Huntington shelter workers, League for Animal Protection volunteers learn internationally-recognized program that creates play groups for shelter dogs
In its continuing effort to adopt programs and policies aimed at making dogs in its care more adoptable, the Huntington Town Animal Shelter has begun implementing Dogs Playing for Life, an internationally recognized program that creates play groups for shelter dogs, helping them burn off energy while counteracting the stresses of shelter life and providing better indicators for shelter staff in classifying dogs for adoption.
This week, Dogs Playing for Life founder Aimee Sadler and her team began training shelter workers and volunteers in the program, which began at the Southampton Town shelter 17 years ago and has spread to more than 100 shelters globally. The training included a classroom session and hands-on work with some of the dogs currently housed at the shelter, on Deposit Road in East Northport.
“Huntington is proud of our shelter and our efforts to stay at the forefront of current trends in caring for the physical and emotional needs of the dogs in our care,” Town Supervisor Frank P. Petrone said. “We are excited about the potential of the Dogs Playing for Life Program to stimulate dogs at the shelter and prepare them for their lives when they find new homes.”
Jane Barbato, who runs the volunteer program at the shelter for the League for Animal Protection, said, “The shelter staff and LAP volunteers already know that we have most wonderful dogs in the world. Playing for Life gives the public the opportunity to see for themselves just how magnificent they really are- in all their glory, just doing what dogs do reveling in their connection with each other. “
According to a Dogs Playing for Life brochure, benefits of the program include that:
• Shelter dogs will learn critical dog-to-dog social skills that can help them post-adoption in developing positive relationships with dogs outside the shelter.
• Exercise can make dogs more relaxed and better behaved in their kennels when meeting potential adopters
• By observing a dog’s state of play and social skills off the leash, shelter staff will gain a better understanding of each dog. This information can be used to make better decisions about potential adoption matches.
“Play is good for animals AND people,” Sadler said. “The dogs, employees and volunteers look forward to play groups. Letting shelter dogs get together to socialize daily helps them to cope with the stressful kennel environment while waiting for someone to take them home. Dogs live to play. ..now, let them play to live!”
The training program includes a classroom presentation, the demonstration of safe handling techniques and fundamentals or successful play group experiences. The approximately $6,000 cost of the program is being shared by the Town and the League for Animal Protection, whose volunteers have worked with dogs at the shelter for many years.
The Town is planning on chronicling the progress of the program in online videos told through the eyes of Dixie, a pit bull mix at the shelter.
Dogs Playing for Life is the latest in a series of measures implemented at the Huntington Animal Shelter to help dogs find new homes, including ensuring that all dogs receive basic socialization training, special limited-time promotions in which fees are waived, adoption fairs and the creation of a tax-exempt foundation, Give A Dog a Dream, to accept donations for animal shelter programs.