Doggy Gets a Day Out

Field trip programs allow dogs needed time away from the shelter.

- Cheryl Smyth

Mr. Puddles established friendships easily with the adoption center’s volunteers during the duration of his stay. Despite the stray’s growing popularity, however, he was developing kennel anxiety. An outing was just what this wanderer needed. And thanks to doggy Day Out, he was able to enjoy one.

Like many humans, canines need a change of pace. They require exercise, exploration and discovery with a variety of social interactions to keep them content. The monotony of a shelter can bring on restlessness, which can result in anxiety and bad behavior. Time away, even for a short spell, relieves these issues and can help dogs become more adoptable. For a solution, Stephanie Jackson, Foster Coordinator of Louisville MetroAnimal Services started a day out program.

Jackson was provided with ideas to initiate a strategy for official doggy excursions while taking a three-day training course through Maddie's Fund ® at the Austin Animal Center in Austin, Texas. She had been granted an apprenticeship for the course, which specifically covered the difficult challenges of medium to large adult dog fostering.

The resulting field trip program proved successful and caught the attention of Mutual Rescue™ . They asked Jackson to coordinate a DoggyDay Out toolkit for other interested shelters to facilitate their own versions.