Celebrating 10 Years of Playgroup at CCAS: A Decade of Joy, Growth and Transformation
This July, CCAS proudly celebrated the 10-year anniversary of our playgroup program — a milestone that represents far more than just dogs at play. During the past decade, playgroups have completely transformed daily life at our shelter, enriching the well-being of thousands of dogs and helping them shine for potential adopters.
Today, nearly every eligible dog gets the chance to run, romp and socialize with their own kind. Around 60 dogs participate in playgroup every single day, finding relief from kennel stress, building confidence, learning healthy dog-to-dog communication skills and forming friendships that help them come out of their shells. Instead of sitting in kennels or standing tethered with pent-up energy, our dogs now have the opportunity to truly be dogs — and the difference is remarkable. With more exercise, enrichment and emotional outlets, we’ve seen happier pups, fewer extreme behaviors and better adoption matches than ever before.
Our journey was made possible through our long-standing partnership with Dogs Playing for Life (DPFL), whose guidance and mentorship helped shape the program we have today.
Playgroup and DPFL Partnership Timeline
- June 2015: DPFL visits Cleveland APL — CCAS becomes the first shelter in Cuyahoga County to begin running playgroups (3 days/week).
- May 2016: DPFL returns to Cleveland, expanding programming to 7 days a week.
- 2016–2025: CCAS participates in multiple DPFL mentorships:
- Nov 2016: Austin Pets Alive (Level 1)
- Sept 2017: Longmont Humane Society (Level 1)
- 2025: Canine Center Florida (Level 2)
- August 2017: DPFL visits CCAS for the first time, guiding playgroup development onsite.
- March 2019: DPFL returns to focus on Fancy Footwork (loose-leash walking) and improved kennel routines to support stress reduction and better behavior.
From its beginnings in 2015 to the thriving, enriching program we run today, playgroup has become one of the most impactful elements of shelter life at CCAS. As we look toward the future — and an exciting Level 2 mentorship in 2025 — we remain committed to giving every dog the joy, freedom and social connection they deserve.
Here’s to 10 years of play, progress, and countless tail wags… and many more to come. Click on this link to see many of our dogs enjoying playgroup: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UC2XBs/
