Project Pooch

09/06/2026

If you've seen POOCH at any events lately (Meat for Cats and Dogs or Farwest Show: National Nursery & Greenhouse Trade Show) then you've seen Jasmine! This girl has been a rock star out and about, but we haven't gotten any applications for her yet. That just means we need your help to find this adoptable girl her home!

She's a sweet adult terrier mix, available for adoption in Woodburn, Oregon. She's been one of our classroom dogs since she arrived at POOCH and let us know that the kennel life was not for her. (We're told she was often an office dog at Clackamas County Dog Services when she was there.) She's an absolute hoot with her love of the tennis ball, but my favorite part about Jasmine is when she curls up next to you because there is nowhere else she would rather be.

08/26/2026

Jasmine is here to tell you that it is National Dog Day! She wants you to know she is ready for her forever home and will be attending the Farwest Show: National Nursery & Greenhouse Trade Show, hosted by the Oregon Association of Nurseries, at the Oregon Convention Center tomorrow! She expects to be there from around 10:30–2:30pm (possibly longer if she isn't too overstimulated). She would love to meet you! You can learn more about Jasmine in the link below.

08/18/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out on Saturday for the Dog Wash! It was fun to see so many different adorable pups in all shapes and sizes. POOCH alums Tod, Klondike, Izzy, Faith, and Shadow all made an appearance, along with a slew of non-POOCH pups. Our smallest was little Izzy at 5 lbs, and our biggest was Clyde at 100+ lbs. Dogs were scrubbed, nails were clipped, raffle tickets were purchased—all to support our work at Project POOCH. We look forawrd to seeing everyone again next year!

A big thanks to Stickmen Brewing for hosting us, and to Meat for Cats and Dogs, Mud Bay, and SeaPress Studio for helping to make our raffle a success.

08/15/2026

08/15/2026

We have it on good authority that POOCH alums Klondike, Tod, Bonita, and Goldie are all going to make it to the dog wash tomorrow! Any other former POOCH pups planning to come out and join us? Will you be as stylish as Klondike was last year in his tie? We hope to see you there! 11am–3pm at Stickmen Brewing in Tualatin!

08/14/2026

It's almost time! Our Annual Dog Wash kicks off at 11am tomorrow at Stickmen Brewing in Tualatin. You can come out to get your pup bathed, pick up Project POOCH merchandise (a few brand new items!), enter our AWESOME raffle, and eat great food at Stickmen. You don't need to have a dog to have a fun day out. All proceeds go to support our work with incarcerated youth and shelter pups! (event link below)

08/14/2026

This morning, our Executive Director had an opportunity to share the important work we do at Project POOCH on KATU News AM Northwest. Miss Annie, one of our newest POOCH pups, got to have her star moment, and she was a champ! You'll also get to see appearances from recent adoptees: Sydney, Bubbles, Tod, Felicia, Bonita, Ally, Viola, and Georgia, along with currently available pups Asphalt, Jasmine, Bullwinkle, and Rocky. Check out the video and come see us at the Project POOCH Annual Dog Wash! tomorrow from 11am–3pm at Stickmen Brewing in Tualatin!

Dog Wash Extravaganza at Stickmen Brewing (Tualatin) Aug. 15, 11am–3pm: dog washes, brushing, nail trims, raffle & POOCH merch. Proceeds support Project POOCH helping incarcerated youth and shelter dogs.

08/11/2026

Viola came to Project POOCH in January as a spirited 4-month-old puppy. She was mouthy. And jumpy. We joked that she was 10% angel baby and 90% demon baby. The angel was a sweet, snuggly, goofy girl, and her demon side was reminiscent of a baby velociraptor.

One particular youth, Aaron*, took an immediate liking to Viola and committed to working with her. He was dedicated. He was patient. Over a few months, the two of them built a special bond based on a deep love for each other. With lots of positive reinforcement, patience, and repetition, Viola learned. She learned to walk perfectly on a loose leash. She learned how to sit and pause before exiting a doorway. She learned down and shake. She learned how to manage her excitement to meet other dog friends so she could participate in playgroups.

With every skill Aaron helped Viola master, you could see his confidence grow. He was proud of her ... and of himself.

Viola had built a lot of skills and patience, and by May had flipped her ratio to 95% angel baby with a mere 5% demon baby. She was still a spirited puppy, and we had no desire to break that spirit. Instead, we worked to cultivate it in positive ways.

A few months ago, Viola had a meet-and-greet. Within the first 5 minutes of meeting her, the potential adopter was asking how to "fix" her. I don't think spirited was their idea of a "good" dog.

The youth were disappointed. They were worried we wouldn't find her a home. We told them to be patient. To wait. That her person was out there. Someone who would love her for who she was, not who they wanted her to be.

Then a few weeks ago we got an application for Viola. Flynn had seen one of our reels on Instagram and had fallen in love with her from afar.

Flynn came to the kennel to meet Viola. She hung back and took direction from our youth trainers on how to interact with Viola to set her up for success. Flynn moved slowly. She gave Viola lots of treats. Within 30 minutes, Flynn said she thought Viola was perfect and wanted to do a trial run.

We planned for an overnight visit that night. The youth said their goodbyes. There were lots of tears as we left with her for her home visit—tears of joy but also tears of sadness. The goal in rescue is goodbye, but it's never easy.

It didn't take long for Flynn to make a decision. She knew Viola was the one. They are learning to navigate the world together as a team. Viola's confidence is building by the day as she learns to trust Flynn and get familiar with her new home.

Happy trails, sweet Viola! Thank you for working your puppy magic to help the youth develop responsibility, patience, and compassion for all.