Overview:

The Cherokee County Humane Society working in conjunction with the Cherokee County Animal Shelter to better facilitate the adoption of dogs.  The program pairs volunteers and dogs with the goal being to teach the dog basic obedience (sit, stay, no jumping and walking well on a leash are the main objectives).  With this training in hand (or paw) the dogs become more adoptable and less likely to be returned for behavioral issues. 

History:

In 2000, an innovative program was launched at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter that paired dog-loving volunteers with a shelter dog in order to teach basic obedience in order to make the dog more adoptable.  This program was created and led by the late Howard Underwood, a professional dog trainer.  Volunteers for this program were provided by the Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS), which was managing the shelter at the time.  The program garnered national attention and was featured on CNN. 

For his efforts, Mr. Underwood was named the 2000 CCHS Volunteer of the year and later became the Chairman of the Board of Directors for CCHS.  Mr. Underwood passed away late in 2001 from complications of a ruptured ulcer.  The volunteers were so devastated by Howard’s sudden passing that the program was put on indefinite hold.  Since then, the shelter management has passed from the CCHS back to Cherokee County. 

Beginning in April 2003 volunteers, organized by Gina Carr, began meeting at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter on Saturday mornings for a couple of hours and re-established the Doggie U program.  The program continues today with a group of dedicated and caring volunteers, organized by Bob & Beth O’Brien.  During the past 11 + months we have seen hundreds of dogs come through the program with the majority successfully being adopted.