Shelter and Rescue Partnerships
We love supporting shelters and rescue groups in their important work rehabilitating and re-homing dogs in need. We are dedicated partners to shelters and rescues assisting them with support to staff and volunteers within their organization working with highly resource demanding dogs to prepare them for adoption and/or support them post adoption.
Services for Animal Shelters and Dog Rescue Groups
We can help with:
- Behavioral assessments for in-coming and longer-term residents to help (1) evaluate them for adoption, (2) develop a behavior modification plan, and (3) work with dogs in the shelter environment who need skilled and on-going behavior modification work. We can also help problem-solve issues these dogs are facing to make them more successful in the shelter environment
- On-going support and guidance for fosters working with more challenging dogs in a home environment through coaching programs, remote consultations, or in-home consultations.
- On-going support and guidance to new adopters who face behavioral challenges beyond their skill-level through remote or in-home consultations.
- Coaching shelter staff and volunteers to develop skills interfacing with potential adopters or supporting the rescue population.
Coaching Options for Staff and Volunteers
The success of rescuing dogs is maximized through the engagement of dedicated people.
So much about working in the animal field has to do with the cooperation and knowledgebase of committed people. Anything from staff and volunteer working relationships, to cooperation with other services and interactions with potential and existing adopters.
- Guide foster home volunteers to assess what is the most important information about the dog and work to maximize finding a permanent home
- Set up the special need behavioral dogs for success in the shelter or foster environment with least amount of effort.
- Coach volunteers on safe and effective approach to work with dogs
- Coach staff on successful matching of homes with dogs with special need
- Building a volunteer base with the same framework on how to work with dogs and why – according to human hierarchy and learning theory principles – with emphasis on cooperative care and choice to ensure safe handling
- How to engaging adopters to stay motivated when facing issues with their newly acquired dog.
- Supporting staff and volunteers with internal conflict and develop processes for handling such disputes.
We offer discounts for shelters and rescues and tailor services to meet your unique needs.
What Our Shelter and Rescue Clients Say
Vivian and Jackie from Positive Dog Solutions (PDS) played a crucial role in shaping and implementing Friends of Homeless Animals' (FOHA) new behavior and animal handling safety initiatives. Through their expertise, FOHA now boasts a comprehensive training program for staff and volunteers, well-defined safety protocols, and tailored training plans for dogs in need. PDS has effectively addressed return risk prevention by collaborating with FOHA adopters experiencing behavior challenges with their newly adopted dogs, and they also assist in placing harder-to-adopt dogs by working with adoption applicants prior to adoption to ensure a smooth transition.
I highly recommend Vivian and Jackie for their expertise, meticulousness, effective communication, and availability in supporting both people and animal interactions. The success of FOHA's behavior program owes much to the invaluable contributions of Vivian and Jackie from PDS.