We're All Good Girls and Boys Here! - needs $1,000 for Behavioral Training Program

Helping Hands Humane Society Inc. (Topeka, KS)

Allow me to introduce you to Koda, an incredibly intelligent border collie/husky mix. Koda’s energy and enthusiasm are boundless, but he struggles a bit in his kennel environment, feeling frustrated and eager to run. When he meets potential adopters, his excitement often leads him to jump up and greet them, which can be a bit overwhelming for his future family.

To support Koda and his new parents, we’re offering a training scholarship that will help them learn about his unique breed and channel his intelligence in positive ways. This program is designed to build their confidence as they teach Koda how to use his brilliant mind and energy constructively, creating a strong bond between them from the very start!

In Topeka, Kansas, our love for dogs and pets is palpable. As the largest animal shelter in a 30-mile radius, we take pride in caring for around 6,000 animals each year. With national dog intakes on the rise, we realized that our focus needed to shift from merely increasing our capacity to finding innovative solutions to keep beloved pets in their homes.

In 2022, we took a bold step by launching our “Training Scholarship” program. This initiative specifically targets larger dogs facing behavioral challenges, which can often hinder their chances of adoption. Recognizing that their size, coupled with the stress of kennel life, contributed to difficulties in finding forever homes, we sought to provide a pathway for these dogs to thrive in a domestic environment.

The Training Scholarship program enables adopters to enroll their newly adopted dog in training classes offered by our skilled staff trainers during evenings and weekends. This support is essential for addressing common behavioral issues such as counter-surfing and chasing cats, which can be daunting for new pet owners. By equipping adopters with the tools they need to successfully integrate their dogs into their homes, we foster confidence and resilience within our community of pet owners.

In 2023, we expanded the reach of our Training Scholarship program to benefit not only our adopters but also members of the public-facing challenges with their dogs. If a pet owner contacts us about the possibility of rehoming or surrendering their dog due to behavioral issues, we offer them access to our training classes at no cost. Our goal is to provide the necessary support to help pet owners retain their beloved companions, thus preventing the need for surrender altogether.

To date, we have successfully issued 91 training scholarships to the public and nearly 200 scholarships to support shelter dogs post-adoption. These numbers reflect our commitment to ensuring that dogs and their families can stay together, even in the face of challenges.

Our participation in this challenge is crucial for maintaining the flexibility necessary to respond to the needs of our community and all funding would go towards our training scholarship program. We are focused on creating opportunities for pet owners to receive the assistance they need to keep their pets at home.

By prioritizing the well-being of both animals and their humans, we believe we can make a meaningful difference in Topeka and beyond. Our Training Scholarship program is just one example of how HHHS is committed to innovative solutions that bridge the gap between shelter care and community support.

At HHHS, we understand that the journey to a successful pet ownership experience can be challenging. That’s why we are dedicated to providing resources that empower pet owners and create lasting connections between families and their furry companions. We invite you to join us in this exciting endeavor, as together we work to ensure that every dog has a loving home and every family can enjoy the joy of pet companionship.