Haven to Home Canine Rescue: Orvis Dog Enrichment Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
Funding from the Orvis grant was used to purchase puzzle games, Kong toys and calming toys, agility and nose-work equipment (including weave poles, a jump, and a scent kit), and training tools (including harnesses, leashes, muzzles, clickers, and halters).
Kennel environments are often frustrating and overwhelming for incoming dogs and can exacerbate unwanted behaviors. Funding from the Orvis grant was used to purchase items that will help alleviate this stress and enrich the lives of dogs at our rescue for years to come. The tools acquired through this grant, such as the agility and nose-work equipment, have enabled volunteers to work more closely with kenneled dogs and build relationships founded on trust, thus providing for vital social enrichment prior to adoption. The Kong toys purchased from this grant are filled with either peanut butter or yogurt and are distributed to the dogs to keep them busy between kennel shifts. The calming toys assist in reducing stress, while the puzzle games provide added mental stimulation. The training tools acquired through this grant are essential to rehabilitating dogs in need. Muzzles, for example, have been used to secure the safety of both the dog and the volunteer, while clickers have been used to shape new, positive behaviors. These tools may ultimately increase the adoptability of some of our more challenging dogs by better enabling us to address problem behaviors resulting from previous trauma or neglect. Ultimately, the items provided by this grant have made it possible for us to introduce mentally stimulating and enriching activities to dogs at our rescue that would not have been available otherwise.
How many pets did this grant help?
Ten so far, and more than 150 dogs are expected to benefit from this grant, as items will be used until they are beyond repair.
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
One of the dogs who has benefited greatly from this grant is Ava (first photo). Ava is a beautiful white shepherd mix who loves to cuddle and spend time with her foster family. Ava was not doing well with the other large female dog in her previous home and came to us as a timid dog who prefers peace and quiet. She is very affectionate and has been described as an “old soul” in a young body. The Comfort Zone calming vest acquired through the Orvis grant helps keep Ava calm and confident during times when she may feel overwhelmed or anxious. This alleviation of stress has enabled Ava to better transition into her foster family and will ultimately help her as she transitions into a permanent adoptive home.
Domino (second photo) is another dog who has greatly benefited from this grant. He is an intelligent, energetic cattle dog mix who requires mental stimulation beyond that of typical dogs who come into our rescue. Domino came to our rescue after he was tied out and abandoned by a previous owner. Walks and playing sessions are not enough to satisfy his drive and energy level. Thanks to the Petfinder Foundation and the Orvis grant, Domino is now able to expend his energy through stimulating puzzle games, nose-work sessions, and agility training. Domino absolutely loves playing with his weave poles (pictured) and jump set! Through the use of these tools, Domino has become more engaged with volunteers and has truly blossomed as a happy, intelligent working companion. Use of these items helps to channel Domino’s energy in a positive, constructive way and enables him to become enriched both mentally, physically, and socially while waiting for his permanent adoptive home. Meet him: www.petfinder.com/petdetail/41171713
A third dog who has benefited from the use of this grant is Maverick (third and fourth photos). Maverick is a loving, friendly pit bull mix who has been waiting for his forever home since 2015. He is affectionate, intelligent, and loves spending time with volunteers and his foster family. He spent the majority of his life in a confined space, away from other people and dogs. Because of this, he needed to learn how to properly interact with other dogs and strangers. Thanks to the training items purchased through the Orvis grant, Maverick has been able to acquire a solid foundation of obedience skills while waiting for a permanent adoptive home. The use of his Halti enables him to be more secure on daily walks, while allowing his foster family to feel more at ease when exercising him. As Maverick continues on his journey for a forever home, the items acquired through the Orvis grant will continue to enrich his life at our rescue and prepare him for the next chapter in his story. Meet him: www.petfinder.com/petdetail/38468226
