Hearts and Hands

Volunteer While You Sleep!

When Kathy Betts, a second grade teacher from Hemet, California came to Best Friends, she wasn't looking to adopt a new pet, but she wanted some special time with the animals. So, the staff at Dogtown invited her to take one of the dogs back to her cabin for a sleepover. She chose Montana (pictured).

Sleepovers are fun for visitors, and a real benefit for the dogs, since it helps the staff get a better idea of how they'll fare in a home environment.

Best Friends behaviorist Sherry Woodard says that during sleepovers volunteers may notice a need for training or a medical condition that's been overlooked, and they can testify to the dog's behavior in a one-on-one situation - behavior that may be very different from when they're around their Dogtown friends.

"Some people like to take one of the dogs on as a special project," says Sherry. "It's a big help in getting them ready to go to a permanent home."

Not surprisingly, sleepovers often end up as adoptions.

Montana came to Best Friends with dominance issuess and a talent for escaping. She was featured in Best Friends magazine, and here on the website, but had no luck finding a home. She tried sleepovers, but still no luck.

"Everybody who took Montana for a sleepover said how well-behaved she was and how perfect she was even with kids," Sherry recalls. "Yet, unlike with other dogs, each time they brought Montana back they said they couldn't adopt her."

Kathy wasn't planning to adopt, either. "I have a dog already," she said.

But the next day, she announced, "Montana kept me up all night licking my face. We walked a lot, and during those walks, I fell in love. She was so well-behaved and wanted to please me so much that she just stole my heart. She'll be a perfect companion for Sassafras, my 10-month-old Lab mix.

"My friends, Sami Blake and Kathy Fuller and I loved it here at Best Friends. And," she says, hugging Montana, "these 'sleepovers' are great!"

Montana agrees.

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