Today I received the fifteenth response to my questionnaire. Please see below:
Q1: What is your occupation?
President of Municipal Shelter
Q2: How do you believe current dog shelter designs affect dog behaviour - Positively / Negatively / No affect? Please state your reason for your choice.
shelter designs and environment have a huge impact from sounds to smells it all plays an essential role in wellness both mentally and physically.
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?
I wouldn't say "aggressive" I would say less reactive to their surroundings which in turn makes them healthier (mind body and soul).
Q4: How would you describe an 'ideal' environment for dog rehabilitation? What key elements would it have?
lessen the look and feel of an institution, create a calm more home like feeling....the goal is to get them home so mimicking that home setting as best as one can in a shelter environment is essential.
Q5: What do you believe are the best methods for dog rehabilitation?
positive reinforcement, consistency from commands to schedules and patience.
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?
absolutely!
Q8: Are you aware of any Rehabilitation Centres that allow traumatised shelter dogs to recover?
Yes
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'.
Best Friends
Q10: Do you believe there needs to be more Rehabilitation Centres of this nature?
yes
(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].)