Paws with a purpose: Inside Mansfield’s movement to help 100+ shelter dogs

MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Art Center has long served as a place where creativity thrives, community meets and friendships form.

The center has recently taken on a new mission — one reaching far beyond its studio walls.

The art community and animal community often have the same caring spirit, Pia Douglas, studio art coordinator for the Mansfield Art Center said. This spirit led to classes helping to raise $1,300 for the Richland County Dog Shelter.

The set of art classes not only to spark imagination, but were able to feed and care for more than 100 homeless dogs in need.

Community exceeds expectations

Several animal-loving members floated the idea of using future classes to help the shelter. Douglas noted what began as a dog portrait stained glass workshop quickly grew into a community movement.

That’s when Mansfield Art Center member, Laura Gustin, known for her energy in promoting classes, teamed with Douglas and Dog Warden Missy Houghton to make the idea a reality.

The result — four glass fusion “paw print” classes, priced simply to cover glass and kiln time, with 100 percent of donations going directly to the shelter.

“We were absolutely not expecting it to be such a success,” Douglas said. “We had an overwhelming sign-up — 113 people across four classes. It was incredible.”

While the shelter is set up to comfortably house 65 to 70 dogs, they currently have over 100. The Richland County Dog Shelter is a proud, no-kill shelter under the leadership of Houghton.

“From the shelter side we love working with different organizations in our community to involve as many people as we can,” Houghton said. “It’s great to have different ways that people can help care for the dogs in our community.

“Many art lovers are also dog lovers and that was an excellent opportunity.”

These events fed the dogs — but they also fed the people’s souls.

pia douglas

The response from Richland County and Northeast Ohio was immediate—and heartwarming, Douglas said.

The classes raised $1,300 for the shelter, but the impact went far deeper than the dollar amount. Photos, wagging tails and the sight of the community rallying around both the shelter and the Mansfield Art Center created a shared sense of hope.

“These events fed the dogs — but they also fed the people’s souls,” Douglas said.

Participants didn’t just make art — they met adoptable dogs brought to each class by the shelter. Outside the kennel environment the dogs blossomed, Douglas said, allowing for people to understand how wonderful they are.

“The laughter and camaraderie was heartwarming,” Gustin said. “We are hoping people now have a better understanding of the county’s critical needs, while also learning about and supporting the Mansfield Art Center.”

More events to come

The Mansfield Art Center has no intention of stopping, with more events ahead and more dogs waiting for homes, the spirit of collaboration is only growing. Douglas said December will bring another hands-on opportunity to help.

“Our community has shown so much heart,” Douglas said. “We’re stronger together. And the dogs need us.”

On Friday, Dec. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 20, from 1 to 4 p.m., the Mansfield Art Center will host hand-built clay dog bowl classes. Participants can keep their bowl or donate it to be sold, with profits going directly to the shelter.

“I am so proud of both organizations,” said Gustin. “This is exactly what community is about — coming together to help one another.”

For information about upcoming classes or to learn more about adoptable dogs, visit the Mansfield Art Center and Richland County Dog Shelter websites or follow them on social media.

(Photos from the Mansfield Art Center paw print classes. Provided by Laura Gustin)