HAWS creates K9 Task Force for long-term animals in their care

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) announced they've created a life-saving task force to help reduce stress in resident dogs and enhance their time spent in the shelter. 

Assistance has been provided by a grant from Best Friends Animal Society. 

According to a news release from HAWS, a number of facility-wide interventions are now in place to strategically improve the lives of dogs in HAWS' care, specifically those residents who have a longer stay at the shelter. These normally medium and large dogs have limited training prior to being surrendered, and can take longer to rehome. 

HAWS says the K9 Task Force is responsible for creating and implementing an individual enrichment/management plan for each dog in their care, with an emphasis on those dogs that remain at the shelter for longer periods. The group is designed to support shelter residents through tailored enrichment, field trips, environmental modification, medical intervention and more as needed. 

Overall goals include improved quality of life, increased desired behaviors and skills that ease the transition from shelter life to home life.