Underdog Program
What is the Underdog Program?
Animal Haven's Underdog Program has two branches, Camp Underdog and Urban Underdog. We aim to reduce and mitigate shelter stress while providing training, rehabilitation, and enrichment to help prepare our dogs for their futures.
Shelter stress for dogs is inevitable, but by providing daily enrichment, breaks from kennels, and foundational training, we are able to minimize stressors and ensure their temporary stay with us is a positive one.
Overseen by a team of certified dog trainers, this program follows our rescued animals from the moment they enter our doors through the process of settling into their new homes.
Cherie, one of the founding Underdogs is doing great in her new home!
Monte loves his trips upstate to Camp Underdog!
Camp Underdog
Camp Underdog offers our long-term dogs the opportunity to embark on day trips outside of the city, where they can run, play, and explore to their heart's content under the care of our dedicated staff and volunteers. It's a chance for them to rejuvenate, experience new sights and smells, and simply be dogs outside of the shelter walls.
With your help, we can enrich their temporary stay at Animal Haven with amazing experiences they should expect once they find their future families.
Urban Underdog
Animal Haven has a dedicated space directly above the shelter, away from the noises, smells, and distractions that can typically hinder a dog's ability to truly relax in a shelter environment. Our dogs LOVE it and they have the opportunity to really let loose and decompress in a space only a stone's throw away from the shelter below.
Enhance the lives of our shelter dogs even further by providing them with more frequent training and enrichment opportunities and increased time away from their kennels on a day-to-day basis.
The large play area is perfect for solo-zoomies, group playdates, and guided training sessions with our team of trainers and staff.
Sadie, one of the founding Underdogs who has been adopted!
Want to support the
Underdog Program?
Shelter stress for long-term dogs is inevitable, no matter how enriched we make their day-to-day lives. But here at Animal Haven, we do everything we can to make their temporary stay with us feel a little brighter and more like home.
Your gift helps enrich the life of a long-term dog in the Underdog Program.
Chika loves training time - it means extra treats!
Effective, humane techniques
We have made a commitment to evidence-based, positive reinforcement training and handling methods free of force, fear, pain, or coercion. The most current scientific research supports humane, positive reinforcement training methods as the most effective method for modifying animal behavior from basic obedience to the most difficult cases.
Animal Haven’s Underdog Program includes:
Daily training and enrichment sessions
Daily training and enrichment sessions with behavioral staff to install basic obedience behaviors, impulse control and target behavior modification such as body handling, resource guarding and socialization. Sessions are designed to address the unique needs of each animal and to help prepare them for living in a home environment.
Curated outings and extended kennel breaks
Day outings and overnight trips outside of the city aim to give our dogs breaks from shelter life while giving them meaningful experiences away from their kennels. From trips to Camp Underdog in upstate New York to hikes on scenic trails out of the city, these outings refresh our dogs by giving them time away from the hustle and bustle of the city and shelter.
Advanced volunteer training
Advanced volunteer training that empowers Animal Haven’s army of volunteers to advocate for the animals, teaching them force-free handling skills and interpreting body language to assist in the animals’ holistic rehabilitation experience while in our care.
Counseling sessions
Counseling sessions with prospective adopters to encourage matches based on both the animals’ and adopters’ unique needs and lifestyles.
Resources and Support
Transitioning from the shelter to a home environment can be challenging for some dogs, but our team is ready to help. We provide resources and continued support for adopters after they’ve brought home their new pet.
Your support can transform lives.
Help more cats and dogs find their forever homes.