Multnomah County Animal Services has launched a nurturing volunteer program to enrich lives, enhance training efforts, promote fitness, increase socialization and relieve stress for dogs who have been at the shelter for one month or longer. MultCo Pal Teams matches active volunteer teams with a dog that compliments their interests and training certification levels.
“Although we give our animals the best care available, dogs, like people, can become anxious in close quarters, which impacts their behavior,” says Mike Oswald, Director of Animal Services. “An animal that is normally playful, obedient and friendly, may become nervous and withdrawn. It is very sad to see great dogs deteriorate over time.”
MultCo Pal Teams train and mentor dogs while engaging in outdoor activities, including hiking, running and other healthful adventures. To supplement shelter care, the 3-4 hour experience includes training exercises, dog to dog socialization, comprehensive behavioral analysis and plenty of healthy treats. The excursions help relieve the dogs anxiety and assists shelter personnel by gaining a clear understanding of the dog’s authentic behavior, which is passed on to potential adopters.
“I am on Romeo’s Team”, says Mary Pat Whitaker, a shelter volunteer. We have walked the Springwater Trail, visited Petsmart and did slow introductions with my own dogs. It’s really a win/win/win, for the dog, my husband and me. All three of us get fit, relieve stress and learn more about each other.”
Animal Services’ successful foster program placed more than 100 dogs into temporary foster homes last year, with 20 dogs currently in foster care. In need of more foster homes, this new wellness program enhances this effort by providing healthy and adoptable in-shelter dogs with enriching life experiences.
If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, please visit the volunteer page at www.multcopets.org.
MCAS protects the health, safety and welfare of people and pets by providing compassionate and essential services including spay/neutering, adoptions, licensing, training, education, outreach, lost and found, animal rescue and protection.