A video of a shelter dog enjoying a day away from the stressful kennel environment quickly captured the internet’s heart, proving the power of a day’s break.
Although dogs are resilient, living in animal shelters can still take a toll on their mental health. An article from the Princeton Foundation for Peace and Learning reported that shelter dogs suffer from anxiety and stress. The limited social interactions can make it challenging for them to trust or connect with potential adopters. Some canines might feel helplessness, unable to control the environment, with some becoming aggressive or hyperactive.
But even a brief break from the shelter can make a difference. A study published in PeerJ Life & Environment discovered that a canine’s cortisol level—a marker of stress—drops while on short-term sleepovers outside the shelter. Although their stress levels return to baseline once they go back, the experience gives them a chance to rest and recharge.
That’s exactly what happened to Ursa, a shelter dog showcased in TikTok user @zeezo312’s October 10 video. The dog’s “break for a day” included a long walk and playing outside for several hours, the woman told Newsweek via TikTok. They came home to relax, which is when Ursa made herself comfortable.
With her face smushed against the couch, Ursa fell asleep quickly. She wasted no time in loudly sharing her appreciation, as she snored the day away.
“In that moment, I was just thinking how peaceful and happy she looked,” she said. “It was like she felt safe and loved; you could see it in her smile. Her little paw resting on me felt like her way of saying thank you…[Dogs] deserve to feel that kind of comfort, even if just for a day.”
The Heartland Animal Shelter in Illinois website stated that Ursa first arrived at Chicago Animal Care and Control as a stray before being returned to her owner in March. However, she was brought in again in September. Now, Ursa awaits her forever family at Heartland.
Viewer Reactions
The TikTok video quickly melted hearts, and as of Tuesday, the clip had amassed over 388,000 views and 77,100 likes.
“She said, ‘Man, it’s quiet in here. I can finally rest,'” one person wrote.
Another added: “She doesn’t have to be on guard; finally sleep in peace.”
However, many people expressed their frustrations as the woman did not end up adopting Ursa.
“Giving her heaven and then taking her back to hell is soooooo wrong. It will break her heart and destroy her trust! They don’t know why you take them back, they just think they did something wrong,” a viewer commented.
The woman expressed that she is not in a position to keep Ursa long-term. She likes to help out as needed and knows these special outings can help the dogs over time.
Benefits of Doggy Field Trips
Animal shelters across the country allow volunteers to take the dogs on special field trips. These short-term trips might include visits to cafes or going on a hike.
The VCA Charities reported that these doggy day outs can reduce kennel stress, give overlooked dogs attention, improve morale across burned-out staff, increase the chance of getting adopted by five times, create better marketing material for the dogs to get noticed and learn more about the canines and their personalities to better match them with a forever family.
Plus, those who want to volunteer but might not have the time or money to foster can opt for these field trips for no cost.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Read the full article here
