Shelter dogs were used to retrieve balls during Brazil Open

Four shelter dogs rescued from the slums around Sao Paulo, Brazil, were trained as “ball dogs” for an exhibition match at the Brazil Tennis Open tournament. Not only was it a heartmelting and emotional moment, but it also went pretty well, as you can see:

The dogs seemed to enjoy the task, despite the stressful environment and were quick to take the balls out of the field. Their trainer Andrea Beckert explained how this was an especially difficult task for them, as they were mistreated and abandoned by previous owners:

“These are dogs that were mistreated,” she told AP. “We have to make them adapt, feel the environment, the court, the noise of the balls and the noise of the people.”

Of course, the dogs were quick in taking the ball off the field. However, they weren’t so quick to give them back…

Shelter dogs were used to retrieve balls during Brazil Open – and it was awesome

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