The Humane Society of Harford County needed balls for dogs at the shelter to play with, and Harford County schools responded.
Aberdeen HIgh, Aberdeen Middle, Bel Air High, Center for Educational Opportunity, Edgewood Middle and Hickory Elementary agreed to support the organization.
Humane Society volunteer Pamela Cobo reached out to HCPS with a need for toys for the dogs, "I am so grateful to HCPS for agreeing to share their used basketball and soccer balls with the pups. I hope to be able to continue this collaboration for many years to come.”
Physical Education teachers and students at the schools took inventory of their athletic balls, gathered the unusable ones and donated those to the Humane Society.
Now more than 50 basketballs and soccer balls are being put to good use by dogs in need of play time, "Daily walks and physical activity, such as playing with a soccer ball or basketball, provide dogs with physical and mental stimulation,” said Cat Kelly, shelter operations director at the Humane Society. “Playtime at the shelter has an important role in relieving boredom and stress, which can make a major difference in a dog’s daily life.”