The Underdog Project
Volunteering to partner directly with rescues + shelters
Helping the forgotten dogs find their way home.
Our Mission
To help overlooked dogs rise into their potential—and to support the people who refuse to give up on them.
Because every underdog has a story worth telling. And every one of them deserves a soft landing.
Every shelter has them—the dogs who’ve been passed over time and time again. The shy ones. The misunderstood. The reactive, the shut down, the too-much or the too-quiet. These dogs are survivors. They’re fighters. And with the right support, they’re capable of transformation.
The Underdog Project was created to give these long-term residents a real chance—not just at adoption, but at a life where they feel safe, seen, and loved.
What We Do:
We volunteer to partner directly with shelters and rescues to support both the dogs and the humans who care for them. Through trauma-informed training, nervous system healing, and confidence-building enrichment, we help long-stay dogs release fear, regain trust, and show the world who they really are. At the same time, we empower staff and volunteers with practical tools, compassionate education, and emotional support—so the impact lasts long after we leave.
Program Includes:
Behavior & Wellness Assessments: Deep-dive evaluations for long-term or high-risk dogs to uncover emotional and behavioral roadblocks.
Customized Healing & Training Plans: Realistic, relationship-based programs designed to rebuild confidence, reduce stress, and prepare dogs for adoption.
Nervous System Support: We blend science and soul—using enrichment, sensory work, energy healing, and calming techniques to regulate overwhelmed dogs.
Shelter & Rescue Staff Coaching: Hands-on guidance and emotional support for staff. We teach not just how to train, but how to hold space for healing.
Adoption-Ready Skills & Storytelling: Training for real-world success plus creative support to showcase each dog’s progress and personality—because every underdog deserves to be seen.
Ready to transform the longest-stay dogs into your greatest success stories? Let’s give the underdogs the spotlight they deserve.