L.I. Play Group Helps Socialize Shelter Dogs To Become Adoptable

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Dogs are frolicking on Long Island, as part of a well-orchestrated play group that helps workers classify shelter dogs and match them with families for adoption.

As CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported from Huntington Monday, a dog named Arnold was discovered three years ago – tied to a pole at 4 a.m. inside a Dix Hills park.

He has lived in a Huntington town animal shelter ever since.

It has been tough to convince a caring family to take a chance with a pit bull-boxer mix.

"We know Arnold is great with children," said shelter director Gerald Mosca.

Arnold is now part of a growing nationally recognized program that creates play groups for shelter dogs. The goal is to make the dogs more adoptable.

"We fell in love with the course," Mosca said.

Mosca has directed the shelter for 30 years. He and his staff just trained with the program Dogs Playing for Life, and call it life-changing for innocent, lonely animals.

"It's actually socialization amongst themselves," he said.

The program offers critical dog-to-dog social skills -- developing positive relationships as the dogs are lifted out of the kennels and cages to romp, communicate, share and obey.

Leaders need only a shake can, a spray of water, or sometimes an air horn. And within mere weeks, the true nature of loyal loving animals is reborn.

Afterward, dogs can be matched to the best potential adopters.

"The transition from shelter now to a home life for their forever home is incredible," Mosca said.

The $6,000 cost of the program is being shared with the town and the League for Animal Protection, whose volunteers have worked with dogs here for decades.

Dogs Playing for Life is so successful that Huntington has just 25 dogs available now for adoption.