An innovative take on socializing and training shelter dogs is making progress across the United States and Canada. Playing for Life, a nationally recognized program used in over 55 organizations across the U.S. preaches daily play groups as an assessment, enrichment, training and adoption enhancement tool.
Developed by Aimee Sadler, director of Training and Behavior at Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation in New York, the program has seen live release rates increase to 95% in shelters where it has been fully implemented.
Despite offering playgroups for many years, the Edmonton Humane Society began implementing Playing for Life in its shelter in August 2012. Edmonton Humane, which was nominated for a 2013 Sheltering Summit, is currently the only Canadian shelter partner of the Playing for Life program. Executive Director of the EHS spent some time with InfoStream to describe how the program has benefited the shelter and where opportunities exist for other organizations across the country.
InfoStream: Can you tell me how long you've been participating?
Stephanie McDonald: We have been doing play groups for as long as I can remember, even in the old shelter. We started this unstructured, but knew that the animals would benefit from play time with other dogs. Aimee came to us in Aug 2012 to review and validate our program. We were interested in incorporating volunteers to enhance the program and she had some experience with that aspect.
The new shelter was built with the play groups in mind. We have two large pens that accommodate several groups at the same time.
InfoStream: How did your involvement come into being?
Stephanie: I simply called Aimee up. I had met her several times at some US conferences and she was receptive to coming up to help us enhance our already thriving program.
Stephanie: I simply called Aimee up. I had met her several times at some US conferences and she was receptive to coming up to help us enhance our already thriving program.
InfoStream: What do you think the benefits are to animals?
Stephanie: Enrichment is a responsibility of shelters – quality of life is a duty we have, while they stay with us. This is just one of the tools in the tool kit.
Stephanie: Enrichment is a responsibility of shelters – quality of life is a duty we have, while they stay with us. This is just one of the tools in the tool kit.
We know that the shelter environment is artificial providing time out of the kennel and a good run, jump in the pool is a great way to take the stress level down.
Other benefits are the dogs get more exercise than we can provide even with volunteers walking them. The dogs learn appropriate social interactions and
behavior staff can observe issues that may have shown up on the behavior evaluation or have a history of a certain behavior which will help the future owner deal with.
InfoStream: What about benefits to adopters?
Stephanie: We can determine the dogs social and tolerance level and set better expectations for the new owners. If the dog can play with a group of 50 to 70 dogs it is a good bet he would be fine at an off leash park or also get along with another pet in the home.
Stephanie: We can determine the dogs social and tolerance level and set better expectations for the new owners. If the dog can play with a group of 50 to 70 dogs it is a good bet he would be fine at an off leash park or also get along with another pet in the home.
InfoStream: And finally, to shelter staff?
Stephanie: We run the groups three times in the day. Many times the house broken dogs get out and as a result less mess to clean for the shelter staff. The dogs are more calm, with less stress means less barking. Our shelter is known for how quiet it is and how calm the animals seem to be. I think the structured play groups play a large role in it.
Stephanie: We run the groups three times in the day. Many times the house broken dogs get out and as a result less mess to clean for the shelter staff. The dogs are more calm, with less stress means less barking. Our shelter is known for how quiet it is and how calm the animals seem to be. I think the structured play groups play a large role in it.
InfoStream: What has your experience been so far?
Stephanie: Given that we have done this for years, and will continue it has been great for our animals and of course the volunteers and the behavior team. We would recommend any shelter to consider adding a play group program for their shelter animals. But it is not easy, it takes a lot resources
Stephanie: Given that we have done this for years, and will continue it has been great for our animals and of course the volunteers and the behavior team. We would recommend any shelter to consider adding a play group program for their shelter animals. But it is not easy, it takes a lot resources
however, the benefits outweigh the use of resources.
InfoStream: Any moments that stand out?
Stephanie: Very cool to see 70 dogs in the back pen running and having the time of their life. Watching the staff and volunteers really enjoy it as well.
Stephanie: Very cool to see 70 dogs in the back pen running and having the time of their life. Watching the staff and volunteers really enjoy it as well.
InfoStream: Would you recommend this program?
Stephanie: Totally, however you must train the staff well so you are set up for a safe environment and experience. Staff need to be able to read dog language and know when or when not to interrupt. This takes time and experience.
Stephanie: Totally, however you must train the staff well so you are set up for a safe environment and experience. Staff need to be able to read dog language and know when or when not to interrupt. This takes time and experience.
Once the staff have a good handle on it, you can consider rolling it out to the volunteers as a special program.
It does come with some challenges and some risks that should be looked at prior to launching a program like this.
InfoStream: Stephanie, thanks for taking the time to bring this program to the industry's attention.
InfoStream: Stephanie, thanks for taking the time to bring this program to the industry's attention.
No comments:
Post a Comment