- Title: USA: A new program turns abused dogs into playful pets
- Date: 19th July 2013
- Summary: MADISON, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES (JULY 18, 2013) (REUTERS) DOG BARKING "CAUTION" SIGN KRISTEN COLLINS, DIRECTOR OF ASPCA ANTI-CRUELTY BEHAVIOR REHABILITATION, GIVING TREATS TO DOGS (SOUNDBITE) (English) KRISTEN COLLINS, DIRECTOR OF ASPCA ANTI-CRUELTY BEHAVIOR REHABILITATION, SAYING: "This is a very exciting project. It's unique because it's the first ever facility dedicated specifically to the rehabilitation of fearful dogs from cruelty cases like puppy mill cases and hoarding cases." DOG HOWLING DOG WITH TREAT AND DOG BARKING SIGN READING "I BARK 'CUZ I'M AFRAID. PLEASE TOSS ME TREATS TO HELP!" DOG BARKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) KRISTEN COLLINS, DIRECTOR OF ASPCA ANTI-CRUELTY BEHAVIOR REHABILITATION, SAYING: "Dogs that come into this program are extremely fearful of many things. They are afraid of people. They are afraid of handling by people. They are terrified of walking on leash. They are afraid of novel sounds and sights and rooms, different surfaces to walk on. They are really terrified of normal life. Everything that a pet dog experiences is frightening to them." DOG HIDING IN CORNER DOG TREMBLING IN FEAR (SOUNDBITE) (English) KRISTEN COLLINS, DIRECTOR OF ASPCA ANTI-CRUELTY BEHAVIOR REHABILITATION, SAYING: "One of the most exciting things about this project is its potential for widespread impact. We are, of course, aiming to bring dogs in that are fearful, under-socialized and they don't have good prospects for adoption. So they are not adoptable animals when they come to us. And the goal is to improve their quality of life and prepare them for adoption. However, the other thing we are doing is gathering data as we prepare these dogs for adoption and as we try to decrease their fear. Our goal at the end is to be able to share our findings with animal welfare communities nationwide. And in that way we'll be able to indirectly help countless other animals from similar backgrounds." VARIOUS OF MOCK BEDROOM WITH DOG NAMED "PEANUT" RECEIVING TOUCH THERAPY SOUND MACHINE WITH LAWNMOWER SOUND VARIOUS OF DARK KENNEL WITH CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING IN BACKGROUND FOR "ZEN TIME" SIGN READING "IT'S ZEN TIME" VARIOUS OF HEATHER CAMMISA, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ST. HUBERT'S ANIMAL WELFARE CENTER WITH DOG NAMED "SUGAR" (SOUNDBITE) (English) HEATHER CAMMISA, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ST. HUBERT'S ANIMAL WELFARE CENTER, SAYING: "Well St. Hubert's, we are going to benefit as will shelters and groups across this country and beyond by the learnings that are drawn out of this incredible project. It's something that we absolutely need when animals are rescued from these puppy mills and these hoarding cases. They are so under-socialized, underexposed and it takes a tremendous amount of resources for us to rehabilitate them. And to know how to do it in the best possible way, it's great for the animals, it's great for the resources in the sheltering system and of course it's wonderful for the adopting families when the pet is ready to be integrated into a home environment." VARIOUS OF DOGS "THUNDER" AND "AVALON" PLAYING
- Embargoed: 3rd August 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVACA0JYEBXQPY22OGMXV0YKOX5H
- Story Text: Rescued dogs are finding treatment at a new one-of-a-kind facility in New Jersey that aims to transform the abused and neglected animals into playful, loving family pets.
The new two-year research program is run by the ASPCA (American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and is located at the St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey, about 45 minutes outside Midtown Manhattan.
The program is the only one of its kind in the U.S. to focus solely on changing the behavior of abused dogs. The dogs are brought to the center after being rescued from hoarders or large breeding operations known as puppy mills if the animals are treated badly.
"This is a very exciting project. It's unique because it's the first ever facility dedicated specifically to the rehabilitation of fearful dogs from cruelty cases like puppy mill cases and hoarding cases," said Kristen Collins the Director of ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Behavior Rehabilitation.
The program received its first group of dogs in March. The newest group arrived in May from a puppy mill in Michigan where they were discovered covered in dirt and mud and fearful of humans and other animals.
At the rehabilitation center, some dogs still fear humans and tremble or try to hide. Other dogs bark or display other agitated behavior.
"Caution" signs warn handlers if a dog is prone to panic or defensive behavior.
"Dogs that come into this program are extremely fearful of many things. They are afraid of people. They are afraid of handling by people. They are terrified of walking on leash. They are afraid of novel sounds and sights and rooms, different surfaces to walk on. They are really terrified of normal life. Everything that a pet dog experiences is frightening to them," explained Collins.
To help the dogs overcome their fears, some of the training techniques include Real Life Rooms where dogs are brought into mock bedrooms or living rooms.
There, they learn to live in a home without being scared of household items. They also learn how to interact with humans.
The dogs are exposed to common sounds such as traffic, horns and lawnmowers.
And they learn to relax. During Zen Time, the dogs stay calm listening to classical music.
All of the training at the rehabilitation center will be used for research into the best methods of treating abused animals. At present, many animal shelters do not have the resources to handle extreme abuse cases.
"One of the most exciting things about this project is its potential for widespread impact. We are, of course, aiming to bring dogs in that are fearful, under-socialized and they don't have good prospects for adoption. So they are not adoptable animals when they come to us. And the goal is to improve their quality of life and prepare them for adoption. However, the other thing we are doing is gathering data as we prepare these dogs for adoption and as we try to decrease their fear. Our goal at the end is to be able to share our findings with animal welfare communities nationwide. And in that way we'll be able to indirectly help countless other animals from similar backgrounds," said Collins.
The dogs stay in the program for about six to eight weeks, longer if necessary.
Once the dogs graduate and are ready for adoption, most go to St. Hubert's.
St. Hubert's is working closely with the ASPCA. St. Hubert's finds homes for the animals, monitors their progress and evaluates the effectiveness of the treatments.
Heather Cammisa, President and CEO of St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center said the dogs are showing tremendous progress.
"They are so under-socialized, underexposed and it takes a tremendous amount of resources for us to rehabilitate them. And to know how to do it in the best possible way, it's great for the animals, it's great for the resources in the sheltering system and of course it's wonderful for the adopting families when the pet is ready to be integrated into a home environment."
Right now, there are about 30 dogs in the ASPCA program, including seven graduates.
In the future the ASPCA hopes to treat animals with more extreme cases of abuse, such as those involved in dog fighting.
During an outdoor play group, Alaskan Malamutes "Thunder" and "Avalon" were learning how to interact with humans as well as each other. Both dogs were rescued from a puppy mill in Montana earlier this year. At the start of the program, both were extremely fearful of human touch. Now, both are close to completing the program and the ASPCA has already arranged for the pair to be adopted together.
Good news, as man's best friend gets a new leash on life. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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