Our enrichment garden
In the heart of North Devon lies our beautiful enrichment garden, where our dogs can frolic amongst a richness of lovely sights, smells and textures.
Our centre sits in a beautiful area of North Devon, in a shady wooded valley. Here at the rehoming centre our dogs have a woodland walk, with a stream that runs through, a spacious off-lead area under trees, a few paddocks of sand and astro-turf, an agility run, a training barn, a bungalow, and now a new enrichment garden. The enrichment garden was funded purely by people’s kind and generous donations over the last two years. We want to take this opportunity to thank once again our supporters.
What is in our Enrichment Garden?
Built in May 2022, we have a chill-out area featuring a bench, different surfaces, and textures for our dogs to experience, a water feature and dog friendly plants and herbs.
We have lavender, which has a lovely calming scent, Marigolds, known for its emotional healing, Meadows Weet, Wheatgrass, Rosemary, and Thyme. We also have a vegetable patch, with veg suitable for dogs.
Our enrichment garden also has an activity area which has a mound with a tunnel, an uneven walkway, a train made from wood, and wood chip and sand pits.
What do the dogs get up to in the enrichment garden?
Our enrichment garden is more than just a place to sit and snuggle with dogs or walk around. Our dogs can play scent games which preys on their natural instincts to explore.
It has a positive effect on emotions, which reduces frustration and anxiety, and makes it easier for a dog to learn new things. It is choice based with freedom to go where they want.
Scent games build confidence as they are doing new things, such as walking over different textures or an uneven walkway while receiving a food reward. It’s also great fun for all the food loving dogs out there!
For nervous dogs it gives them something else to focus on, helping them feel more comfortable within the environment. Teaching dogs to do simple tasks, such as understanding search work (finding treats or a toy) empowers them which increases confidence in other areas.
Interested in adopting a dog?
Thinking of offering a fur-ever home to one of our dogs? That's great! Browse our four-legged residents to find your paw-fect match and start your rehoming journey today.
Related pages
1 of 2
If you liked this page, tell the world!