The Heeling Begins in Healdsburg

Green Dog Rescue Project, the nonprofit animal care organization that found itself at the center of the controversy, held a get-acquainted meeting in Healdsburg last night at the .

The entire board of the new organization was on hand, including board president (also Healdsburg Vice Mayor) and , executive director.

Also on hand were several dogs, in keeping with the canine-friendly crowd, including a tiny blind mutt named Justice who had to go "out" mid-meeting. He was escorted by board member of .

"We want to spread the word there is a better way," said Jones in her greeting to the audience of 35 or so. "We want to change the old shelter paradigm, and open the door to a new day."

Prior to the meeting, both Combs and Jones asked that the introduction of Green Dog be seen as a new event -- not as the next chapter in an on-going, often-contentious story.

One of the goals of the meeting seemed to be financial outreach, letting the community know that Green Dog was looking for a facility to house their dogs, classes and other activities.

"We want a full-fledged facility, preferably in Healdsburg, within two or three years," said Combs. Cost of underwriting such a facility was put at around $50,000.

She also pointed out that Green Dog was not just about dogs, but hoped to move into rehabilitation for cats, gerbils, hamsters and horses.

Combs spent much of the meeting explaining the philosophy behind Green Dog, outlined in full on their new website at www.greendogproject.com.

The key is physical and behavioral therapy, she said, that helps the dogs adjust from whatever trauma requires their rehabilitation, be it "stranger danger"  syndrome, confinement in a shelter, or worse.

Many of these therapeutic techniques are in use at the runs with co-owner Melissa Wilson. While the for-profit King's Kastles are based on non-kennel day care, boarding, training and grooming, the nonprofit Green Dog project is seen as a rehabilitation shelter, focused on rescue and shelter for rescues, stray or surrendered dogs.

At the center of the rehabilitation technique for both Kings Kastle and Green Dog is the controversial "communal pack structure" of socialization for troubled dogs, with the on-site humans fulfilling the role of "alpha" animal to assure the peacefulness of the pack.

Dogs numbering 60 or more share open space and sheltered housing without kennels for much of the day, in a largely .

"If you've ever gone swimming with dolphins, that's what it's like," said Combs.

While pack socialization and human interaction are key components of the Green Dog philosophy, programs for people are also in place, including a mandatory four-hour training and assessment for potential adopters.

The goal is to make sure the right kind of people, with the proper canine skills, are matched with an animal appropriate to each. "This is doggiematch.com," joked Combs.

It's unlikely Combs or the other members of the board would be thinking of starting a new organization were it not for the success their rehabilitation model has had at Kings Kastle.

Bella Noche, a 3-year-old Weimaraner mix, spent his first year confined to a box, and could barely use her hind legs when she came to Combs' King's Kastle facility in Cloverdale. After Combs explained the dog's trauma, Bella herself came into the room and gregariously greeted many of those in the room.

Other dogs who are currently seen as in Green Dog program were introduced by slides and stories including Jake, Otis, Barkley, Oliver, Brownie and

Goals of the Green Dog organization include promoting education and outreach for the community as well, in the hopes of "teaching dogs to heal as well as heel" -- as one of the several bad puns of the meeting put it. Dogs have been shown to calm people in test groups, not only among seniors, but among high school students, the bereaved, and criminals. 

Susan Jones interjected that both Jeff Harding of the and Sandi Passalacqua of were interested in participating.

"We want to make the shelter's traditional model extinct,' said Combs, in a challenge to a national mind-set more than any organization. "We want to remove the 'easy button' and make it work for the animals."

"The challenge is to re-educate the public," said board member Kristine Hanson, the so-called media-ologist. "People listen to people, and the media will cover stories." Hanson doubles as a meteorologist on several news outlets, including KZST radio where she planned to interview Combs later that night.

Green Dog plans to have their monthly board meetings on the first Tuesdays at the at 6 p.m., and they announced several other community events that show they plan to be an integral part of the Healdsburg scene.

The first is May 17, when they'll have a Yappie Hour at the from 5 - 7:30 p.m., including wines from and finger food from board member Doug Keane. Dog biscuits and doggie playtime are also planned.

Other events include a monthly pack walk for 20 people and their dogs, to teach both species how to meet and greet in a healthy way. Green Dog plans to have a pack walk take part in the Healdsburg FFA Parade on May 24, and a Bark-B-Q is planned for later in the summer, all to gain public awareness and support for their philosophy and practice of rehabilitation.

"We want to saturate the nation with people who understand dog behavior,"  Combs said at one point. They seem to be starting with Healdsburg.