Fairfax County Animal Shelter in Virginia has developed a new program for the dogs at the shelter. Trained volunteers can now take dogs from the shelter out for a “Power Hour” which can be even more than an hour. During this hour, they are taken on an outing that they wouldn’t get to do trapped behind their cage doors in the shelter. Some dogs get to go hiking, jump through an equestrian cross country horse, even eat ice cream or McDonald’s hamburgers as a treat.
This practice helps the dogs socialize with other dogs, people on the outside, and gets them used to being in a more open environment than their small space in the shelter.
And the whole time these dogs are out having fun, they are wearing bright vests that say, “Adopt Me”. It not only shows the public what an awesome dog they are and that they need a home, but makes the public more aware of other dogs that need homes too, that could thrive in public just as well if given the chance.
This “Power Hour” is something that should happen in every shelter. Not only does it make the public more aware of dogs that need homes, but it has these pups in a much better mood when they return to the shelter after their hour of freedom.
–Jenna Gomes
