Heartland Animal Shelter collaborated in a volunteer initiative alongside the SBB Research Group Foundation, which partners with local nonprofits through its Champion A Charity Program.

Volunteers gathered to create enrichment “busy boxes” for shelter dogs—interactive puzzles designed to reduce kennel stress and provide mental stimulation through scent, texture, and treat-based engagement.

Heartland Animal Shelter is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing care, rehabilitation, and adoption services for homeless animals, while promoting humane education and responsible pet ownership.

“We wanted to do something that had an immediate and meaningful impact on the dogs at Heartland,” said Laura Heisinger, a volunteer with the Foundation “The busy boxes are simple, but they provide critical mental enrichment that helps reduce stress and supports overall well-being. It was incredibly rewarding to see how engaged and enthusiastic our colleagues were throughout the event.”

The project resulted in the completion of two large boxes of enrichment puzzles, providing Heartland Animal Shelter with several weeks’ worth of activities for dogs in their care. The supplies were created using donated recyclables and volunteer-prepared materials, maximizing both sustainability and impact.

To learn more about Heartland Animal Shelter and how to support its mission, visit: https://heartlandanimalshelter.org

About the SBB Research Group Foundation

The SBB Research Group Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that furthers the philanthropic mission of SBB Research Group LLC (SBBRG), a Chicago-based investment management firm led by Sam Barnett, Ph.D., and Matt Aven. The Foundation provides grants to support ambitious organizations solving unmet needs with thoughtful, long-term strategies. In addition, the Foundation sponsors the SBBRG STEM Scholarship, which supports students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees.

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