Animal Rehabilitative Training - A.R.T. Program™
The Animal Rehabilitative Training or A.R.T. Program™ was established in April 2003 in conjunction with research carried out by Monash University's Dr Linda Marston PhD. The shelter kennel attendants at Animal Aid were constantly struggling with feelings of helplessness and frustration while trying to help dogs cope with the shelter environment. They also found that the task of trying to convince the public that the dog that was jumping and barking behind the gate was quite different once outside his/her pen and would make an ideal choice for adoption is easier said than done.

Studies indicate that a shelter dog has roughly three seconds to catch the eye of a prospective adoptive family as they walk along the kennel run. Behaviours such as jumping and barking can represent the coping mechanisms that dogs use to deal with the highly stimulating shelter environment. Some dogs choose to withdraw while others choose to join the throng. The quiet ones may appear more attractive, but it could just as easily mean they not as well socialized as the more vocal or outgoing neighbour.

All training and behaviour modification undertaken by Animal Aid uses positive reinforcement and reward based techniques and aims to require basic good manners from our shelter dogs. Simple requirements such not jumping up, not pulling on the lead and calm kennel behaviour. Allowing staff to enter and exit their pen with out being monstered and sitting or standing whilst making soft eye contact with people passing can greatly improve a dog's chance of being selected.

One of the key elements of A.R.T is environmental enrichment and giving dogs the tools to enable them to feel that they have some level of control, in what would otherwise seem like a completely vulnerable situation. They are offered heavy duty toys that require them to think and spend extended periods of time to enjoy. But more importantly they are given the opportunity to make choices about how they behave, in choosing to do the 'right' thing, (what we want them to do) they get to do what they want to do. Go for a walk or spend time in the yard or eat a special treat.

Our A.R.T Program has many benefits; first and foremost it aims to help the dogs cope with their stay at the shelter through environmental enrichment, empowerment and time out to de-stress. But just as importantly, it increases their chances of finding and staying in a new home endeavours by making them seem more appealing to the public. It requires a real commitment on behalf of all the staff and volunteers at Animal Aid, and relies on patience, persistence and consistency to succeed.