Today I received the twenty fifth response to my questionnaire. Please see below:
Q1: What is your occupation?
Applied Animal behaviorist
Q2: How do you believe current dog shelter designs affect dog behaviour - Positively / Negatively / No affect? Please state your reason for your choice.
Negatively: no reduction of visual, auditory, tactile stimuli; difficult to keep from triggers for aggression
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?
The environment is important, and even more so is that there be a science based treatment plan
Q4: How would you describe an 'ideal' environment for dog rehabilitation? What key elements would it have?
Make reduction of arousal thru environmental management easy, allow for prevention to exposure for known triggers for fear & aggression, and have space & equipment for behavior modification exercises
Q5: What do you believe are the best methods for dog rehabilitation?
Science based humane training programs, behavior modification focusing on ds/cc and response substitution, environmental management, medical management including osychopharmacological intervention when needed
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?
Yes, although species difference regarding perception of light, sound, and temperature should be considered
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'.
ASPCA shelter project in NJ/dir Kristen Collins
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].)