The Santa Maria Valley Humane Society and Santa Maria Valley YMCA has started a new partnership with a program called "Running Buddy".
This program supports local healthy living and life-saving by connecting ‘Y’ members with homeless dogs from the Humane Society to walk or run in the Waller park this summer.
In addition to teaching important manners and skills to shelter dogs, like how to walk on a leash and polite meeting of unfamiliar people, this program
makes exercise fun and purposeful when people have a canine workout partner.
The program is open to all ages; however, participants are asked for the dog handler be over the age of 18.
A certified dog trainer remains on-site to help with coaching and tips for running with a shelter dog.
Walks are currently held on Thursday afternoons, from 4-6 and you do not need to be a YMCA member to participate.
Initial response has already indicated interest in expanding the Running Buddy program to additional days and times.
