Corky and Mindy : An Animal Shelter Success Story

I had just started as a volunteer at Green Hills Animal Shelter in Trenton, Mo. when they came. Two scared, skinny, dirty, and matted little dogs. Could we turn these two terrified little ones into happy, healthy, adoptable pets?

There's a lot more that goes into socializing a dog than one might think. And I realize that a lot people might not see much going on in parts of this video. But trust me, there is. Every movement means something, on both the dog's part and the person doing the socializing.

I didn't think of taking video until I had been working with them for a little while, so I don't have footage of those first days when Mindy stayed curled up in the corner of the crate and Corky stayed pressed against her growling, protecting them both. But that's OK, because I got all of the joyful moments on record. First steps out of the crate, first walk on a leash, grooming day, obedience class graduation. And of course, adoption.

Green Hills Animal Shelter had only recently opened and didn't have a foster program in place yet. Many shelters wouldn't have taken the time, space, and resources to rehabilitate dogs so severely unsocialized. I am grateful to Green Hills for not giving up on them.

Corky and Mindy : An Animal Shelter Success Story

Starring -
Mindy/Gracie
Corky
Meghan - myself, volunteer handler
Lady - Corky's walking buddy
Connie - Mindy's adopter
Heather - Corky's adopter
Elvis - Corky's new friend
Music Provided By www.freeplaymusic.com

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Corky
• and
• Mindy
• dog
• unsocialized
• dogs
• socializing
• socialization
• unsocialization
• timid
• shy
• scared
• afraid
• shelter
• animal
• rescue
• work
• behavior
• behavioral
• modification
• green
• hills
• trenton
• mo
• missouri
• training
• train
• trainer
• handler
• volunteer
• volunteering
• frightened
• terrified
• neglect
• abuse

[uldiah]

I'm VERY impressed with your work here! You should be proud of what you have accomplished. And the video was well made as well. With your social anxiety, did you have problems with the group training? I would have!

[sistercarrie]

@uldiah Thank you so much for watching my movie. I'm going to get my own page on the shelter website so I can keep people updated on the dogs that have issues & whatnot. I'll also get to put articles on animal behavior, shelter stuff, stories (which I already do for their newsletter) & let the public know what we need in the way of donations for the animals mental health. My movie will be on it. I can't wait to get started. My new life goal is to become a certified pet dog trainer.

[dogtigger93]

omg mindy came out of her cage when i got my 1st hamster