Red Desert Humane Society: Play Group Training Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

$1,000 grant to attend the Dogs Playing for Life training in Longmont, Colorado, in May of 2018

It was extremely useful to gain insight into behavior types and play styles of the animals. It has assisted us at the shelter to recognize behavior, and compose playgroups accordingly. Learning how to transition the dogs out of cages was very helpful as well. The training gave me more information on training volunteers to assist with playgroups.

How many pets did this grant help?

It has helped every dog in the shelter currently, and all those coming to us in the future! The training will be useful for years to come, and will benefit all our babies!

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

Samson (first photo) is learning his manners and not rushing in and out of his cage when we transition him. He is getting better with his eye contact and learning to behave on his leash. He’s learning to play with other dogs out in the yard. He is a great big boy who is difficult to handle if you don’t have the proper training. We are grateful to the Petfinder Foundation for the DPFL grant! Meet him: www.petfinder.com/petdetail/41707414

Another dog who benefited from my training at DPFL was Sabbath (second photo). Sabbath didn’t do well with other dogs. So after training, and watching his style of play and interaction, we were able to discern the type and size of dog that Sabbath could play with. Sabbath was adopted into a family with smaller dogs whom he is able to get along with.