Why is Foothills Humane Society (FHS) the “go-to place” to adopt a local dog?

There are many answers: the dogs are always up to date on all vaccinations; the dogs are micro-chipped and the dogs are clean and cared for during their shelter stay.

Another reason is that dog training is a top priority for those dogs at the shelter for short or longer term stays. Recently FHS took training to a higher level for a few dogs that are ready to be placed in their forever homes.

Foothills Humane Society completed its first Canine Good Citizen Class for five shelter dogs. All of the dogs successfully graduated after a five-week class. Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program is an American Kennel Club (AKC) Program started in 1989.

It is designed to reward dogs that have good manners at home and in the community. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.   Canine Good Citizen training is often chosen by permanent dog owners as the foundation for training their dogs. And it is a program that can assist shelter dogs in being more desirable for adoption. Graduates display good manners and high quality interaction with humans and other animals.

The FHS instructor, Kathi Myer, is an AKC judge and trainer/handler of Obedience and Rally classes. Each FHS adoptable animal was paired with a volunteer who met for weekly classes and worked with the dogs outside of class time. The local volunteers were Joe Estridge, Linda Williams, Shirley Johnson, Betty Winkel and Deborah O’Donnell.

If you are interested in adopting one of these recent graduates or any of the shelter dogs and cats, please contact FHS at 828-863-4444. Or for your convenience, see adoptable animals online at www.foothillshumanesociety.org where pictures and biographies are displayed.

– article submitted by Joyce Cox