April 28th - May 5th

Decompression in dogs refers to a period of low-stress, low-demand time that helps a dog mentally and emotionally settle—especially after a big change like adoption, rehoming, travel, or a stressful event. Think of it as giving the dog space to “come down” from overstimulation and start feeling safe again.

It usually involves:

• A calm, predictable environment

• Minimal new experiences (no busy parks, lots of visitors, etc.)

• Limited training demands at first

• Safe spaces where the dog can retreat (like a crate or quiet room)

• Gentle routines for feeding, walking, and rest

Dogs can get overwhelmed easily, even if they seem excited or “fine.” Without decompression:

• Stress hormones stay elevated

• Behavior can become unpredictable (fear, reactivity, shutdown)

• Bonding with new owners becomes harder

With proper decompression:

• The dog’s stress levels drop

• Their true personality starts to show

• Training becomes more effective

• Trust builds more naturally

A common example is the “3-3-3 rule” (3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn routines, 3 months to feel at home), though every dog is different—some need more or less time.

Decompression is especially important for:

• Newly adopted rescue dogs

• Dogs moving to a new home

• Dogs recovering from trauma or neglect

• Dogs exposed to overwhelming environments (like shelters or travel)

In short, decompression isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about creating the right conditions for a dog to feel safe enough to adjust and thrive.

***EVENT SPOTLIGHT***

We’re heading to the heart of the Stockyards for something special, and we want you there with us.

Join us on May 9 at Rodeo Plaza during PBR Week for our Herd You Needed a Dog Spring Event. With the energy of the rodeo, crowds moving through the Stockyards, and a built-in audience of animal lovers and visitors, this is one of the best opportunities to get your foster dog seen.

This is more than just an event. It is exposure, connection, and real placement potential. Dogs show differently out in the world. They relax, engage, and let their personalities shine in a way that simply does not happen in a kennel. Every conversation you have and every interaction your foster dog makes could be the one that leads to their

Foster - Bring Your Foster to an Event
Foster Event Sign Up Link 👉 CLICK HERE

Volunteer - Bring a Shelter Pet to the Event
Register to Bring a Shelter Pet Link 👉 CLICK HERE

Need an adventure? Try our Doggy Day Out program! A few hours outside the shelter can make a huge difference for a dog’s well-being and adoption chances. Our Doggy Day Out program gives dogs a break from the kennel environment while helping them practice real-world experiences like riding in the car, walking through new places, and meeting new people.

Research in animal welfare has shown that even short outings can significantly reduce stress behaviors in shelter dogs, helping them relax and show their true personalities. These outings also create photos, stories, and social media moments that help potential adopters connect with them in a more natural setting. A walk along the Trinity Trails, a patio lunch, or a visit to a dog-friendly coffee shop could be exactly what they need to shine.

You can visit the Volunteer Resource Center to learn more about the program and explore our article featuring dog-friendly restaurants, parks, and businesses around Fort Worth — perfect places to take your Doggy Day Out adventure. Or you can click the link below to see this week's candidates!

CLICK HERE FOR DOGGY DAY OUT CANDIDATES

Did you know that all of our volunteer opportunities are housed in the Volunteer Resource Center?

Not only can you explore each opportunity and learn about the impact you’ll have in each role, but you can also sign up directly from the article—making it easier than ever to get involved.

We’ve streamlined the process so you can spend less time searching and more time making a difference.

Take a minute to

👉 Explore opportunities and sign up here: Volunteer Opportunities

Are you in the loop? Our FWACC Official Volunteer Group Chat on Facebook is where all the real-time connection happens—and we’d love to see it grow!

Right now, we have 383 members… but we know there are hundreds more of you out there who could be part of the conversation.

This is where we share:
🐾 Immediate shelter needs and ways you can jump in
🐾 Volunteer shout-outs and wins worth celebrating
🐾 Fun articles, updates, and behind-the-scenes moments

It’s a great way to stay connected, informed, and engaged with everything happening across the team.

👉 Join the group here: FWACC Official Volunteer Group Chat

Let’s make sure everyone is in the know—invite your fellow volunteers and help us grow this space!