Training and Enrichment Stories

Gray and white cat looking intently at a Christmas tree

Why cats love Christmas trees and how to keep them safe

Learn from Best Friends cat behavior expert Samantha Bell why many cats are obsess...
Set your cat up for success
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Dog licking a whisk

Baked goods for some good dogs

A spoonful of kindness, a handful of treats, and a whole lot of wagging tails are ...
Tasty new volunteer opportunity is for the dogs
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Two yellow, orange and green parrots, with one holding a nugget of food in her foot

Happy hour gives parrots a taste of the wild

At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, parrot happy hour serves up choice — and a treat...
Making foraging fun
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Keala Richter sitting on the ground beside Phoenix and Thumbelina the rabbits

Skittish bunny goes from panic to peace

Phoenix came to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary scared of pretty much everything. Bu...
And now he's helping another bunny buddy
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Multiple horses in a grassy field with red rock formations in the background

When horses are the teachers

Working with horses at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary fosters trust, healing, and c...
Demonstrations are as much for the animals as the visitors
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Garcon the parrot with wings outstretched taking a shower

Rescued parrots find joy in the great outdoors

At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, parrots step into the sunshine for a summertime ...
They soak up sunshine and showers
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Dog standing in a pool of water with his tongue out

Dogs cool off at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

From cannonballs to cautious dips, the pups at Dogtown are soaking up summer — one...
See a video of them in action
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Person shaking hands with a brown dog behind a sign that says, Summer Skool

Meet Dogtown’s canine summer school stars

Dogs are sliding, splashing, and climbing their way to confidence during summer sc...
Learning can be fun
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Didgeri and Didgeridoo the dogs lying next to each other on a couch

Faces of No-Kill: ‘Twin’ bestie helps dog heal

Twinning in looks and now in spirit, two dogs at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary pro...
A remarkable coincidence when everything changed
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Rydell the German shepherd mix with his tongue out being scratched on the hind end by a person

Faces of No-Kill: Water-loving pooch finds his flow

Rydell made a splash during training sessions at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary — a...
He just needed structure and patience
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Boo the dog wearing a red bow tie collar with a winter background

How training one dog inspired shelter-wide change

Boo’s successful training plan sparked a shift in a rural Arkansas shelter that wi...
All interactions with animals are learning opportunities
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Annie the dog on a large cushion with two children who are smiling and holding tablets

Faces of No-Kill: Shelter dog now living on easy street

Annie overcame her challenges with time, support, and lots of broccoli....
She continues to make amazing progress
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Licorice the cat lying on a blanket

The magic of one very lucky black cat

At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, caregivers turn mobility challenges into magic f...
Living a charmed life
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Kansas and Twister, the merle-patterned dogs, standing on sand

A remarkable dog friendship built on trust and treats

A blind dog and deaf dog enjoy the good life in their home-between-homes at Best F...
They're perfect complements to each other
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A couple adventure buddy program participants with a pug wearing a bandanna

Adventures abound for adoptable dogs

Dogs from the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in L.A. share fun-filled outings to...
Adventuring with purpose
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