Contrary to popular belief, you can teach an old dog new tricks, even if its only to work and play well with others. All it takes is kindness, patience, praise, and a few doggie treats don’t either.

That’s where ARF, the private Chester-based Animal Rescue Foundation steps in. As part of the process, every Tuesday from one to two pm, there is a weekly trip to the Kent Island Dog Park in Stevensville, for six or seven dogs at a time. Even though these trips are strictly for the dogs, they are a lot of fun.

ARF is located in the old outlet center at Kent Narrows. It’s basically an indoor operation, with at most a regular walk on the leash. It holds about 25 to 30 animals.

Center Director Susan Beall says her charges really look forward to the weekly trip when some of them “can get out and act like dogs. Every Tuesday as we roll up in the van about 12:30 they get very excited and know they are going to be running.”

The cats at the shelter, on the other hand tend to prefer to stay indoors. Mrs. Beall says the cats “have nice big rooms at our adoption center, and cat trees and nice big sunny windows,” so they see no reason to go outdoors.

The weekly trips are an important part of what is called a socialization process, “not only with other dogs but with people.” They teach shy and sometimes traumatized animals to be more comfortable with strangers or new environments.

It should be noted that unvaccinated puppies are not part of the weekly trips, but once that’s done, they can come out as long as they get along with the other dogs or the people they encounter. Older dogs are also part of the mix, and as long as they are treated with kindness, can easily learn new tricks of behavior.

There were four volunteers also out that day. All devoted animal lovers they made the time from their own schedules to share their own dogs with the shelter animals, as well as to enjoy each other’s company

Overall Laura Roane even calls the process “addicting.” She talked about her experience of fostering or teaching animals how to get along with future owners, calling it a part-time effort that easily turned into a 50 hour a week lifestyle. Lately, however she has cut back to around 15 to 20 hours in order to look after the rest of her life, which includes real estate.

Concerning the weekly romps, program volunteer and professional dog trainer Allison Beaulieu candidly said, “I love it. I can’t believe more people don’t get involved because I get so much from it.”

She was looking after a border collie mix that day named Tristan, who, like several other rescued dogs who was especially shy around men, either from not being used to them or because of past abuse.

Eventually, she took time out from romping with the other dogs and being rude to the trees to sniff a visitor’s hand. Another dog even insisted on a brief game of catch with his favorite tennis ball. All the dogs were rewarded with pats and treats when they came up to the volunteers working with them that day.

“We give the dogs exercise and mental stimulation they need to keep them well mannered dogs” Mrs. Beall said. “We work with every dog that comes into our organization, starting with basic obedience and house training.”

Donna Cox, who has had as many as nine dogs but now down to three, including one fostered animal. She says “I love fostering puppies, they are so cute. They are all such different characters. ” Her goal is “to get them off on the right foot. I try to get them house broken, and to understand basic commands like ‘sit,’ and ‘lie down.’”

It’s a real labor of love for Mrs. Cox, who also says that sometimes it’s hard to turn a dog over to its future owners. But she also says it’s a thing worth doing to give the dogs a good start and to help them settle in with their new people.

Mrs. Cox describes her charges as pretty good judges of people, “although some are more judgmental than others,” referring to a lanky black mutt that was shy around men, but apt to make up to people who came to the park with dogs.

It is largely a part-time, volunteer effort, but Mrs. Beall describes her people as “about 30 to 40 really good volunteers who are always there and really dedicated.“ There is also herself and three other part-time staff to look after the animals, mostly dogs, and cats.

She explained that since 1999, ARF’s mission is to “take animals from shelters and teach them how to behave around people and other animals. We are an all breed rescue group, ” open to mutts as well as purebreds, going all over the state, to rescue and work with animals.

They give prospective adopters the opportunity to meet animals in a home-like atmosphere. The program provides education, socialization, basic obedience training and a spay-and-neuter clinic.

Volunteers and foster homes are always needed. To learn more call 410-643-8700 or email info@arfusa.org.