On September 22, 2026, a WHYY News intern spent the day walking Amaya, a shelter dog, as part of Animal Care & Control of Philadelphia’s (ACCT Philly) Pupventures program. The outing took place in various locations across Philadelphia and was coordinated by Jassmyn Nesmith, a representative of ACCT Philly.
The Pupventures program pairs volunteers with shelter dogs for off‑site walks and activities. Its purpose is to give the animals a break from the shelter environment while allowing members of the public to interact with them. During the day with the intern, Amaya was taken on a series of walks that provided exercise, mental stimulation, and exposure to different settings.
The program also serves as an informal adoption showcase. By allowing potential adopters to spend time with dogs in a relaxed setting, ACCT Philly hopes to give both the animals and the people a clearer sense of compatibility. The WHYY News intern’s participation demonstrated how a short, supervised outing can help a shelter dog become more comfortable around strangers and unfamiliar surroundings.
Jassmyn Nesmith explained that the initiative is designed to increase the likelihood of permanent placements for shelter dogs. By providing regular socialization opportunities, the program aims to improve each dog’s behavior and confidence, factors that are often considered by prospective adopters.
The day’s activities included walking through city parks, brief stops at pet‑friendly cafés, and a short visit to a local community garden. Throughout the outing, Amaya interacted with passersby, received praise, and was observed responding positively to the attention.
ACCT Philly continues to run the Pupventures program throughout the year, matching volunteers with a rotating roster of shelter dogs. The organization tracks adoption outcomes to assess the impact of the outings on placement rates. The recent walk with the WHYY News intern adds to the program’s record of providing dogs with enrichment and increasing community awareness of adoption opportunities.