NMDOG: Orvis Dog Enrichment Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
Many of our dogs undergo a longer length of stay in our care due to the level of physical abuse and/or emotional isolation they experienced prior to their rescue. NMDOG puts forth the majority of our efforts to the rescue of chained dogs and those from documented cruelty cases.
This grant for enrichment items and activities helps us to ensure they are receiving the best overall care while they prepare for adoption into a home as a treasured family member.
Enrichment toys such as food puzzles, slow-feed bowls, licky and snuffle mats, Kong wobblers, Kongs, bully sticks, etc., are worth their weight in gold for mental stimulation and spicing up day-to-day life here at NMDOG HQ, and they help to build the dogs' self-confidence and self-esteem!
Enrichment outings such as trips to day care, a "Netflix and chill" overnight hotel stay with a trusted volunteer or a night at the cabin, a day trip to the top of the mountain -- there are so many great enrichment activities we can do with our dogs, but they all cost extra money, even for gas.
We are so grateful to the Petfinder Foundation, their partners, and their supporters for enabling us to create experiences the dogs deserve! So many that we serve have never been inside of a home or off of their chain -- they've never had a toy or a treat. It's so much fun to watch them figure it all out.
How many pets did this grant help?
20 dogs
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Walter White (first and second photos) is now on a foster-to-adopt trial and, because of the grant, we were able to send him to his new home with many enrichment items and a daycare package so he can go any time he needs some playtime with his friends. You can meet Walter White here.
Prince was chained for eight years and underwent a tarsal arthrodesis procedure after his rescue to repair the damage that was intentionally done to his Achilles tendon, rendering him in pain and nearly immobile. His tail had also been crudely amputated when he was a puppy in an attempt to make him appear more “rabbit-like.”
With funds from this grant, Prince was able to take an overnight trip to the cabin in the mountains of northern New Mexico to explore his newfound mobility and freedom — on a 100-ft. line, of course (he’s a husky, after all! He got to snuggle with his fave NMDOG human, play along the river, run in a meadow, explore the forest, and even see a deer (photos 3-6)!
We were also able to purchase more enrichment items, toys, food puzzles, slow-feed bowls, raised feeders, etc., to have on-hand for daily use at NMDOG HQ, where the majority of our medical and behavior rehab kids stay while they get ready for foster and adoption. Now play yard time and meals are much more exciting! Thank you, Petfinder Foundation!!
