Mutt Strutters is an outdoor volunteer program that involves walking the shelter dogs on County property such as Alice P. Keene Park or the Farmer's Market. It is proven that exercise reduces anxiety in nearly every type of dog, especially shelter dogs where walks are part of the necessary enrichment that kenneled dogs need. Physical activity also improves the mental, physical and emotional health of human walkers.
Volunteers meet daily Monday-Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at the Animal Shelter. Please note, new volunteers must go through orientation before walking shelter dogs with either Melanie or another authorized Mutt Strutter. Leashes, harnesses, collars and waste bags are provided. Dog treat donations are welcomed. Dogs that are walked are thrilled to receive a treat or two!
You may sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4aafab23a0f9c70-daily?useFullSite=true#/
The program was developed in partnership with PCAS as a for-credit service-learning fitness walking class by Dr. Melanie Sartore-Baldwin, Associate Professor of Kinesiology at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. The Mutt Stutters provide much-needed enrichment and socialization for the shelter dogs allowing them to become more adoptable, and allows volunteers to give back to the community and become advocates for shelter animals.