Enrichment Training
Launched in 2016, the Pawtastic Friends Enrichment Training Scholarship Program has been transforming the lives of homeless rescue dogs—and giving animal lovers around the world a chance to make a direct impact. 🌍❤️
Through this program, sponsors can enroll a homeless rescue dog into specialized training designed to help them become adoptable faster. Many of these dogs come from less-than-ideal situations, but with the right support and guidance, they are given a second chance at life. 🐶✨
Our hand-picked professional trainers work closely with each dog, offering sessions that include:
🔹 Socialization to build confidence and trust 🤝
🔹 Basic commands for good manners 🐾
🔹 Agility course training to boost both mental and physical health 🏃♂️
🔹 Aquatic therapy for healing and strength 💦
But that’s not all! After each session, sponsors receive updates with photos and progress reports, allowing you to be part of your sponsored dog’s journey to their happily ever after. 🏡📸
Join us in changing lives, one paw at a time! 🐾💖
Here are five ways you can change a dogs' life for the better:
1. Adopt or Foster: Adopting a shelter dog is a huge way to make an impact on a dog's life. But even if you're not ready to commit to a lifetime of love just yet, you can get a trial run by fostering.
2. Sponsor a Dog: If you're unable to take home a dog of your own right now, consider sponsoring a Pawtastic Friends pup. Training at the center increases their chances of a successful adoption. https://www.pawtasticfriends.com/sponsor-a-dog
3. Volunteer: Pawtastic Friends is always in need of volunteers.
Sign up today! https://www.pawtasticfriends.com/volunteer
4. Donate: Pawtastic Friends Enrichment Training Center costs a lot of money to operate.
Support the homeless dogs of Las Vegas with a donation.
https://www.pawtasticfriends.com/donate-give
5. Spread the Word: Thanks to social media, getting the word out about adoptable dogs has never been easier. By simply sharing dogs in need on your Facebook wall, you're helping those pups get seen and shared by others. https://www.facebook.com/PawtasticFriends
Proud member of the
The Smell of Success
Max, aka Hot Rod, found his way into a local shelter many years ago. He quickly became a volunteer favorite with his charming personality and pleasant disposition. That’s when we first met. It was heartbreaking to see how long Max and so many others were waiting for forever homes. That’s what inspired the Enrichment Scholarship Program.
He was one of the very first scholars in the program and was eager to learn. Quite the gentleman, he built a solid foundation of skills to set him up for success. He was adopted out a couple times but kept finding his way back in to the shelter system and kennel life. His spirit was broken and there was defeat in his eyes, but dedicated volunteers loved him and nurtured him every day until he was adopted, yet again. We all hoped this would finally be his happily ever after, but sadly it was not. He found himself quarantined in another state.
The thought of him all alone facing an uncertain future was unbearable. So, we reached out to our wonderful partners at Friends for Life for help. After many calls and conversations, he was released to their care and volunteers traveled to bring him home. He joined the Enrichment Training Program once again, training twice a week while he settled in to the Friends for Life family. Max waited and waited, and then one day it was his turn. Sadly for a fourth time, due to the pandemic, he found himself back in rescue. He was still the same charming, handsome, larger than life dog, but he had slowed down with age. He resumed his spot in training and once again we worked hard to renew his spirit, as kennel life can be stressful. He continued to go to adoption events and waited until a wonderful family said `he’s the one' and now he is living the life he always deserved.
There are many stories just like Max’s full of heart break, despair and close calls. The Enrichment Training Program has helped renew spirits, build confidence, and train pups like Max to be the best they can be. It gives them the opportunity to shine and reach their potential. Max is a perfect example of a misunderstood dog that needed a little hope and a village that wouldn’t give up!
