 days at the shelter, Hopper has finally been adopted into a loving home!