Hey, y'all. City Editor Aayat here, and one of the things I love most about Lexington is our dedication to pets. From countless dog-friendly businesses to nonprofits that make it their mission to protect our furry friends, it's clear that our city loves animals. And no other organization represents that compassion more than the Lexington Humane Society (LHS).

The humane society stays dedicated to animals all year long through community awareness events, volunteer opportunities, and programs. Today, we're sharing one of those programs with you that we participated in this week — Check Me Out.

How it works

Check Me Out allows the public to take adoptable dogs out of the building for a chance to stretch their legs, get some enrichment, and receive quality one-on-one time. No appointments are necessary — just head to LHS between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday — and you'll be paired with a wagging-tailed wonder.

Chocolatte showed off her adventurous side by exploring the Distillery District. | Photo by LEXtoday

"[The dogs] get a break from the noise and stimulation, and get to enjoy the outside world," said Meghan Hawkins, Director of Community Engagement. "We also learn more about the dogs’ personalities and behaviors, which equips us with more information to find them the right home."

The best news? The humane society equips you with a backpack of everything you need including:

Leashes and a collar
A water bottle
Collapsible bowl
Treats
Dog waste bags
Adoption information sheet

This week, Molly and I ventured out to 1600 Old Frankfort Pike to meet and spend the day with one of their sweet pooches — purely for science.

Chocolatte was sweet, curious, and the epitome of a good girl. | Photo by LEXtoday

Meet Chocolatte

Chocolatte, a one-year-old pitbull mix, came into the care of the LHS around a month ago after being picked up by Animal Care and Control. Despite her fierce-looking stature, the dog that greeted us from behind the counter was sweet, nervous, and clearly over-the-moon to have the ultimate dog-friendly girls' day.

After a little bit of encouragement (and some treats), we loaded Chocolatte into the car + kicked off her day with a pup cup from Leestown Coffee. Yes, it was gone in seconds.

We then took her for a brisk walk, starting at Town Branch Trail South Forbes Road that connects to the Distillery District along Town Branch Trail. We stopped by The Burl Arcade where she got to practice basic commands, be around a few people and distractions. She did great, but I will admit, her skee ball skills could use some work.

Her eagerness to understand and learn was evident from the very start, and by the end of the afternoon, her confidence had grown tenfold. In a matter of hours, this dog went from timid to confident + overjoyed.

If you are interested in adopting Chocolatte or want to learn more about the Check Me Out Program, contact the Lexington Humane Society.

Update: Chocolatte has officially been adopted and is living her best life at her fur-ever home.

Other ways to get involved

One of the greatest perks of LHS' programs is the variety of opportunities they have for the public to get involved and support the shelter. Whether you want to help with seniors animals, animals with medical issues, or cats, there's a way for you to participate. Here's just a glimpse of their offerings: