Man’s finest good friend wants consideration too, and Aggieland Humane Society has one answer to provide its shelter dogs the most effective life they’ll get. Its new program Dog Day Out permits anybody to signal a canine out for the day and spend time with them — and, because the Society hopes, will increase the percentages the dogs discover a home.
Aggieland Humane Society, or AHS, is a nonprofit organization that fosters and rescues animals within the College Station space. Consisting primarily of dogs, it’s solely volunteer-led.
Sofia Briones, a freshman at Blinn College, has volunteered at Aggieland Humane Society for the previous 5 months and took part in Dog Day Out in early March.
“I got a pitbull named Hazel,” Briones stated. “It was great. She was so sweet and active. It was cool because we went from being strangers to having such [good] interactions together.”
As animal well being supervisor, Brittany Steele oversees animals in AHS’s care and their medical, behavioral and total wants. She additionally identifies which dogs are eligible for Dog Day Out. Steele stated the dogs must be spayed or neutered and have been in AHS custody for no less than three days to be eligible.
“It kind of depends on the dog,” Steele stated. “There are some dogs that do not do well in the kennels. One of our dogs, Halle, cannot stand to be in the kennel, but she is perfect outside in the office or car and is an ideal candidate for the program. We try to get dogs like her that just need the right outlet to succeed.”
Steele stated volunteers can choose the canine they wish to undertake for the day. Pickup is often 9 or 10 a.m., and individuals return their canine round 4 p.m. If they like, volunteers may give the dogs a wide range of community-provided experiences.
“We have some wonderful partners within our community,” Steele stated. “Lucky Dog Wash offers free baths for anyone that brings that pet and mentions they are up for adoption, and they can even have photo ops. Sweet Eugene’s has a very dog-friendly porch so they could get a coffee.”
Starting her profession as a Search & Rescue canine coach and ultimately turning into the volunteer coordinator at AHS, Nyssa Meyerdirk’s life revolves round serving animals.
“I’ve devoted my last seven years at Aggieland Humane Society,” Meyerdirk stated. “My favorite part is the education I provide our local volunteers and staff. I get to answer any and all questions people may have with our programs and animals.”
The Dog Day Out program is pretty new, opening in January of this 12 months. AHS needed to incentivize individuals to undertake the dogs and provides the dogs an outlet. Although she solely skilled Dog Day Out as soon as, Briones stated she’s excited to proceed volunteering for this system.
“My favorite part is seeing their faces light up when you pick them up from the shelter,” Briones stated. “You can tell how happy they are. They jump all over you and want to show you all their favorite things when you drop them off. It was bittersweet, but it was so special.”
