Humane Society's PUPS program celebrates 1st year

The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri is a big advocate of second chances.

The not-for-profit organization cares for thousands of animals each year, helping them eventually find homes within the community.

Sometimes the dogs at the local Humane Society need some work on their social skills before they're ready for adoption. That's where PUPS comes in.

The Puppies Uniting People Successfully program is a community-based adaptation of the Missouri Department of Correction's Puppies for Parole Program. Rather than sending dogs to the prison to interact with inmates, offenders come to the shelter to work with the dogs. District 22 of the department's Division of Probation and Parole partners with the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri and works with the Family Counseling Center, which offers those on probation, parole or completing substance abuse treatment an opportunity to participate in the program.

Cheryl Ellis, Humane Society director, said like Puppies for Parole, PUPS has seen plenty of success in its first year.

"We've done really well with it," she said. "It's good for [the volunteers] and it's good for the dogs to get out of the kennel."

The time the volunteers spend interacting with the dogs offers benefits to both sides, Ellis said. The participants have an opportunity to provide a service by training the dogs and preparing them for adoption.

Dogs that spend too long inside a kennel are easily excitable once they finally have a chance to get out and exercise, Ellis said. When PUPS volunteers come to work with the dogs, the animals not only have a chance to stretch their legs, they also learn basic commands like "sit" and "stay."

After just one hour, Ellis said volunteers can see a difference.

"The people that come out to participate can see a difference in the dogs, in their personalities, from the time they get there to the time they're put back in their kennel," she said. "It's rewarding for them because they can see the difference they're making as they work with the dogs."

These achievements made by humans and dogs alike will be celebrated with a picnic today, when past and current volunteers join officials from the Humane Society and the state division of probation and parole. The picnic will be held at the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, 2536 Boutin Drive, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In the event of rain, the event will be moved to Cape County Park South, Shelter 3.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

2536 Boutin Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.