Our Open Paw initiative teaches shelter dogs and cats manners and skills that prepare them for successful adoptions and lasting homes. Open Paw promotes friendly interactions and desensitization to unfamiliar people, ensuring each animal is ready for life in a new family. We also equip our animals with vital social skills, including greeting people politely, choosing what items are appropriate to chew or scratch, housetraining, and leash walking. Our staff also gains valuable insights into each animal’s personality and behaviors through the daily handling and training of shelter animals, which helps us match pets with their perfect homes. We partner with (link) Run-N-Paw twice weekly to help with structured exercise programs specifically for our large-breed, high-energy dogs. You can learn more about Open Paw here: https://www.halifaxhumanesociety.org/program/open-paw/