Menands – Today, the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society (MHHS) and CDPHP celebrated National Dog Walker Appreciation Day with the announcement of a three-year sponsorship to fund supplies for the Society’s dog walking program. The gift will provide quality essentials for volunteers and approximately 1,000 shelter pups each year, including Martingale collars, leashes, waste bags, shirts, identification lanyards, and “I’m Available” vests for dogs to wear on field trips.
Both organizations see the collaboration as a perfect fit for their missions. The positive impacts of interacting with animals are well documented. According to the CDC, health benefits include increased opportunities to exercise, get fresh air, and socialize with friends. Regular walking or playing with pets decreases blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels. The companionship of animals has also been found to help manage loneliness and depression.
“CDPHP has long respected the work MHHS does as an organization, and I am thrilled that we found a way to partner to help both shelter animals and volunteers live their healthiest lives,” said Victoria Hostig, director of community relations for CDPHP. “We encourage anyone interested in volunteering to contact MHHS as soon as possible. Your head, heart, and the animals will thank you!”
On the animal side, exercise and socialization provide enrichment that is vital to keeping shelter pups both physically and mentally healthy. In 2021, MHHS volunteers devoted a total of 20,940 total hours, and more than 7,200 hours (or 34%) specifically to the task of dog walking.
“Our volunteer dog walking program is extremely important to the well-being of our pups. We couldn’t
provide as much of this enriching activity without the dedication of our incredible volunteer team,” said Ashley Jeffrey Bouck, CEO of MHHS. “This sponsorship provides the necessary tools for walkers to interact safely with the dogs while here, and also allows us to send adopters home with a reliable collar.”
To learn about dog walking and other volunteer opportunities at MHHS, visit mohawkhumane.org.
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About Mohawk Hudson Humane Society
This year marks the 135th anniversary of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society (MHHS). MHHS is the largest animal protection agency in the Capital Region and serves as the SPCA for Albany and Rensselaer Counties, investigating and prosecuting cases of animal cruelty and neglect. In an effort to keep pets with the families who love them, MHHS provides resources for pet owners, including low-cost spay/neuter and wellness care, a pet food pantry, training and behavior help and more. The Society is funded primarily by donations, receives no ongoing local, state or federal government funding, nor does it receive funding from any national humane groups. For more information, contact (518) 434-8128 or visit www.mohawkhumane.org.
About CDPHP®
Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused and community-based not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality affordable health insurance plans to members in 29 counties throughout New York. CDPHP is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram