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In 1996, Nana developed S.T.A.R. (Specially Trained Adoptable Rovers), a training program teaching shelter volunteers to train shelter dogs at a local Humane Society. S.T.A.R. is now in its 9th year and Nana wants to share her insight with other trainers to help them implement programs in their areas. It is well known that the quality of life for the shelter dogs deteriorates significantly the longer they remain in the shelter environment without intervention. Mental stimulation from training reduces stress, counters the effects of living in a shelter environment, and provides the necessary care to meet the needs required for maintaining the mental health and emotional well being of shelter dogs. Through training, the staff knows the dogs better and this knowledge assists in making appropriate matches. The dogs leave the shelter better behaved and trained than when they first arrived. As a result successful adoptions occur and the dogs remain in the home living out the rest of their lives with their new family. Three major challenges of trainers working as volunteers at a shelter are getting the shelter to adopt the idea & give it a green light, working within the means of the system, and the logistics of getting the program off the ground. In addition to addressing the above problems, Nana will give you specific exercises to increase the dogs’ adoption appeal & chances of remaining in the home once adopted; talk about ways to enhance the quality of life for dogs while in the shelter; and address problems of individual dogs & how to develop training plans in a shelter environment. |
