From Shelter to Soulmate – Brew Bear

Time-stamped! We’ve all heard the horror stories of overcrowded shelters resulting in too many good dogs being euthanized. Fortunately, a Brookline volunteer named Dot is a trusted liaison with ACCT in Philadelphia: a high-kill shelter where Brew Bear was being housed. The volunteers at ACCT will often let Dot know about a good dog that has potential but is nonetheless time-stamped to be euthanized due to space. For Brew Bear the clock was ticking. He had just one day left to live. The shelter called, Brookline answered, and an army of volunteers came to his rescue.

Once Dot was notified, Sharyn, another Brookline volunteer, went to ACCT to evaluate Brew Bear. “I could tell immediately that he was a dog that was very special.” Brew Bear evaluated well. He was gentle and intelligent even in the chaotic shelter environment. Approved by the Brookline Board, Sharyn immediately put him in her car and drove him straight to BCK, a Board and Train facility that partners with Brookline. Linda, the owner of BCK, had available space and Brookline felt Brew Bear would benefit from training.

Sue, our Brookline BCK liaison, worked closely with Virginia at BCK who fell in love with Brew Bear. Smart, affectionate and always on alert, he was a dog on a mission, and he loved his training sessions with Virginia. Brew Bear also spent time with Alyssa, a trainer at another facility. She, too, felt strongly about his success as a working dog. While in foster care with Jen, another Brookline volunteer, it was confirmed that Brew Bear thrives on being active. Everyone agreed that what Brew Bear needed most was a real job. As it turns out, everyone was right.

Sue went on a job search for Brew Bear and contacted a group that trains dogs for a variety of reasons, such as drug sniffing and search and rescue. The trainer and handler came to meet him at BCK. He was so impressed with all that Brew Bear knew and he saw his potential. The trainer agreed to take him on a trial basis to see if he truly was a working dog at heart.

Brew Bear didn’t disappoint. He did so well in his two-week trial that he was accepted into service and is currently being trained on 7 different narcotic scents. The trainer commented that he is such a loving dog and Brew Bear will remain with him until he is ready for his official training. Updates to come!

It has been a long journey for Brew Bear. Today, thanks to an army of people who knew he was a special dog, the kindness he has received will be returned in kind. Brew Bear will soon have an important job that serves us all. He starts his K9 training class in September and with a new name. He is now known as Dino, and the name fits him well. From Shelter to Service, Brew Bear has found his calling. Mission accomplished!