In this episode we discuss Shelter play groups, focusing on how dogs can help each other heal and progress in the shelter environment. Join myself and Trish as we take a deep dive into shelter play groups from start to finish, with some top tips around setting dogs and staff up for success.

As part of the discussion, we also talked about the use of fake dog tests and the papers mentioned can be seen here.

https://swinnercircle.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Research-article-Consistency-of-shelter-dogs_-behavior-toward-a-fake-versus-real-stimulus-dog-during-a-behavior-evaluation-copy.pdf

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016815912200168X

Trish hosts regular discussions and CPD sessions on her platform Shelter Behaviour hub so it’s well worth jumping on there and looking at some of the amazing content. The next round of shelter mentorship’s will also be starting soon, find out more here. https://www.shelterbehaviorhub.com

Bio-

Trish McMillan holds a Master’s degree in Animal Behavior from the University of Exeter in England, and is a certified professional dog trainer (through CCPDT). She specializes in training and behavior modification work using positive reinforcement with dogs, cats, and horses.

Trish started in animal welfare as a volunteer in the mid 1990’s. Over nearly eight years of employment with the ASPCA, Trish gained a wide variety of experience in the field of animal behavior. For three years she was the director of the animal behavior department at the ASPCA’s New York City shelter, helping staff, volunteers, and adopters work with animals, many of them from a background of neglect or abuse. Trish has also helped assess and rehabilitate animals from cruelty, hoarding, and dogfighting cases, as well as pets rescued from natural disasters. In addition to writing for the ASPCA’s Virtual Pet Behaviorist and other publications, she helped create and present several very popular webinars on dog and cat behavior and handling for ASPCA Pro. Trish also runs an online shelter behavior mentorship through Shelter Behavior Hub twice a year. She has spoken nationally and internationally on shelter behavior issues, and also offers in-person and remote consulting services.