LANCASTER, Pa. -- If you’re a dog person, the Pennsylvania SPCA in Lancaster might have a program just for you. It’s a program called “Pupventures,” where volunteers can take dogs on a field trip.
“They get to see the dogs in a happier environment, where they are less barky, less stressed and they're just like a normal dog,” said Rachel Golub, Pennsylvania SPCA Lancaster Site Manager.
Christina Via of Lancaster added, "We just sat at Buchanan Park and he [Oreo] seriously just rolled around in the sun. It was just perfect."
Whether you're taking the pup to a hiking trail, nature preserve or a few pet-friendly restaurants, the program is an amazing opportunity to get the dogs out and about for three to four hours.
“To be honest, just helping," Lancaster resident Sarah Bair said. "You know, it fulfills me in a way that that other things can't."
The time away from the SPCA gives the staff time to clean the pens and helps to reduce kennel stress so the dogs come back more relaxed and with a good wag.
“We love when we have, what we call, foster failures," Golub explained. "People come and they take them out for a little bit. They fall in love and they end up adopting."
For the inaugural event, 10 of 38 dogs had the chance to have some fun in the sun.
Volunteers for the SPCA can sign out the dogs Monday through Saturday starting at 9 a.m. and Sunday's beginning at 8 a.m.
You can sign up to volunteer here.