The Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin is hosting a three day workshop alongside three other local shelters to learn the benefits of dog playgroups.

Fundraising Coordinator Shannon Redden says the Dogs Playing for Life group is going to teach the shelter how to effectively run playgroups, which can then in turn allow the shelter to learn more about the dogs and facilitate better adoption matching.

Redden says dogs benefit from playgroups by allowing them expend excess energy in a healthy and interactive way, help them alleviate frustrations and anxiety they might be having by living in the shelter environment, and helping dogs with behavioral problems.

Redden says the workshop is for staff and shelter volunteers only, and won’t be open to the public.