Train for Tomorrow — A Behavioral Training Fundraiser for Our Shelter Dogs

At the Animal Orphanage, we believe every dog deserves the chance to become their very best self. For some of our pups, that means receiving specialized behavioral training to help them build confidence, learn coping skills, and overcome past trauma or stress.

That’s why we are launching our Train for Tomorrow Campaign, raising funds to send more of our shelter dogs to professional behavioral training with Christine McAvoy, one of our most trusted and transformative training partners.

Proven Success With Christine

Christine has helped some of our longest-stay and highest-need pups learn, grow, and finally become adoptable. Her work transforms fear into confidence and gives dogs the second chances they never thought possible.

What Makes Christine’s Program Different

One of the most impactful parts of Christine McAvoy’s training program is that dogs live in her home with her during their training period. Rather than working only in a kennel or facility setting, each dog is fully immersed in a real household environment.

By living with Christine, dogs learn how to:

Navigate everyday household routines
Settle and relax in a home setting
Build confidence around normal sights, sounds, and daily activities
Practice calm behavior both indoors and outdoors
Learn boundaries, structure, and expectations in real time

This immersive, live-in approach allows Christine to address behaviors as they naturally arise and tailor training to each dog’s individual needs. It helps dogs learn how to truly thrive in a household, not just succeed in a training session.

For dogs coming from trauma, neglect, or long shelter stays, this experience is often life-changing—bridging the gap between shelter life and a forever home.

Dogs Who Graduated & Found Their Forever Homes

Quinn – While in our care, Quinn showed aggressive behavior when meeting new humans, and her responses toward strangers continued to escalate over time. It became clear she needed more than we could offer at the shelter to safely learn to trust humans. After over two years with us, Quinn completed two months of intensive training with Christine focused on confidence-building, trust, and socialization. Today, Quinn is calm, social, and thriving in her forever home.

Lyric – Lyric was terrified of small spaces and would sometimes react aggressively when scared—even smashing through a wall at one point. After one month with Christine, he learned coping strategies, structure, and confidence. Lyric now lives happily in his forever home—and even has his own Instagram.

Grace – Grace had an intense fear of anything medical-related, which resulted in increased stress and aggressive behavior. After spending three months in Christine’s program, she gained confidence, learned to trust humans, and now enjoys visits with people and routines without fear. Grace finally found her loving forever home after waiting over a year.

Sammy – Sammy was highly reactive toward strangers, making adoption challenging. She spent one month in Christine’s program, learning manners, social skills, and confidence-building exercises. That transformation helped her finally find a safe, loving forever family.

Dogs Who Have Benefited & Are Still Waiting

Rex – Completed muzzle training with Christine and continues to build confidence and manageability while waiting for his forever home.

Dogs Currently Heading to Training

Stella – Stella’s story is one of survival and hope. She was dumped in the woods and lived alone for a long time, doing everything she could to survive. She currently has a strong fear of humans and car rides, and we want to address these fears before they continue to progress. To give her the best chance to succeed and eventually find her forever home, she is heading to Christine’s program next.

Why We Need Your Help

We are committed to sending dogs to Christine whenever they need a level of care beyond what we can provide at the shelter. Her training is individualized, thorough, and life-changing—but it comes at a cost.

One Month of Training Costs $4,000
This covers daily, structured, one-on-one training, behavior modification, enrichment, confidence building, and ongoing support.

Our goal: Raise $15,000 to help at least three dogs this year access Christine’s training—giving them the best possible chance to succeed and find their forever homes.

What Your Donation Supports

Your contribution directly funds:

Behavioral evaluations
Customized training plans
Daily professional sessions
Confidence-building exercises
Enrichment and specialized equipment
Video updates and progress reports
Post-adoption support for families

Every dollar helps a dog transform their life.

How You Can Help

$25 – Training treats and enrichment supplies
$50 – Supports a training session
$100 – Provides specialized equipment
$250 – Supports a full day of training
$500+ – Contributes toward a week of training
$4,000 – Sponsors one dog for a life-changing month

Your donation gives dogs the opportunity to grow, heal, and thrive.

Join the “Train for Tomorrow” Movement

Together, we can change lives—one dog at a time.

Help us give our animals the training, healing, and hope they need to finally find their forever homes.

With your support, we can help at least three dogs this year take that crucial step toward a brighter future—just like Quinn, Lyric, Grace, Sammy, Rex, and soon, Stella.

Train for Tomorrow — A Behavioral Training Fundraiser for Our Shelter Dogs