Bahama leaned over and took a drink from the fountain in Orange’s Plaza Park.
She paused for pets from a curious, if not tentative, little boy; got belly rubs while lying in a grassy patch; and sat for a treat while being a good girl while window shopping.
Bahama, a 4-year-old pit bull mix, had a pretty good day out from a dog’s perspective.
And it was thanks to a new program OC Animal Care is piloting, sending pups from the county shelter out with volunteers for a field trip.
Olivia Hamlin, a volunteer from Orange, Bahama, a 4-year-old pit bull mix, a treet during her walk up Glassell St. in Orange, March 26, 2026, during OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program. Bahama’s unique identification number for adoption is A1950860. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Olivia Hamlin, a volunteer for OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program, gives Brahama, a 4-year-old pit bull mix, a treat while walking through Plaza Square Park in the City of Orange, March 26, 2026. Dog treats and a K9 portable water container are supplied by OC Animal Care for their walks. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Special dog care backpacks with the photo and special information of each dog going on their special field trip, March 26, 2026, for OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Jenifer Rhee, an employee from OC Animal Care, gets special dog care backpacks ready for volunteers to use for the dogs they take out, March 26, 2026, as part of OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
A couple of girls walk by before turning around to give 4-year-old pit bull mix, some attention, March 26, 2026, as Olivia Hamlin, a volunteer for OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program, takes her for a walk along Glassell St. in Orange. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Jenifer Rhee, an employee from OC Animal Care, spends a little time with Bahama, a 4-year-old pit bull mix, before a volunteer comes to take him out for a field trip, March 26, 2026, as part of OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program. Bahama’s unique identification number for adoption is A1950860. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Dan Johnson of Orange stops to give Bahama, a 4-year-old pit bull mix, some attention and a treat, as Olivia Hamlin, a volunteer for OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program, takes him for a walk through Plaza Square Park in Orange, March 26, 2026. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Five-year-old Ryat Martinez of Costa Mesa reaches out to pet Bahama, a 4-year-old pit bull mix, March 26, 2026, as his father, Rayvan Martinez joins in. Bahama was on a walk through Plaza Square Park in Orange as part of OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
A group of girls gather to give Bahama, a 4-year-old pit bull mix, some attention while Olivia Hamlin, a volunteer, takes her on a walk up Glassell St. in Orange, March 26, 2026, as part of OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Olivia Hamlin gives Bahama, a 4-year-old pit bull mix, some water while on her walk up Glassell St. in Orange, March 26, 2026, as part of OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Olivia Hamlin, a volunteer from Orange, takes Bahama, a 4-year-old pit bull mix, up Glassell St. in Orange, March 26, 2026, during OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Olivia Hamlin, a volunteer for OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program, gives 4-year-old Bahama a belly rub while walking through Plaza Square Park in the City of Orange, March 26, 2026. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Veronika Velasquez, a volunteer for OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program, buckles Mayo, a 3-year-old pit bull terrier, in for his trip to Great Park in Irvine. Mayo’s unique identification number for adoption is A1938270. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Amy Hernandez, left, a Customer Service Supervisor for OC Animal Care, goes over a few rules and dog emergency protocols before handing the dog care backpack over to Olivia Hamlin, a volunteer for OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program, March 26, 2026. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Veronika Velasquez, a volunteer for OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program, picks up a dog care backpack from Alexandra Su, an employee from OC Animal Care, before Velasquez takes her dog out for a trip, March 26, 2026, as part of OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Bahama, a 4-year-old pit bull mix, stops to get a drink from the Plaza Square Park fountain in the City of Orange as Olivia Hamlin, a volunteer for OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program, takes her out for a walk, March 26, 2026. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
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Olivia Hamlin, a volunteer from Orange, Bahama, a 4-year-old pit bull mix, a treet during her walk up Glassell St. in Orange, March 26, 2026, during OC Animal Care’s Dog’s Day Out program. Bahama’s unique identification number for adoption is A1950860. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
The dogs wear orange “Adopt Me” vests, and their volunteer companions are provided with adoption information should anyone inquire. Bahama, who is about 70 pounds, is a “mellow girl” with an appreciation of exploration and meeting new people, according to her adoption page. She’s been at the shelter since Feb. 20.
The volunteers are also provided with a backpack of supplies, such as a water bowl, poop bags and treats.
The community is welcome to volunteer, shelter officials said, and can plan field trips to local parks (not dog parks for safety), for hikes or to just wander and window shop.
Field trip days are Thursdays through Sundays. You must be 18 years old with an enclosed, air-conditioned vehicle.
“The program encourages participants to take adoptable shelter dogs on short field trips, giving the animals an opportunity to experience new environments, enjoy adventures throughout Orange County, and showcase their personalities to potential adopters,” OC Animal Care officials said in a statement. “VCA Charities reports that the increased public exposure and improved socialization dogs experience on field trips make them five to 14 times more likely to be adopted.”
