Dane County Humane Society

As we continue celebrating the Ridglan Farms beagles finding their new homes, we also want to recognize two more teams who played a huge role in supporting the dogs during their time at DCHS: our Care Staff and Canine Behavior Team (CBT).

Our Care Staff worked tirelessly every day to provide feeding, cleaning, enrichment, monitoring, and hands-on care for the beagles staying at DCHS. They kept a close eye on each dog’s medical and behavioral wellbeing and helped ensure concerns were quickly addressed, including adjusting the environment when dogs needed a different setup to feel more comfortable. From stuffed Kongs to clean kennels, cozy bedding, and compassionate daily care, their work helped create a calmer and more supportive environment for these dogs.

Shelter environments can be challenging for dogs to navigate, even without the kind of history these beagles had experienced before arriving at DCHS. While their time here was always meant to be a temporary stop on the way to their next chapter, our CBT focused on making that experience as low-stress and supportive as possible.

CBT approached every dog as an individual, using Fear Free practices and giving dogs choices rather than pushing them beyond what they were ready for. Sometimes that meant a session focused on building trust with yummy treats at the kennel door instead of forcing a dog to go outside before they felt comfortable.

The team continually assessed each dog’s behavior and mental wellbeing, paired many of the dogs with companions for comfort and support, and helped these dogs begin learning that humans could be a source of safety and good things.

This was an incredibly unique situation, and both teams approached it with compassion, patience, flexibility, and incredible heart. Their dedication helped these dogs feel safer, more comfortable, and better prepared for their next chapter.

Please help us give our Care Staff and CBT a huge round of applause in the comments!