The idea for the Rescue Run Club came from a volunteer nearly 10 years ago.
The program is still going strong.
Volunteer Rachel Melancon explained her idea of early morning runs or walks with community members and shelter animals to Dr. Jena Troxler, the supervisor at St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter, in 2016. Troxler liked the idea, and Troxler, Melancon and parish residents began meeting at 5:30 a.m. every Thursday.
“In time, other staff took the reins,” Troxler said. “Rachel now lives in Texas and her [Rescue Run Club] idea earned a National Animal Control and Care Award.”
Today, the program runs on Thursdays at 6 a.m. Volunteers meet at the animal shelter and run or walk down Judge Dufresne Parkway and back. Every week, between two and nine volunteers join.
“Many people work, and this is a great way to volunteer at the shelter and get your exercise in before the workday begins,” Troxler said. “We are always looking for new participants and have a handful of volunteers that walk or run faithfully every week. If there are more runners than dogs, the volunteers will take turns with the available animals.”
Troxler said anyone can participate in the program. Participants do not need to be an oriented shelter volunteer. Volunteers under 18 years old should bring a parent.
“We show the basics of safe animal handling and keeping a safe distance between dogs upon entry,” Troxler said.
Troxler said exercise puts us and animals in a better state of mind. The program creates positive interactions for all that gets the day started on a high note, she said.
“Rescue Run Club is a great way to decompress and spend an hour of your morning,” Troxler said. “Petting dogs lowers blood pressure.”
The shelter offers other ways to volunteer. The shelter’s foster programs allow volunteers to take care of a shelter dog or cat for up to a week, and through the Reading Buddy program, children can read to dogs in their kennels at the shelter.
The shelter offers volunteer orientation Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Our staff is frequently in the community doing educational visits at schools and adoption events to help place these pets in their forever homes,” Troxler said.
