17 May Service Trip 2026 – Day 3: Hazen & Carlisle
Today, we all headed over to Prairie County for our third shelter day. The first team went to Hazen, a small, outdoor shelter where even small improvements can make a huge difference for the dogs. With temperatures in Arkansas climbing quickly, one of the team’s biggest priorities was helping create a cooler, safer environment ahead of the summer months.
Volunteers spent the day repairing sections of the shelter roof, waterproofing vulnerable areas, and applying UV-reflective coating designed to reduce heat
inside the kennel spaces. These upgrades will help protect both the building and the dogs from the intense summer sun and severe weather that outdoor shelters face year after year.
The team also assembled a permanent dog bathing station, creating a much-needed space for easier care and grooming. Throughout the day, volunteers cleaned kennels, bathed dogs, organized supplies, and tackled general grounds cleanup to help improve both functionality and comfort around the shelter. While Hazen may be a smaller shelter, the needs are just as important.
About 15 minutes down the road, more volunteers returned to the Carlisle shelter today to continue improving the facility that was newly constructed in 2024. While the building itself was a huge step forward for the community, ongoing maintenance and upgrades are essential to keeping the shelter safe, functional, and comfortable for the dogs housed there.
One of the largest projects tackled today was spreading gravel throughout key areas of the property to improve drainage during the Arkansas heavy rains. Standing water and muddy conditions can quickly become difficult for both dogs and staff, so this project will help create a cleaner, safer environment year-round.
Teams also worked on cleaning and servicing AC units ahead of the summer heat, sealing the shelter floor to help protect and preserve the building, repairing kennel doors that allow dogs to access the outside runs, and spraying for ants around the property. Volunteers spent time landscaping, organizing, cleaning the shed spaces, and handling daily care tasks, including kennel cleaning, bathing dogs, and providing enrichment and attention to the dogs.
As our service trip begins to wind down, we’re feeling the weight of knowing we only have one more day left on the ground in Arkansas before heading back to New England. Every shelter we’ve visited has reminded us just how great the need is, and how much more we wish we could do with additional time, resources, and support.
Over the past several days, volunteers have worked long days tackling repairs, construction projects, cleaning, medical support, and daily care for hundreds of shelter dogs across the greater Little Rock area. While we are proud of everything accomplished, there are still projects waiting to be finished and shelters that need ongoing help long after we leave. Thank you for standing behind this mission with us and helping us make a difference for dogs who deserve so much more.
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