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Virginia

Green Dogs Unleashed

David Adams

June 25, 2024

Dog Rescues & Shelters

Green Dogs Unleashed

#83 in United States, #4 in Virginia

https://www.greendogsunleashed.org

staff@greendogsunleashed.org

Service areas:

Greater Charlottesville area.

At GDU, we are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of special needs and exceptional animals. We believe that every animal deserves a chance at a happy and fulfilling life, and we work tirelessly to ensure that they get just that. Our rescues come from all over the country, primarily from rural and high-volume shelters. These animals often have special needs or require exceptional care, and they come to us when there is no other hope for them. We arrange their transport and ensure they receive necessary medical care from a licensed veterinarian. Upon arrival, our animals find refuge in caring foster homes as they await their forever families. Our fostering application process mirrors the same meticulous approval standards as our adoption procedure, guaranteeing the best possible homes. This fostering period provides invaluable insights into our animals' personalities, enabling us to make ideal matches with their perfect forever homes. During this time, we seek to enrich their lives through positive enrichment activities and training. This helps our animals learn essential skills and build their confidence, making them more adoptable and increasing their chances of finding their forever homes. Our approach combines scientifically proven positive behavior modification methods and time-tested best practices from our amazing foster families. We pride ourselves on matching animals with families on an individual basis, considering factors like temperament, lifestyle, physical and mental needs, and emotional and social well-being. This personalized approach ensures an unparalleled adoption match success rate.

Mission and Vision

We are a non-profit organization committed to rescuing animals in need, rehabilitating them, and finding them loving homes. Our focus is on special needs animals, providing them with professional training to prepare them for roles as Therapy dogs, supporting humans in need. All our animals undergo training and rehabilitation at the Unleashed Canine Training Academy in Troy, Virginia.

Other specialization

Special needs animals, with a focus in deaf and blind dogs.

Adoption Policy

We welcome applicants from out of state for most dogs, but please review the dog's description to see if there are any exceptions. If approved, applicants must be willing to visit our location in Troy, VA, for a meet-and-greet. If both parties agree that it's a good match, the pup can go home with the family on the same day. We ask adopters to understand that it takes time for a dog to transition and to commit to giving them the necessary time and patience. Adopters should be prepared to handle immediate issues for at least three weeks while the dog adjusts. We encourage offering grace and compassion to newly adopted pets. All adopters are required to take an approved positive reinforcement, fear-free style training class within two months of adopting a dog.

https://greendogsunleashed.org/adopt/

Testimonials

See all testimonials

"They are a great rescue. Screen potential adopters well to ensure pets go to good homes. Honest evaluation of animals, etc. Would recommend to anyone."

— christine h.

Adoptee

"From rescuing and rehabbing traumatized dogs, thoughtful and creative training programs, to the sheer immensity of their love for dogs, GDU shines in all aspects. We are fortunate to have such a strong and dedicated resource in our community."

— judith m.

Adoptee

"Green dogs unleashed does it all. What so special is the saving and training of special needs dogs…they even save cats, birds and any other critter that needs saving"

— beth m.

Volunteer / foster, Fan

"We have fostered for and adopted from GDU many times. I think we have fostered 9 pups, and have adopted and only one was a foster fail. Our sweet additions were truly made for our family. Our fostering experience was amazing. The first two dogs we fostered were, well, very unique. One dog was adopted by good friends of ours; the other one ran away and we were distraught! I had never fostered before. It was terrible. GDU was amazing. They helped us set traps and never once made me feel terrible about what happened. I was beside myself with guilt and worry about this sweet poor puppy mill survivor. She was recovered 2 weeks later and has an amazing home now. GDU is so supportive, giving, and really does what’s best for each dog. It’s not always the best fit and they understand and appreciate that. They work hard to train new owners and pups, and have the best interests of their dogs at heart. I am so proud to be part of an ethical, truthful, caring community."

— chesley m.

Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan

"I’m nearing retirement & was looking for something meaningful to do as a volunteer & then our 20 year old Maine Coon passed away last year. I decided to volunteer with Green Dogs because I liked their approach to adoption offering classes & support to build bonds & prevent animals from ending up in rescue again. After a few weeks of volunteering I learned they get a lot of animals from HSUS cases & the amazing transformation of these dogs & cats from scared to exuberant. I adopted a Maine Coon from GDU who was a HSUS case. She has reminded us how much love we have to give & how that can change an animal’s personality. Trixie is a big goofy love bug now & we feel like our home is complete. And volunteering brings me joy & new social relationships."

— kelly f.

Adoptee, Volunteer / foster

"This rescue has done so much good in the community. Continually saving and fostering animals, and doing outreach vaccine drives to help low income families."

— amber m.

Supporter, Fan

"I adore Green Dogs Unleashed and the community that they have created in the central Va area. I adopted my sweet deaf Aussie from green dogs and interacting with them through the adoption and training process made me realize how critical this organization is to the community. I have since become a volunteer and foster with green dogs and try to help them as often as possible. could not be more grateful for the impact that green dogs has had on my life as well as so many others in the Charlottesville area."

— lauren s.

Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Fan

"Green Dog Unleashed has changed my life. I became a dog trainer in retirement and I reached out to GDU to see if Erika Proctor would be willing to take me as a trainer intern following my certification. I have spent time learning, studying, shadowing and ultimately asked to join the staff as a dog trainer at GDU. I have been to Puppy Bowl as a handler with 8 puppies for filming in NY. I have adopted 2 GDU pups. I have volunteered countless hours for this organization mostly because they are warm, welcoming, intelligent, thoughtful, kind and ambitious to change the training world to a strictly positive approach. I have trained a service dog and a therapy dog with Erika’s support and guidance. I have dogs in disc league. I am teaching an hour away from the main campus to expand GDU’s reach into a part of Virginia where positive trainers are very difficult to find. This organization is beyond passionate about their mission of rescue, rehab and rehome. Green Dogs Unleashed is the real deal and i am beyond thrilled to recommend them!!!"

— cassandra h.

Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Staff member, Supporter, Fan

"As a person who has volunteered very actively with several dog and animals rescues and organizations, my immediate introduction to Green Dogs Unleashed (Troy, VA), left me thinking, ‘wow… their website and media doesn’t begin to cover the impact this organization is making in the lives of the animals and people they work with!’ I immediately knew this was an organization I wanted to be active with and help be a part of their far reaching outreach and help building continued success. The director Erika Proctor, is the most genuine person I have met in the rescue and training world. She lives her life as an example and through her efforts, she has created a place in Green Dogs Unleashed that has built a community of volunteers and support with a contagious energy in getting, even the sometimes seeming impossible, tasks accomplished. GDU functions as a rescue that so often helps the special population of dogs that many overlook, including deaf and blind dogs. They do an amazing job working with their fosters and volunteers to truly match the dogs (when they feel they are ready) to homes where they feel they will become part of the family and find success in their forever home placement. GDU works tirelessly in supporting and collaborating with other shelters, rescues and organizations, including the HSUS, to help animals in need. GDU has an extensive and diverse training program that uses positive training and genuinely shows the human students how to create long term relationships through positive training and bonding. This training program also offers lots of enrichment classes so the community can keep building these positive experiences and relationships. If that isn’t enough, GDU also has an extensive therapy dog training program and teams that work out in their communities doing important jobs. Coming from other therapy training programs, and now having a dog that is a GDU certified therapy dog, here again I can say, GDU goes above and beyond in preparing this program so that the handler and the dog find joy and success should they complete the program and become a working team! I am now a very active volunteer and therapy team member for GDU… but it was in those parts I realized the impact GDU has and a bigger way I wanted to be involved. The positive approach to helping dogs that come into their rescue, often with trauma and scared, can truly turn their lives around. I watch Erika passionately meet every dog and family where they are and give them hope and enthusiasm towards joy and bonds to last a lifetime. I am now an intern working under Erika and it is my goal to learn so that I can become a GDU trainer. In this role I can be part of helping rescue animals that come in so desperate for a chance and also help families find joy, enrichment and successful relationships between them and their dogs. I cannot recommend this organization without saying, the entire operations are run with heart, passion, empathy and genuine commitment to creating a positive impact into the world of rescue work and building opportunities for positive personal and community relationships for dogs and their families ."

— dulcey f.

Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan

"Green Dogs Unleashed is made up of the most caring and knowledgeable animal lovers. Although they specialize in hearing and sight impaired dogs, ALL animals are helped by fostering and finding the best adoptive homes. This includes cats and birds. They have taken in close to 100 dogs from hoarding situations just last calendar year. I adopted a pup from one of the hoarding cases of 114 dogs. Erika, the behavior specialist, trainer, and founder of GDU, is always available for guidance at a moments notice. This is the best group of folks that I have met and they deserve support!"

— jean t.

Adoptee, Volunteer / foster

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David Adams

June 25, 2024

Dog Rescues & Shelters

David Adams

About the author

David Adams is a man of many passions, but his love for dogs stands above all. He is not only a dog lover, but also the founder of an innovative platform called Sniffspot. This unique platform connects dog owners with private property owners who are willing to rent out their space for off-leash playtime. While the idea of Sniffspot was initially conceived by his wife, Rebecca, David has been the driving force behind its remarkable success, tirelessly overseeing its growth and development. David's dedication to providing safe and enjoyable spaces for dogs to play, explore, and socialize is evident in his unwavering commitment to Sniffspot. He strongly believes that dogs need ample space and opportunities to stretch their legs and have fun. As a result, he has worked tirelessly to build a network of private property owners across the country who share his vision and are willing to offer their space for the benefit of dogs and their owners. Despite his busy schedule, David always finds time to indulge in his passion for the great outdoors. He loves nothing more than exploring new hiking trails and embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures. Whenever he is not working on Sniffspot, he can often be found hiking or visiting multi-acre fenced sniffspots with his two beloved dogs, Soba and Toshii. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and the sense of freedom that comes with being in nature. David is based in Salem, MA.

All testimonials

"They are a great rescue. Screen potential adopters well to ensure pets go to good homes. Honest evaluation of animals, etc. Would recommend to anyone."

— christine h.

Adoptee

— judith m.

Adoptee

"Green dogs unleashed does it all. What so special is the saving and training of special needs dogs…they even save cats, birds and any other critter that needs saving"

— beth m.

Volunteer / foster, Fan

— chesley m.

Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan

— kelly f.

Adoptee, Volunteer / foster

"This rescue has done so much good in the community. Continually saving and fostering animals, and doing outreach vaccine drives to help low income families."

— amber m.

Supporter, Fan

— lauren s.

Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Fan

— cassandra h.

Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Staff member, Supporter, Fan

— dulcey f.

Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan

— jean t.

Adoptee, Volunteer / foster

About Sniffspot

Sniffspot is a community marketplace that enables anyone to rent land by-the-hour as a safe and private dog park.

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About Sniffspot

Sniffspot provides the best experiences and fun for you and your dog. Our dog parks are designed for the ultimate dog exercise. Our private spaces help you minimize distractions or triggers and maximize time with your dog. We provide off leash enrichment - exploration and activities you can't get anywhere else; wear your dog out for days. We make it easy to have playdates. Socialize your pup in a controlled, private spot - it's great exercise and it's fun for you and your dog.

Green Dogs Unleashed

Mission and Vision

Other specialization

Adoption Policy

Testimonials

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