BY KARI KUH

DBCHS

Our pets of the week are Flash and Floya. Once, they were just stray dogs wandering loose on the streets, and now they’re safe and well-cared for in our Mutts With Manners program at the Northpoint Training Center in Burgin, KY (Northpoint Trained Canines Program).

DBCHS’s Mutts With Manners program matches carefully screened prison inmates with a shelter dog for six weeks.

During their stay, Flash, Floya, and our other Mutts With Manners dogs learn basic obedience led by our professional trainer, Cheri Carbone. The inmates and the dogs live together in the prison dormitory and attend weekly training sessions. Even throughout COVID lockdowns, training continued. For the last year, Cheri has been doing Zoom sessions with the dogs and their inmate trainers!

Cheri, a small but mighty team of volunteers, and the inmates provide the dogs with the structure they need to adapt to a traditional home. The dogs receive one-on-one companionship and opportunities for socialization, behavior modification, and plenty of love.

In the end, the dogs participating in the program graduate with a wealth of valuable skills. Mutts With Manners are confident, well behaved, and ready to start a new life with a loving family.

Flash (formerly known as Axel) is a handsome mixed-breed dog who was adopted once and returned through no fault of his own. This 4-and-a-half-year-old loves to be with his people and was exhibiting separation anxiety. Since joining the training program, Flash has become accustomed to chilling his crate and has learned that he can be safe and relaxed when left alone. He’s got a happy-go-lucky outlook, a hearty appetite for fun, and will make an excellent addition to any home.

Take just one look into Floya’s big, brown, expressive eyes, and you’ll be mesmerized. Floya (formerly known as Luna) is a gorgeous mixed-breed dog around 1-and-a-half years old. For a pup on the younger side, this pretty gal is calm, patient, and laid-back. She adapted to training quickly and has learned many basic commands, but she didn’t need to learn how to be sweet – that comes naturally! Floya will be a friendly and easygoing companion for any family.

Both Flash and Floya are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on vaccinations, microchipped, and ready to go home! If you’re interested in adopting Flash, Floya, or another Mutts With Manners dog, please visit https://www.dbchs.org/muttswithmannersdogs to complete an online application.  If you seem to be a good fit for one of our Mutts, a volunteer will contact you to schedule a meet-and-greet.

The Danville-Boyle County Humane Society is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) established in 1972 that promotes the humane treatment of animals through compassionate care, engagement, and support. To donate, please visit DBCHS.org/give or mail a check to DBCHS P.O. Box 487, Danville, KY 40423-0487. We’re grateful for every contribution!