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. 

What are 'real life' rooms?

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. 

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.

What are 'real life' rooms?

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. 

What are 'real life' rooms?

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Cassidy Reeves
Dog Foster Coordinator
Maui Humane Society
HI

Original Message:
Sent: 03-07-2024 07:06 AM
From: Eudora Watson
Subject: "Real-Life" rooms

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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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

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Julielani Chang
The Life of Kai: Compassion Connections Inc.
Davis CA

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

Original Message:
Sent: 03-07-2024 07:06 AM
From: Eudora Watson
Subject: "Real-Life" rooms

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

------------------------------
Eudora Watson
Trainer and Volunteer Coordinator
Potsdam Humane Society Shelter
New York
------------------------------

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. 

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

------------------------------
Eudora Watson
Trainer and Volunteer Coordinator
Potsdam Humane Society Shelter
New York
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