Watching a volunteer slowly gain the trust of a scared shelter puppy in this video is the absolute best way to spend a few minutes today. Julie from @jsaraceno was recently at the Benton Franklin Humane Society in Kennewick, Washington, where she was helping little Poppy feel secure in a very loud environment. This tiny girl originally flinched at every single movement. However, Julie, being a dedicated helper for local dogs, seemed to know just how to calm her down.
Shelter puppy gets a special toy for comfort when volunteer isn’t around
In the video, we see Julie filming and walking up to the kennel holding a new toy. Then she opens the door and offers it to a skeptical Poppy while she stays in the back. This reaction is common for a dog who hasn’t seen much of the world. Next, the volunteer enters and sits on the elevated bed in Poppy’s kennel. Via the on-screen texts, she conveys that she has given Poppy the toy for comfort because she will be away recovering from surgery.
Julie then moves her sleeves up carefully to offer some scritches, but that move makes Poppy flinch for a second. Then she realizes these hands are only there to help her feel safe. Curiosity eventually takes over as the dog leans in to give the toy a good sniff. She even gives Julie a tiny kiss on her chin.
It is a big step forward for this shelter puppy. Julie stays calm throughout the entire visit, and the little girl eventually rests her face right in her lap. She looks so relaxed, and the loud noises of the kennel don’t matter while they cuddle.
At the end, Julie leaves the toy behind so Poppy has comfort when she is alone. The puppy loved the gift, but she clearly preferred the volunteer much more. She spends the final moments of the visit leaning into a big hug. It is tough to see the door close at the end, but the progress they made is incredible. Everyone is hoping this sweet girl finds her forever home by the time Julie returns.
