Today I received the sixth response to my questionnaire. This answer is particularly insightful, as it is not from the perspective of an animal organisation or relative to animals. The answers are purely based on mental psychology and the effects trauma can impose.
Q1: What is your occupation?
Healthcare Assistant at a Psychiatric Hospital
Q2: How do you believe current dog shelter designs affect dog behaviour - Positively / Negatively / No affect? Please state your reason for your choice.
Negatively
Q3: Do you believe that if given the right environment to rehabilitate, more dogs would be less 'aggressive' in shelters, and have the chance of becoming more adoptable?
Yes
Q4: How would you describe an 'ideal' environment for dog rehabilitation? What key elements would it have?
It would be a warm environment which avoids cold, clinical walls in material and colouring. A more homely environment which allows the dog to readjust to home life again.
Q5: What do you believe are the best methods for dog rehabilitation?
A caring, warm attitude towards the dog, with lots of one to one care and positive reinforcement to make the dog feel loved and mould it into a more
Q6: Alongside rehabilitation methods, to what extent do you believe architecture has a role in rehabilitation?
Quite Important
Q7: There are numerous examples of calming architecture, designed to calm people dealing with emotional trauma. Elements of this include panoramic views with lots of natural light, sound absorption and the integration of nature / outdoors.Based on your experiences, could this concept of calming architecture have a similar outcome for troubled dogs?
I believe so, any animal would do better in a calm and comfortable environment, and one of which resembles the outside would be beneficial as animals live outside. However with the warm and comfort of a home.
Q8: Are you aware of any Rehabilitation Centres that allow traumatised shelter dogs to recover?
No
Q9: If selected 'Yes' on previous question, please state the name of the Rehabilitation Centre and any additional information regarding their methods. Otherwise, please state 'N/A'.
N/A
Q10: Do you believe there needs to be more Rehabilitation Centres of this nature?
Yes, as it gives animals the chance to become accepting of others and transform into a friendly, family pet which would make an owner and the dog very happy. Too many dogs are lost, which otherwise could be saved due to the fact they are not rehabilitated in an effective way and are therefore written off as a 'lost cause.' Something which needs to change!
(SurveyMonkey, 1999-2014. SurveyMonkey [online]. Available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/ [Accessed on 9th November 2014]. Published questionnaire available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7PYBVBF [Created on 9th November 2014].)