Pizza Shop Rewards Wayne County Dog Shelter Volunteers

When Wayne County Dog Shelter found itself caring for double its capacity, a local pizza shop decided to serve up an unusual solution.

Your Pizza Shop in Wooster, Ohio is now offering free small pizzas to volunteers who complete a set number of visits at the Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center. The shelter currently houses more than 60 dogs and relies on about 150 volunteers to help with everything from kennel cleaning to socializing scared animals.

"They give the dogs interaction with new and different people, which is hugely important," said Shelter Technician Kate Mick. Some dogs arrive frightened, but volunteers help them learn trust through treats, gentle walks, and patient companionship.

The shelter especially needs male volunteers to work with dogs who may be hesitant around men due to past experiences. These volunteers play a crucial role in preparing animals for their forever homes.

For Tonia Rich, volunteering became a calling nearly nine years ago after she adopted her first shelter dog. "Adopting a dog from the shelter got me hooked on volunteering," Rich said. Watching the staff transform scared animals into confident, adoptable pets inspired her to keep coming back.

Sunny's Take

Angie Leeman, co-owner of Your Pizza Shop, launched the pizza program after discovering how meaningful shelter volunteering could be. "I never realized you could come here and just spend time with the dogs and help them become more adoptable," she said.

Leeman hopes the program will introduce new people to volunteering opportunities they didn't know existed. For her, it's a perfect way to support the shelter as a dog lover without bringing more pets home.

The initiative rewards dedicated volunteers while shining a spotlight on the shelter's ongoing need for helping hands. It's proof that sometimes the simplest ideas create the most powerful community connections.