EVERETT, Wash. — Shelter life is stressful for a dog.
The long hours cooped up can have negative impacts both mentally and physically, especially if a dog is there for an extended amount of time.
This is Marley's second time at the Everett Animal Shelter. The 18-month-old husky has been at the shelter for two months, spending about 23 hours a day in his kennel.
Noise and isolation can take a toll.
The Everett shelter is full with more than 100 dogs held under lock and key — all begging to be let outside to run and play.
"Some cope really well. Some don't cope at all and shut down right away," said Lindsay Roe, the shelter's development manager.
"We do try to get them out as much as we can," said staff member Jason Robertson. "They're in their kennels all day and they're not very exciting places. They can be stressful and confining."
Now though, when they do get outside, Marley and the other dogs have a special treat waiting for them.
The Everett shelter is turning its backyard into a "sensory garden." It's a place where all of a dog's senses are stimulated through touch, smell, sound and sight.
A variety of plants give them something to sniff, textured walkways stimulate their paws, there's a sandy pit to dig in and a pool for cooling off.
"Dogs like Marley really need to be out here," said Robertson. "They need a place where they can be engaged and get that mental stimulation while they wait for a forever home."
A post-pandemic rush of people surrendering their pets has many shelters at or near capacity. That means more noise and less opportunity for walks and contact with people. Some dogs come from abusive homes, making an already bad situation even worse. High stress and little outside contact can make dogs edgy — decreasing their chances of adoption.
The sensory garden helps smooth things out.
"It makes a big difference for them in terms of keeping calm and being in a good place mentally, which will increase their chances of getting adopted," said Roe. "Our goal is to try and engage their mind and body to get them as stimulated as possible so when they have a meet and greet they show well, and when they're in their kennel they can sleep and they're not stressed out."
For Marley, the garden is a welcome break from the monotony, one that can't come often enough. It's a chance to just be a dog again while waiting for someone to set him free and bring him home.
The shelter is still trying to raise about $2,500 to complete the garden and is accepting donations.