Oakdale Animal Shelter is inviting residents to spend time with adoptable dogs through its “Doggie Day Out” program, which allows community members to take a shelter dog on short outings for enrichment and socialization.

The program is designed to give dogs a temporary break from shelter life while helping staff learn more about each animal’s temperament and behavior outside the kennel environment. Outings may include walks, picnics, shopping trips or visits to local businesses.

According to the shelter, the program benefits dogs by reducing stress, increasing their visibility to potential adopters and providing valuable feedback to staff about how the animals interact with people and new environments.

Residents interested in participating are asked to contact Oakdale Animal Shelter directly at 209-847-5625. The shelter is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Shelter officials note that the program is flexible and allows participants to volunteer at their convenience, making it accessible for a wide range of schedules.