John and Christine Tortorella have been working with the SPCA of Westchester (in NY) on a special program called “The Way Home.” This program concentrates on training dogs that may have a harder time finding their forever homes. The goal is to decrease the length of stay at the shelter for long-term dogs (or any dog who spends more than 2 months in shelter care).

Photo courtesy of the SPCA of Westchester.

Because the Tortorellas, who truly love all dogs, have a special place in their heart for dogs that are considered “bully breeds” (or dogs labeled as pit bulls) and harder to place, this program really struck a cord with them. So the Tortorellas helped the SPCA fund a second, part-time trainer — with the goal to help even more dogs prepare for their forever homes.

“The SPCA of Westchester is extremely grateful to John and Christine Tortorella and the Tortorella Foundation for lending their support towards the implementation of this very important program. Thanks to The Way Home, many wonderful dogs are receiving more individualized one-on-one attention as well as group socialization in order to transition as quickly as possible to new and loving homes,” the SPCA said in a press release.

The SPCA of Westchester will honor the Tortorellas for their work and commitment to “The Way Home” with the John W. Beach Memorial Award on Friday, Oct. 17 at the Ritz-Carlton in White Plains, NY at their Annual Top Hat and Cocktails Gala. Tickets are still available, click here to purchase yours.

“We have very generous donors,” said Lisa Bonanno of the SPCA of Westchester. “What (the Tortorellas) are doing is a step above that — especially with the harder to place dogs. What they’re doing is unique. It’s so important to have two trainers here. It’s just huge.”

For more information on “The Way Home” program, click here.