The Cutest Tour In Town
by Dr. Steven Hansen, Arizona Humane Society President & CEO
Since 1957, the Arizona Humane Society (AHS), has been dedicated to saving the lives of the Valley’s most vulnerable pets. With almost 22,000 sick, injured and abused animals cared for in the shelter’s trauma hospital and specialized ICUs last year alone, the opening of AHS’s Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus could not come at a more purrrfect time.
Almost 10 years in the making, the state-of-the-art, hospital-forward building located off the Loop 202 and Van Buren Street in Phoenix expands AHS’s lifesaving programs and provides a wider safety net for pets with nowhere else to turn. The 72,000-square-foot campus allows AHS to offer comprehensive medical interventions in a world-class animal trauma hospital paired with behavioral care for pets at a level not seen in the United States.
Designed to be one of the most transparent animal welfare facilities in the nation, those who are curious about the niche role AHS plays are welcome to tour the gorgeous campus and see the lifesaving efforts first-hand. Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., AHS offers two paw-some ways to see its Papago Park Campus and perhaps even fall in love with a new furry friend!
Self-Guided Tour – Stroll at Your Own Pace!
• Start the tour by grabbing a campus map from the welcome desk and a delicious latte or snack at the in-house Echo Coffee Shop, where a portion of the proceeds goes back to AHS’s homeless pets!
• Self-guided tours are directed by the many interactive displays, wayfinding signs and color-coded maps that line the shelter’s halls.
• Get an unparalleled look into the facility’s revolutionary BISSELL Pet Foundation Spay & Neuter Unit where you can view live surgeries as AHS’s pets make their last stop on their way to the adoption floor.
• Last but not least: See some of the Valley’s most adorable dogs, cats and critters as they wait for their forever homes!
Guided Tour – Hear from an Expert!
• In addition to all the self-guided tour has to offer, this option gives you exclusive access to the campus in its entirety.
• Attendees will receive a behind-the-scenes experience, getting an unparalleled look into the facility’s revolutionary Lazin Animal Foundation Trauma Hospital, Susan & Mark Mulzet Parvo ICU, Withycombe Family Mutternity Suites and many more lifesaving areas!
• Perfect for scout groups, school trips, clubs, work outings and more!
Whether you elect to take a self-guided tour or prefer to hear directly from an AHS ambassador, one thing is certain: you will be inspired! To learn more about touring AHS’ Papago Park Campus, visit azhumane.org/tours.
Fun for Kids of All Ages (Fur Children Included)
by Jennifer Armbruster
While known for caring for, rehabilitating and adopting thousands of homeless pets in our community, the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) is also dedicated to fostering the next generation of compassionate pet lovers and helping keep pets in homes. AHS’s award-winning youth programs and expert guided dog training courses, hosted at its centrally located Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus, are designed for kids of all ages and pups of every skill level!
Youth Programs
With a wide variety of programs and camps for kids/teens ages 5-17, AHS’s educational animal adventures are designed to inspire compassion toward pets and engage young minds with fun, hands-on activities.
Camps for Every Season
With a whole lineup of animal youth camps offered year-round, these hands-on camps teach kids how to train and care for animals, be responsible pet guardians, align their choices with their values and make our community a safer and more compassionate place for all animals.
Fun Fact
AHS’s Summer Camp programs are the recipient of the American Camp Association’s National Eleanor P. Eells for Program Excellence Award!
Fostering Youth Leadership
AHS’s Humane Teens program is a unique youth leadership program for teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 who are interested in animal welfare, accruing service hours and gaining the following skills:
• Training in animal handling
• Help lead youth programs and presentations
• Assist with the daily care of exotic animals and homeless pets
• Gain mentorship, leadership and career discovery experience
Reading fur Fun
Designed for children who love animals but are not quite old enough to volunteer, this adorable program helps students practice their reading skills while teaching AHS’s adoptable pets important socialization skills while awaiting their forever homes!
Additional information on these youth programs and many more can be found at azhumane.org/youth.
Dog Training Classes
One of the best ways to help keep pets in their loving homes is through strengthening the human-animal bond. Training courses offered at AHS’s Papago Park Campus not only have the potential to teach your pet lifesaving skills but are also an incredible way to increase understanding between owners and their pups while helping them become happier and healthier through socialization.
• Calling All Pups: From Puppy Parties to agility courses and even a brand-new Snake Avoidance Class, there truly are dog training courses for every dog’s individual needs!
• Keep It Paw-sitive: AHS’s certified dog trainers use positive reinforcement, force-free, and science-based methods to get the best results with dogs of all ages and breeds.
• Adoption Discount: AHS adopters receive 10% off any dog training class!
In addition to its in-person training courses, AHS also offers private in-home lessons, virtual pet training and behavior consultations for both dogs and cats! Learn more or sign up for a class at azhumane.org/training.
A Dog’s Day Out!
by Kelsey Dickerson
It is not uncommon for Arizona Humane Society (AHS) employees to hear from pet lovers who want to help homeless pets but are unable to adopt. While there is never a shortage of lovable pets who are in need of forever homes, there are many incredible ways to help AHS’s homeless pets that don’t necessarily involve adopting!
Doggy Field Trips
In an effort to help its adoptable pups get out of the kennels more often, AHS has launched a Doggy Field Trip Program. This innovative volunteer initiative has many great benefits for pets and people alike while enjoying a day out on the town.
Short Trips = Forever Families
In just a few short months, this program has shown to help increase the chances of adoption for the dogs that participate – especially long-timers, or dogs who have spent more than 15 days on the adoption floor looking for their forever home.
The dogs benefit tremendously from a change of scenery, extra socialization and a chance to have some straight-up fun. Thanks to a very cute “Adopt Me” vest, this is also an awesome opportunity to show off a sweet pup in a more natural environment.
• Whether a passerby falls in love in person or the field trip volunteer’s social posts boost their cute selves to the interwebs, there are many examples of dogs finding their forever homes within days of participating in a field trip.
Stress Less
Although AHS works to make its shelters as stress-free as possible, studies show that even a few hours outside of the kennels can help dogs feel calmer.
• On the opposite end of the leash, being around pets can help people reduce stress, anxiety and depression, especially knowing you are helping a homeless pet in need.
Explore More
Take one of AHS’s adoptable dogs out on a fun outing, such as a hike (when it’s cool out), a coffee date or a meal at a pet-friendly location!
• Whether it’s a local favorite of yours or a park you have always wanted to visit, this program is a wonderful way to explore the Valley with a four-legged friend.
Learn more about AHS’s volunteer opportunities and sign-up for a Doggy Field Trip at azhumane.org/volunteer!
Treat Your Pets (and Yourself)
by Joe Casados
When looking for a fun outing for your two or four-legged family members, the Arizona Humane Society’s Rob & Melani Walton Papago Park Campus offers unique opportunities to treat everyone in the family while giving back to AHS’s sick, injured and abused pets.
Enjoy a Cup o’ Joe
As a part of its innovative and community-friendly design, the new campus includes its own Echo Coffee Shop conveniently located in the Jamie L. Middleton Welcome Lobby.
• With a delicious assortment of refreshing drinks and delicious snack options, you can enjoy your little treat that much more knowing that 1% of all sales are donated to AHS’s homeless pets.
Shopping Spurrrr-ee
From trendy and cute clothing to fun and necessary items for your furry friends, enjoy a guilt-free shopping experience in AHS’s Petique Store!
• Treating the pets and pet-lovers in your life has never been more rewarding than when shopping at this unique location, as 100% of the proceeds go directly back to the shelter’s lifesaving efforts!
To learn more about how you can help AHS’ homeless pets, visit azhumane.org
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