Shelter Summer Institute
Schedule for August 19-23, 2019 in Roanoke, Virginia
Monday, August 19
9 AM - 12 PM: Roanoke Higher Education Center, Room 710
Lecture: Introduction to Dog Behavior & Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Shelter Edition. How do we develop evidence-based interventions in the shelter? We start by observing the dogs!
1:30 - 5 PM: Lynchburg Humane Society
Shelter tour & working field trip: We'll work be working in small groups to understand firsthand how to use various methods of behavioral observation and data collection techniques
Welcome dinner at Fortunato (104 Kirk Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24011)
Tuesday, August 20
9 AM - 12 PM: Roanoke Higher Education Center, Room 710
Lecture: Behavior Assessments - What Does the Science Say? How do we use intake info, observations from staff & volunteers, assessments to make decisions & recommendations
1:30 - 5 PM: Roanoke Valley SPCA
Shelter tour & working field trip: We'll be assessing dogs, gathering information, & making recommendations. Teams will evaluate dogs & come back together to discuss findings (comparing different evaluations of the same dogs)
Dinner on own
Wednesday, August 21
9 AM - 12 PM: Roanoke Higher Education Center, Room 710
Lecture: Dog-Centric Enrichment - Co-housing, dog-dog interactions, & playgroup recommendations (including issues with aversive control)
1:30 - 5 PM: Montgomery County Animal Care & Adoption Center
Shelter tour & working field trip: We'll conduct shelter dog introductions, discuss behaviors observed & personalities that work well together, and facilitate interactions among small groups of dogs
Dinner at Roanoke-area Restaurant TBA
Thursday, August 22
9 AM - 12 PM: Roanoke Higher Education Center, Room 710
Lecture: People-Centric Enrichment - Sleepovers, in-kennel enrichment & behavior modification
1:30 - 5 PM: Regional Center for Animal Care & Protection
Working field trip: We'll observe the shelter's dogs, identify appropriate/inappropriate behaviors, develop interventions, and test their efficacy
Group hike with shelter dogs
Dinner on own
Friday, August 23
9 AM - 12 PM: Roanoke Higher Education Center, Room 710
Lecture: Doing What We Do Better - Increasing adoptions, reducing length of stay, decreasing relinquishment & providing community support
1:30 - 5 PM: Roanoke Higher Education Center, Room 710
Research/Program Design: What is one program you’d like to implement at your shelter & why? Describe logistics of implementation: What would you do, who would do it, and how would you measure success
What is one research study you’d like to carry out at your shelter & why? Describe logistics of implementation: What would you do & how would you carry it out