Cute kids and adorable dogs will slay us any day of the week, but this scene in a dog shelter in the US is totally breaking our hearts.

Children aged between 6 and 14 are kneeling outside kennels of dogs who are shy and fearful and reading them their favourite books in hope to comfort the canines.

How sweet!

Jo Klepacki, the director at the Humane Society in Missouri told The Dodo: "We wanted to help our shy and fearful dog[s] without forcing physical interaction with them to see the positive effect that could have on them."

The kids are asked to take a short course that helps them to read the body language of a dog and look out for signs of stress or nervousness. 

After they complete the course, the kids are then encouraged to soothe the pups through reading.

"Hearing a child reading can really calm those animals. It is incredible, the response we've seen in these dogs.

"What this is also doing is to bring the animals to the front in case potential adopters come through.

"They are more likely to get adopted if they are approaching and interacting, rather than hiding in the back or cowering."

We can't deal!