New Year's Eve is often a time of celebration for many, but for our four-legged friends at the Dallas Animal Services (DAS), it can be a period of heightened stress due to the loud fireworks. To alleviate this, DAS is holding its Second Annual "Calming the Canines" event this December 31, from 10:30 p.m. to last past the stroke of midnight, until 1:30 a.m. The initiative encourages community members to spend time with animals at the shelter to help reduce their anxiety during the festive fireworks display.
The event, geared towards providing comfort to the shelter's pets, has already demonstrated success in its inaugural year, and a similar event held on July 4 gathered over 200 participants. As explained by Erika Bennett, Assistant General Manager of Shelter Programs at DAS, per the City of Dallas, "Seeing our community show up late at night, simply to sit with our pets, read to them, and offer quiet comfort is incredibly powerful." Bennett pointed out the unique struggle that shelter dogs face during such noisy celebrations and the profound impact of having individuals share their presence with them.
Volunteers and families are encouraged by DAS to bring along books, blankets, or even yoga mats to create a more relaxing atmosphere for both humans and animals. To ensure safety and proper interaction with the animals, there will be a brief orientation at the beginning of the event. Moreover, DAS will offer approved treats for the dogs and, while donations are not required, they are always welcome to provide ongoing support for the shelter's endeavors.
With the capacity of the parking lot being somewhat limited, DAS suggests arriving early and considering carpooling. This advice is aimed at facilitating a smoother check-in experience and maintaining a safe flow of visitor traffic. The shelter's staff and volunteers will be actively participating throughout the event to guide guests, while making sure that both the pets and humans have a safe, calm, and positive experience.
