Jun 23, 2023

Valentine’s Day 2023 will at all times be particular for Jeni Gossard, a volunteer with Austin Pets Alive! (APA!), because it marks the day her adoption of Sylvester, a Chihuahua with loads of love to offer, turned official. The journey up to now wasn’t a straightforward one resulting from belief and anxiousness points the pup had, however persistence, persistence, and APA!’s knowledgeable Canine Conduct Program made this “glad starting” attainable.

Generally perceived behaviors and points can create obstacles to adoption. APA!’s program makes use of a three-part method to make adoptions profitable by assessing and treating the entire canine – thoughts, physique, and spirit – utilizing play teams, obedience coaching and adoption comply with up assist to assist .

Gossard remembers the primary time she met Sylvester 4 years in the past. She says she instantly noticed how shelter life elevated his anxiousness, so she volunteered to take him residence for “sleepovers” as a part of the conduct program in order that she might observe and assess his conduct.

“He was an excellent home visitor. My first encounters with him have been constructive and there have been no conduct points,” she mentioned. She instantly thought-about adopting him, however her profession and private life made it troublesome to take care of a pet full time.

In the meantime, Sylvester was adopted right into a loving residence, however 10 months later, he was returned to resulting from anxiousness and belief points. This sample of adoption and return would proceed a number of extra occasions, with Gossard working with him for weeks every time. One thing magical occurred, nonetheless, the final time Sylvester got here again.

“When he was returned from the fourth residence, I made a decision he was “residence”, she mentioned. “Lengthy story brief, Sylvester knew I used to be his “mother” approach earlier than I spotted it.”

Gossard knew she and Sylvester would wish steering and assist from the APA! Canine Conduct Program after his adoption to efficiently deal with his belief and anxiousness points. By this system she was in a position to safe a stable workforce of “APA! aunties” who have been integral in assuaging the pup’s belief points by socialization, perseverance, and persistence.

“For sure, I’ve loads of assist by APA!’s conduct workforce, workers and volunteers. I’m frequently texting/speaking with all of his APA! aunties,” Gossard mentioned.

With out APA’s Canine Conduct Program, the result may need been very totally different. Gossard mentioned she has taken him to work and he loves her co-workers as a result of they respect his boundaries and he is aware of they’re the “deal with folks”, and the longer he’s in her residence his anxiousness has lessened and his belief has elevated.

“I like him for who he’s,” Gossard mentioned, “and can proceed to work with him so he stays a relaxed, loving, trusting and a cheerful little boy.”