Therapy Dogs... Love Heals
Dogs have worked for centuries; people have valued them for their skills in hunting, herding, guarding and retrieving. But a dog's most valuable skill is his ability to bring cheer, calm and comfort to people who could not otherwise enjoy the pleasure of owning a dog, people in hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions. It takes a special personality, both in dogs and in people to succeed at this valuable activity.
Life in an institutional setting can be dreary for patients; thus, a dog's visits can be special. Patients have something to look forward to if a dog and handler make regularly scheduled visits. Many patients, whether children, elderly people, or people with disabilities, do not get enough of the basic human need to be physically touched. Dogs help fill this need.

A therapy dog's visit can bring some people's wandering minds back to the present. Remembering is a good mental exercise, and one benefit of the dog's visit is that it helps stimulate memories.

Health care professionals are very enthusiastic about therapy dogs, and psychological studies have shown the positive benefits from interaction between people and dogs. Medical studies have shown that stroking a dog (or cat) can lower a person's blood pressure and reduce stress.

What makes a good therapy dog? A therapy dog must interact in a friendly manner with strangers, be easy to handle and show no aggression towards people or other dogs. A good therapy dog accepts all kinds of people, men, women, children and people of all races. All therapy dogs need conditioning to touch. A big part of their job involves approaching patients so the patients can pet them. It is important that the dog associates touch with love. Working with a therapy dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences in which a person can be involved.

Ardmore Animal Care, Inc. Animal Shelter regularly visit nursing homes, assisted living centers, retirement centers, rehab facilities, and hospitals with pets for patient therapy. Volunteers are always needed to help with this worthwhile program. If you are interested in participating in pet therapy visits, please contact the animal shelter at 223-7070.

Visits are scheduled at no charge.

Education is in the fun

We offer educational programs for children of all ages concerning the responsibilities of pet ownership, animal care, careers, how to play with pets, and bite prevention. Our speakers are available to present informative programs to schools, daycares, civic organizations, churches and other groups in the community and we always enjoy the opportunity to "show off" our animals and staff with tours of our facility.  Just call us to make an appointment for your group or organization.

Pet Cemetery and Cremations

Ardmore Animal Care, Inc. owns and operates a pet cemetery in Ardmore on Rancho Lane. A cemetery plot and burial cost is $150.00 and a headstone is $50.00. Arrangements can be made by calling our shelter at 580-223-7070.

We also own and operate a crematorium on the shelter grounds.  Private and communal cremations are available.  Private cremations cost $50.00 to $100.00 depending on the pet's size.  Communal cremations are $25.00 to $45.00.  Arrangements can be made by bringing your deceased pet to our shelter at 321 Carol Brown Blvd. or by calling 580-223-7070.

                                              (A plastic urn is provided for all private cremations)                                                         

Animal Foster Parents

We need loving foster parents for animals that are not available for adoption due to an injury, unweaned, or any number of curable reasons are often given a chance by loving foster parents. By becoming a foster parent, you provide temporary housing and care for those animals that may need a little more special attention until they become adoptable.   A litter of puppies or kittens less than six weeks old, the dog or cat that needs time to recover from an injury or minor illness all benefit from fostering.   By taking foster animals into your home, you also take on certain responsibilities.   You will need to feed, shelter, and love the animal(s) for a designated period.   To help you with your foster care, Ardmore Animal Shelter will provide food and veterinary care for the animal(s).   We want the process to be as smooth and easy as possible, for you and the pet(s) and at any time during your foster period, if you need assistance, feel free to call us, come by, or return the animal(s) to our shelter.

Adopt-a-thons

We often take our adoptable residents "off site" for adoption.   We try to attend city functions and special events with our animals, hopefully, to find some of our homeless pets loving homes.   Maybe this way, we reach a few people we would not normally see.   We always offer a discount on the adoption fee at adopt-a-thons and have plenty of animal educational information available. Volunteers are always needed to help with adopt-a-thons.  

We offer training classes for the public to attend with their dog.   The one hour plus classes start on the first Monday of the month and continue for the following four Monday's at 6:00 pm during the following months; January, February, April, June, July, and October.  The cost is free for any dog adopted from our shelter and $30.00 for others.   The agility workshop is a $20.00 annual membership fee.  

Puppy Kindergarten - 6:00 pm in January, April, June, and October.  This class is for puppies between 2 and 5 months old that have received all vaccines for their appropriate age.  Please bring your puppy, a flat or snap collar, a 6-foot leash, soft treats, and a water bowl.

Beginner Obedience - 7:30 pm in January, April, June, and October and 6:00 & 7:00 pm in February and July.  This class is for dogs over 6 months of age and teaches basic obedience and manners such as walking on a leash, sit, down, wait, stop, come when called, leave it, and how to socialize with other dogs and their handlers.  Please have your dog wear a buckle collar and leash, bring soft treats, and a water bowl.

Intermediate Obedience - 9:00 pm in January, February, April, June, July, and October.  This class is for dogs who have completed Beginner Obedience Class and teaches controlled walking, figure 8, stand for exam, off leash work, recall, finish, 3 minutes down stay as a group, 1 minute sit stay as a group, and testing.  Please have your dog wear a buckle collar and a 6-foot leash (no halters) and bring a water bowl.

Canine Good Citizen - this class will be held in March and August.  This class is to certify dogs that have good manners.  It stresses responsible pet ownership and basic manners in dogs.  All dogs that pass the test are recorded in the AKC Canine Good citizen Archive and receive a certificate from AKC.

Agility Class - is a workshop where your pet will learn to safely run and perform our fenced agility course.  It is located on the shelter grounds.   After completing this workshop you and your pet can visit our agility course anytime at your own convenience.  Classes are available upon demand.

An enrollment form can be printed from our information page.

       Just print it, fill it out, and return it (with any fee) to Ardmore Animal Shelter by fax, mail, or in person at least several days before classes begin.

Fax 580-226-7737

Mail 321 Carol Brown Blvd, Ardmore, OK  73401

Training classes are instructed by Loretta "Cricket" Anoatubby.