May 20 is National Rescue Dog Day. If you’ve ever picked up a dog on the side of the road or from a shelter, you have a rescue dog. While National Rescue Dog Day is intended to draw attention to the amazing dogs that need to be rescued by caring and loving families, there are dogs who need rescuing every day of the year.
National Rescue Dog Day was established by Lisa Wiehebrink of Tails That Teach, a Southern California non-profit. The intention was to bring awareness to the fact that there are wonderful and loving dogs waiting in shelters to be adopted. A further purpose Lisa had in mind was to teach very young children to be humane and caring toward pets as this will extend to others in society.
Cooper, a dog Lisa rescued, even became the main character in some books produced by Tails that Teach, which is Lisa’s charity. The books help kids learn to treat pets gently and to be kind to them. The books are available through Tails That Teach.
“Rescue dogs often overcome extreme obstacles and yet provide comfort, security, and friendship as family pets. But, rescue dogs are capable of much more. With training, they contribute to the independence of people with disabilities as service animals and give comfort to the elderly. In these circumstances, they become our eyes, ears, or legs as well as our best friend[s],” Tails That Teach’s site says.
From companionship to safety, dogs can fill a lot of needs in the lives of their owners. some rescue dogs can often be trained to be therapy dogs in capacities such as emotional support to combat post traumatic stress syndrome, relieve depression or anxiety. Dogs have the natural give of empathy which makes them caring about the people they love. People affected by autism often do well with trained rescue dogs.
Local Shelters include:
- Cherokee Village Animal Control (870) 994-4445, 1531 Hwy 289, Cherokee Village, Ark. 72529
- Horseshoe Bend Animal Control, (870) 670-4474, 705 Highway 289, Horseshoe Bend, Ark. 72512
- ICARE (Izard County Animal Rescue Effort) Voice Mail: (870) 368-5000 A volunteer will contact you, Melbourne, Arkansas.
- (Please help us update your list with any information you may have. Send to [email protected])
While not an actual “rescue” dog, local dog Radar has been trained to find lost people by Dave Gruger and others and is going to be an invaluable asset to the Spring River community. Is there a rescue dog waiting in a shelter to become the next Radar in the right hands? Of course, Radar has the breeding and has been groomed to be a finder of the lost, but that doesn’t mean a rescue dog could not follow in his footsteps in the right hands.
There are lots of ways to be involved! Here’s the list from Tails That Teach:
ADOPT: If there is room in your life for a dog, consider adopting and giving one a forever home.
FOSTER: Many dogs abandoned to shelters benefit from socialization, or would just thrive better away from the shelter environment. Others may be in need of some medical care or rehabilitation in a home setting before an adoption can take place.
HELP A SHELTER: Shelters always need support. In addition to financial donations, shelters have a list of much needed items such as blankets, toys, treats, and leashes. You can also host a bake sale, car wash, or other event to raise funds for the shelter.
VOLUNTEER: Help out at your local shelter. Taking dogs for walks, grooming, and giving them plenty of affection improves their socialization.
SPAY/NEUTER: Be responsible for your pets. Overpopulation is the number one reason shelters exist.
EDUCATE: Teach young children the importance of kindness, unconditional love, and responsible care of all animals.
