Heidi Skievaski, owner of Sublime Gardens, wrote a fantastic blog on the topic: Creating Sensory Gardens for Dogs: A Haven of Exploration and Enrichment.
Working in shelter and rescue will absolutely make you an advocate for enrichment (or what I sometimes call fun activities for dogs and fun activities for cats). Providing animals with something they enjoy in their environment that gives them opportunities to engage their senses and do some of their natural behaviors in a way they enjoy is a great way to reduce their fear, anxiety, stress, and frustration.
When you see it work, you become a huge fan!
The sanctuary where I worked was blessed to have space including yards and an amazing walking trail for dogs. Even so, one of my favorite things I did there was help create a sensory garden in the dog park. We worked with a local Girl Scout troop to design the garden with sights, sounds, smells, and textures for the dogs to explore. They did an amazing job!!
Later, we brought the idea to outdoor catios, as well, providing climbing structures and cat-safe plants.
When my fellow animal chaplain, Lars Pardo, helped bring the sensory garden idea to Everett Animal Shelter, I was so pleased. The result, designed by shelter staff, is fabulous. They turned a well-used, muddy yard into an engaging, stimulating, relaxing place for the dogs to enjoy. Paws up! And, it resulted in some media coverage, too.
Sensory gardens absolutely contribute to better animal welfare and well-being. They reduce fear, anxiety, stress, and frustration and help dogs show their confident, at ease, and playful behaviors.
Enrichment is a go-to when I work with private clients on animal behavior as well. Many unwanted behaviors can be helped by giving animals something fun to do instead and encouraging dogs and cats to relax and focus their energies and attention on caregiver-approved activities. When we give animals acceptable outlets to do what they love to do, everyone benefits.
While I loved the sensory gardens I had seen, I wondered what a professional horticulturist would do with the idea…
This led me to Heidi Skievaski, owner of Sublime Gardens in Snohomish, Washington. Heidi is not only a Certified Professional Horticulturist she’s also a dog-person and — that most beloved of beings in the rescue-world – a dog-foster-mom.
I had such a great time talking with her about dogs, gardens, and gardens for dogs and for the people who love them.
As I suspected, a thoughtful plant-pro, could really run with the sensory garden idea and make it an amazing space for dogs and for their people.
Check out Heidi’s fantastic blog on the topic, Creating Sensory Gardens for Dogs: A Haven of Exploration and Enrichment, and check out the gorgeous photos of her dogs enjoying their garden. Heart-eyes for days!
Are the animals in your home included in your spring garden plans?
They could be. Think of the possibilities!
Intrigued? Would you like to talk more about sensory gardens? Book a free call.