Volunteer Event To Improve Dog’s Health In Warren County Shelters

Warren County residents have a chance Friday night to build skills needed to improve the lives of dogs inside rescues and shelters.

Crossroads Shelter Aid Founder Ashley Bouldin said she and a dog trainer have teamed up with Warren County Animal Control and Adoption Center for the training. Bouldin said all volunteers need is compassion and they will provide the training.

“So that they’re not spreading diseases or parasites and also keeping themselves safe,” Bouldin said. “She’s going to talk about behaviors to look for and how to respond. So if a dogs fearful or nervous or showing signs of aggression versus a happy dog that’s ready to see you.”

Bouldin said there a number of things that might seem small to a person, that can enrich the life of a dog. She said this is especially important for dogs waiting to be rescued.

“Enrichment activities to dogs is like giving a person in jail a book,” Bouldin said. “People don’t understand that it might just be a dog toy to you but to them it’s an escape, it’s a mental escape for them. So that’s something we’re really going to be talking about.”

Bouldin said volunteers are always a need, especially with the level of staffing at the county shelter and Bouldin operating her shelter on her own.

“It’s just hard to provide all the enrichment needed with just the staff that we have,” Bouldin said. “So volunteers will really make an impact on the mental health of dogs in shelters.”

Bouldin said that potential volunteers just need to show up at the Early Voting Room in the Warren County Administrative Offices on Friday at 6:00 PM. She said that applications to volunteer will be available.