A Scots schoolgirl is on a mission to help 'scared and nervous' animals by reading stories to them at a rescue centre.
Summer Parkhill tells a variety of tales to four-legged friends at Arthurshiel Rescue Centre in St Boswells in the Scottish Borders at least once a week.
The seven-year-old volunteer loves helping vulnerable creatures who 'completely calm down' when she begins reading or singing to them.
Adorable footage shows the youngster reading to dogs, Todd and Albert and Kevin the cat.
Opting for mostly animal-based children's literature and bright animations, enthusiastic Summer has all three companions hanging on her every word.
Staff and volunteers are particularly impressed at chocolate brown pooch, Albert who, before meeting Summer, was 'very nervous' and 'reluctant to engage'.
Summer, from nearby Selkirk, is like 'a breath of fresh air' among those at the charity who give up time to ensure animals brought into their care feel safe.
The youngster's love for all creatures great and small comes from her proud mum, Kylie Rankine.
The 33-year-old housewife and fellow volunteer told the Record: "Summer is just great with the animals and she definitely gets it from me.
"I volunteered at the centre as a teenager.
"When Summer was five, I brought her along to visit and it just went from there, she really wanted to help."
Whether it's caring for cats in the cattery, petting poorly pups or helping volunteers with odd jobs, aspiring vet Summer loves doing her bit.
"Animals can come to the centre incredibly nervous and scared of humans,"Kylie added.
"One day last year, Summer came up with the idea of reading to them.
"They warm to her and begin to trust her, then they allow her to stroke them, it's lovely to watch."
Mum-of-four Kylie knows Summer gets as much out of the story time sessions as the animals do.
"It teaches her how to care for something vulnerable, how to be understanding and gentle," she said.
"Her older sister, Amy-Jane, 14, volunteers too and it's really helped her through a few difficult years at high school."
Before she's old enough to fulfil her dream of working with animals, Summer's set her sights on becoming a TikTok star.
"Maybe she'll be in the papers again one day through TikTok or even writing a book on animals," Kylie joked.
"She gets so much out of it and such an animal lover, I'm sure she'll end up working with them when she's older.
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