The body and the mind work together. If the body is not healthy, the mind is preoccupied. If the mind is not healthy, the body suffers. Ann Allums is one of our chief trainer/rehabilitators here at the sanctuary, and she says the body/mind connection is especially clear working with the Vicktory dogs:

"Every dog loves going onto the agility course. They love getting the attention and the rewards when working the agility equipment. And it's a socialization experience, too, for dogs who are trying to gain confidence. Some of them just want to run around and sniff the equipment at first. Others, like Ray, will run through the tunnel on their own just for fun!

"Agility courses provide new experiences and fun challenges for the dogs. And it helps raise dogs' confidence level when they successfully conquer an obstacle.

"We start with some basic training with the dogs: how to respond to their name and how to follow our hand to be guided to different places. Then we introduce each obstacle, one at a time, at each dog's individual pace. Sometimes we have to build on baby steps such as rewarding the dog simply for sniffing at the obstacle. We never force a dog to interact with the obstacle, because that might cause them to fear it.

"Almost every dog will jump on the platforms, which are box-like structures of different heights. We also have a barrel for the dogs to go through, a 10-foot tunnel, a teeter, jump, tire jump, and weave poles. There are different training steps for each of the obstacles, and for each of the dogs, since our training is customized for each dog."

Ann always makes it fun for the dogs. And they're gaining confidence every day.