Animal Welfare Professionals

We are interested in setting up a "real life" room for our dogs. We are just at the initial planning phase. At this point we need to look at setting up a free-standing space, as our current buildings just don't have room. A capital project is down the road, but that's a long road and we want to be able to offer this enrichment to our dogs as soon as we can. We'll be looking for grant support.

I know we'll need to consider cleaning needs, furniture, size, color of the walls, windows . . .  I'm sure others on Maddie's have experience that could help guide us  - any advice is very welcome. 

#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment

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Eudora Watson
Trainer and Volunteer Coordinator
Potsdam Humane Society Shelter
New York
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What are 'real life' rooms?

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Cassidy Reeves
Dog Foster Coordinator
Maui Humane Society
HI
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My understanding is that it is a room that is set up the way a room in a home might be, with a couch, chairs, a window, tables, stuff on the tables etc. to mimic the kind of room the dog might encounter at a foster or adoptive home. They are meant to add to the physical world the animal is exposed to so they can more easily adapt when they go home. It also allows for additional training opportunities such as teaching dogs to only get on furniture when invited. If it can be in a quiet place, it gives the dog (or cat) an extra break from kennel life as well. Overall, a relaxing place for the dog to hang out with a person or person. 

I think some shelters also use them to gauge degree of separation anxiety.

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Eudora Watson
Trainer and Volunteer Coordinator
Potsdam Humane Society Shelter
New York
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-08-2024 01:18 PM
From: Cassidy Reeves
Subject: "Real-Life" rooms

What are 'real life' rooms?

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Cassidy Reeves
Dog Foster Coordinator
Maui Humane Society
HI
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Interesting....I'm curious what others are doing?

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Cassidy Reeves
Dog Foster Coordinator
Maui Humane Society
HI
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-08-2024 02:37 PM
From: Eudora Watson
Subject: "Real-Life" rooms

My understanding is that it is a room that is set up the way a room in a home might be, with a couch, chairs, a window, tables, stuff on the tables etc. to mimic the kind of room the dog might encounter at a foster or adoptive home. They are meant to add to the physical world the animal is exposed to so they can more easily adapt when they go home. It also allows for additional training opportunities such as teaching dogs to only get on furniture when invited. If it can be in a quiet place, it gives the dog (or cat) an extra break from kennel life as well. Overall, a relaxing place for the dog to hang out with a person or person. 

I think some shelters also use them to gauge degree of separation anxiety.

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Eudora Watson
Trainer and Volunteer Coordinator
Potsdam Humane Society Shelter
New York
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-08-2024 01:18 PM
From: Cassidy Reeves
Subject: "Real-Life" rooms

What are 'real life' rooms?

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Cassidy Reeves
Dog Foster Coordinator
Maui Humane Society
HI

Hi Cassidy,

A real life room is just what Eudora describes. In 2021, the ASPCA used "real life room" as part of their rehabilitation protocol. https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/10-tips-make-most-real-life-rooms, How Foster Care and a Real-Life Room Gave Bugs a Lifesaving Break

ASPCA		remove preview
How Foster Care and a Real-Life Room Gave Bugs a Lifesaving Break After living in a home for four years, Bugs was relinquished to a shelter where he experienced extreme kennel stress. Find out how the ASPCA's real-life room and an amazing foster caregiver helped Bugs through his struggles. View this on ASPCA >

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Julielani Chang
The Life of Kai: Compassion Connections Inc.
Davis CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-08-2024 01:18 PM
From: Cassidy Reeves
Subject: "Real-Life" rooms

What are 'real life' rooms?

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Cassidy Reeves
Dog Foster Coordinator
Maui Humane Society
HI
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WOW!  That is a truly amazing story.  I don't know why every shelter doesn't have a room like this!  (yes, I do.  $$$)  I do feel that many, many dogs could definitely benifit from something like this and I will be sharing this with my shelter higher ups.  Thanks!!

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Cassidy Reeves
Dog Foster Coordinator
Maui Humane Society
HI
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-08-2024 10:41 PM
From: Julielani Chang
Subject: "Real-Life" rooms

Hi Cassidy,

A real life room is just what Eudora describes. In 2021, the ASPCA used "real life room" as part of their rehabilitation protocol. https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/10-tips-make-most-real-life-rooms, How Foster Care and a Real-Life Room Gave Bugs a Lifesaving Break

ASPCA		remove preview
How Foster Care and a Real-Life Room Gave Bugs a Lifesaving Break After living in a home for four years, Bugs was relinquished to a shelter where he experienced extreme kennel stress. Find out how the ASPCA's real-life room and an amazing foster caregiver helped Bugs through his struggles. View this on ASPCA >

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Julielani Chang
The Life of Kai: Compassion Connections Inc.
Davis CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-08-2024 01:18 PM
From: Cassidy Reeves
Subject: "Real-Life" rooms

What are 'real life' rooms?

------------------------------
Cassidy Reeves
Dog Foster Coordinator
Maui Humane Society
HI

We created a Real-Life room at our shelter 2 years ago. It is a small 8x12 freestanding, old cinderblock building that was an old store room. It needed  a new subfloor,  electric installed for lighting A/C-heat. 

Volunteers painted, installed new vinyl flooring, donated A/C, fan, volunteer locker for personal items, bookshelf with training books, radio/CD player, pictures  a crate for crate training  seating, dog bed and of course toys. 

K9 volunteers use this room daily. Unsocialized dogs learn about basic, house-hold skills. Dogs get to decompress, away from a loud kennel, get individual 1-1 attention, have options to play or nap on a comfy dog bed, or in a volunteers lap. 

It has definitely made a difference in our dogs behavior. 

Congratulations on working on this!

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ann traynor-plowman
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Absolutely! If we think of this without the buzz word, what do we have? We have animals thriving in shelters that are like homes. At this time my shelter is my residence. I have expanded the basement and am able to house several cats. The cats even semi feral and shy have better chances at integrating better at a foster or their forever home by being exposed to what a home looks like. In the future we aim to do the same for dogs. Our dog are will be a section of the home that we make as comfortable, clean, and home like as possible. I think of my pets upstairs and how they are treated and that is how I treat each cat in our rescue. It is good to learn as much as possible form the personality of each animal in a few days we typically know if they are shy, adventurous, or show signs of trauma. From there we aim to create the room or area that can accommodate them but also get them out of their shell, let them explore, or let them know they are safe. Best of luck with your room and comfort areas your doggies will love it! 

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[Kimberly] [Grieser]
[Founder and President]
[Stray Kitty Rescue]
[Philadelphia] [PA][https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/pa/philadelphia/stray-kitty-rescue-pa1220/][https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089161606329]
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