RHINELANDER - Want to stretch your legs, do a good deed and make a dog’s day? You can by volunteering at the Oneida County Humane society.

Dogs like Sonja, and Penny have been at the shelter for months. They spend most of their time in kennels- waiting for a walk.

"They know when they’re going to go for their walk,” said Bria Swartout, Director of the Oneida County Humane Society, “They get all excited when they see that leash and harness."

A new law requires all humane societies give dogs daily exercise. That simple walk gives dogs a lot more than fresh air though, it can help them get closer to a home.

"We get to learn their different behaviors, how they act outside of the kennel, what techniques they know, whether they know how to walk on a leash. We also teach them how to properly walk on the leash... It really helps to get them adoptable when they can walk on the leash, and the knowledge we learn from walking them helps us so we can find their perfect families,” says Swartout.

The humane society sponsors 3 hour classes to teach volunteers dog walking techniques, then dog walkers can come as often as they like.

If you’d like to lend a hand and give a dog a walk, call the humane society at 715-362-5992.


Related Weblinks:
Oneida County Humane Society - website

Story By: Kailey Burton