Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  How does your organization identify and manage dogs with separation anxiety?

    Posted 11-22-2022 11:23 AM


    Hi,

    Separation anxiety can be complicated in terms of identifying whether it’s transient related to adjusting to a new home, is actually anxiety related to confinement and not separation from a person they’re attached to, vs. true separation anxiety. It can be really time consuming and tricky to get accurate info about this issue for the dogs in our care.

    What is your organization’s process for assessing dogs with potential separation anxiety? Any staff training that's out there that you recommend? How do you support dogs with separation anxiety or potential sep anx as they transition into homes?

    Thx,
    Sheila


    #AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms
    #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment

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    Sheila Segurson, DVM
    Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
    Director of Outreach and Research
    Maddie's Fund
    9258608284
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  • 2.  RE: How does your organization identify and manage dogs with separation anxiety?

    Posted 11-22-2022 01:15 PM
    Hi Sheila,

    I am no expert in the space but I have seen a great org in Hawaii who is working to use tourism to help in their evaluation of dogs and their temperament. I don't think this fully answers your question, but I do think it is helpful in identifying a baseline of dogs who might have more generalized anxiety. Are there trigger points related to certain situations (children, other dogs, loud noises, busy places etc)? Answers to these questions help put a profile together and then can maybe support the discovery work related to separation anxiety. I have included the program link for the Hawaii org below... pretty neat stuff! People get to explore Hawaii, help dogs, and advertise adoptions for the shelter.


    Link: Field Trips for Shelter Dogs: In Honor of Jian Mehta - Kaua'i Humane Society (kauaihumane.org)

    I am curious to follow along this thread to learn more!

    Thx,

    Harrison

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    Harrison Porter,
    Human-Animal Bond Certified - Pet Therapy Advocate 
    Orlando Health Foundation

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    Harrison Porter
    Director of Development
    Orlando Health Foundation
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  • 3.  RE: How does your organization identify and manage dogs with separation anxiety?

    Posted 11-22-2022 02:28 PM
    We cannot really assess this in our shelter.  It is just an awful set up. We usually get the information from fosters or owner notes. If it is happening in a foster home and the foster can work with you, a camera is great to help determine if it is confinement or separation from their human. 
    When we have known or suspected separation stress/anxiety we will try to talk to the  adopters and give them written resources to help. The Behavior Team and volunteer trainers will also help walk them through it. 


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    Michelle Harmon
    LifeLine Animal Project At Fulton County Animal Services
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