Rocko is a 2-year-old Labrador retriever mix who loves to run and play, according to his profile on the pet adoption website petfinder.com. Unfortunately for Rocko and most dogs that end up in the care of an animal shelter, however, there typically is little opportunity for running in a kennel.

Throughout the country, animal rescue organizations and shelters are striving to combat this sad fact by promoting the benefits of volunteering to run with a shelter dog. Clubs with names such as “Miles & Mutts" and “Rufftail Runners” are now in place in various locations. Other organizations and school athletic teams also are taking on the challenges and rewards of bringing some running joy to a shelter dog’s day. The St. Joseph High School cross country team in California even turns some of its team practices into shelter dog running sessions.

While the idea of running with the dogs is growing in popularity in many places, it hasn’t gained a lot of momentum locally. With no shortage of shelter dogs and human runners in the area, it should be a program worthy of consideration. One Groton resident recently suggested by way of a community Facebook page that the location of the town’s animal shelter, directly across the street from Fitch High School, makes it a likely spot to begin a student athlete-shelter dog running program.

Every dog owner knows too little canine exercise is a recipe for misbehaviors: barking, destruction and even aggression. In a 2014 Runners World magazine article about volunteering to run with shelter dogs, author Brandon Lausch wrote that running provides high-energy dogs with both companionship and a calming, healthy outlet for their energy. Lack of space to roam in kennels can lead to canine behavioral challenges. Ultimately, this means a less adoptable dog.

Any program that teams shelter dogs with volunteer runners should include canine screening by trained professionals, as well as appropriate training for volunteers. Teaming a potentially dog-aggressive canine with a volunteer devoid of dog experience could open a shelter to liability and end a beneficial program.

However, if shelters can — and they do — have successful dog walking volunteer programs, then why not dog running ones? There remains no shortage of eager canine candidates ready and waiting for the right group of volunteers to take on this challenge.