Adoptable Puppies Roam Rucker Dog Training During Humane Society Puppy Yoga

Adoptable puppies roamed the room while participants moved through an all-levels yoga class at Rucker Dog Training during a Humane Society Puppy Yoga event on Saturday, February 7. The session, listed from 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM, combined low-key yoga with on-site chances to meet dogs available for adoption, creating a mix of community wellness and animal welfare in one mat-friendly setting.

Organizers listed the host as the Humane Society of Forsyth County and the venue as Rucker Dog Training (Gainesville, GA) on the original event posting; Rucker Dog Training’s own materials and an Instagram post associated with the event reference Rucker Dog Training in Cumming, GA. Rucker Dog Training founder Scot Rucker has operated obedience classes since 2014, founded Rucker Dog Training in 2017, and moved operations to a larger facility in Cumming in summer 2022. Rucker also “has served as a board member for the Forsyth Humane Society since 2015 and is currently the board’s president,” and he helped launch the local Pups with Purpose program with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and Forsyth County Animal Shelter in 2019.

The Puppy Yoga event fits into a broader local effort to socialize and adopt shelter animals. The Pups with Purpose program gives carefully selected inmates foster care and basic obedience training responsibilities under volunteer trainer supervision. The program’s five-week minimum training schedule is intensive: each dog is socialized, crate trained, house trained and taught obedience skills like sit, recall and heel. The program has processed 22 dogs to date and was preparing to graduate its fourth class. Scot Rucker said, “They just need mentorship and for someone to let them know they're doing a good job. I had no idea what I was getting into when I agreed to volunteer for this program, and I'm so grateful for the chance to watch these guys grow with the help of the animals.” Cynthia Iacopella added, “It allows the inmates to feel self-worth. Dogs don't judge you on your past. They just want to feel loved and they'll love you right back.”

Similar humane organizations run structured “fit for paws” offerings elsewhere; Forsyth Humane Society in Winston‑Salem, NC lists Drop-in classes such as “Down Dogs & Dogs Yoga” and “Pups & Pilates,” with examples of a $25 donation to secure a spot, a 21-person class limit for some sessions, and a firm refund policy that states, “We do not offer refunds if you are unable to attend after booking. Your registration directly supports the animals at Forsyth Humane Society.” That organization can be reached at (336) 721-1303 and is located at 4881 Country Club Road, Winston‑Salem, NC; its hours are Tuesday–Saturday 10:00 AM–1:00 PM and 2:00 PM–6:00 PM.

For local pet seekers and yoga-goers, the event illustrated how community partnerships fold together training, socialization and adoption pathways. If you missed Saturday’s class, watch Rucker Dog Training and local humane outlets for future Puppy Yoga or Fit for Paws sessions; these events are practical avenues to meet adoptable animals and support shelter programs while enjoying an accessible all-levels practice.