Humane Society of Harris County: Play Group Training Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

Tuition for DPFL mentorship

The mentorship gave myself and another staffer the skills and confidence to begin the evaluation process of our dogs and to start playgroups on a regular basis for the first time. In addition, it offered us the ability to create volunteer training specifically for playgroups that will help us reach our ultimate goal of "every dog, every day." Unexpectedly, our time at Austin Pets Alive! also exposed us to their procedures and protocols, which, we discovered, offered excellent solutions to some of the shortfalls we felt existed in our facility.

How many pets did this grant help?

We have approximately 22 dogs at the Adoption Center at any one time. With only a few exceptions, we have gotten most of these dogs into a playgroup of some size. In addition, we have brought a few dogs from Animal Control over for evaluation.

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

White Walker is a pit-bull mix who had been at our facility for nearly six months. On leash, he presented as dog-reactive. He also had become more and more kennel-protective the longer he stayed with us. White Walker was one of the first “challenge” dogs we introduced to the playgroups on our return from APA. We discovered a playful and balanced dog with a mild selectivity to some male dogs. His intimidating kennel behavior also diminished after getting into playgroups. White Walker was adopted within four weeks of starting playgroups, and his adopter reported just two days ago that he is doing wonderfully at his new home.