Kokomo Humane Society: Play Group Training Grant Report

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

Scholarship for the Dogs Playing For Life mentorship program at Austin Pets Alive! in Austin, TX.

This program allows dogs to act like dogs should. They get the social interaction and enrichment they need but normally wouldn't get in a shelter environment. We also learned quite a lot about dog behavior that will allow us to work with dogs who previously would not have been adoptable. The staff also loves either leading or just watching playgroups, so I think this program even helps with the morale of the shelter.

How many pets did this grant help?

I would say 20-25 since returning from Austin, with more being added every day.

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

Liberty (the white dog in the photo) was found as a stray wandering out in the county. When she first came to us, she was terrified and spent her first few days here hiding in her kennel. We introduced her to the playgroups when she became available for adoption. She was apprehensive at first, but as she watched the other dogs running and having fun, she began to come out of her shell. It was wonderful to watch her go from hiding behind our legs to running up to other dogs to get them to play with her. Meet her: www.petfinder.com/petdetail/40050711