Interactive and Therapeutic Play for Shelter Dogs with Dr. Elizabeth Congdon and Dr. Jessica Owens

Explicit content warning

02/29/24 • 54 min

Worry Less, Wag More: The Behavior Vets Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Congdon and Dr. Jessica Owens describe how play therapy reduced salivary cortisol levels in shelter dogs and improved behavioral responses and emotional regulation. We discuss:

Study design with Calmr dog toys and goals
How play with improved relationships and wellness for shelter dogs
Special design of Camlr toy mimics prey
How cortisol affects behavior
Thoughts on developing programs for shelters involving play therapy

Dr. Elizabeth Congdon's bio and links:
Dr. Elizabeth Congdon is an Associate Professor of biology at Bethune-Cookman University with an extensive background in behavioral ecology, conservation biology, and science education. She is particularly interested in the relationship between social structure and dispersal in neotropical mammals, specifically capybaras. Locally, Dr. Congdon works with animal shetlers to use data-driven strategies to improve the quality of life and adoption rates for the dogs and cats - especially the large dogs and 'bully breeds'. The latest results from her team show that therapeutic play as an enrichment strategy can bring down cortisol with a lasting effect. She founded BEC Research, Inc to help fund these efforts and support student research projects.

APDT 2023 session description:
Using interactive and therapeutic play leads to improved health and wellness in shelter dogsBEC Research, Inc www.becresearch.org
Calmr Dog Toys www.calmrdog.comDr. Jessica Owens' bio and links:
Dr. Jessica Owens is an Experimental Psychologist studying animal behavior and communication. Their day job is serving as the lead behaviorist and CEO of Unleashed Training. They specialize in working with dogs and their guardians to overcome behavior and emotional challenges resulting from trauma – including abuse, neglect, lack of socialization, etc.
www.unleashedtraining.org
[email protected]

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Study design with Calmr dog toys and goals
How play with improved relationships and wellness for shelter dogs
Special design of Camlr toy mimics prey
How cortisol affects behavior
Thoughts on developing programs for shelters involving play therapy

Contact Behavior Vets

Previous Episode

Dr. Paula Croxson (PhD): How Emotions Affect the Formation of Memories

In this episode, Dr. Paula Croxson shares insights into the formation of memories, the impact of stress and trauma on memories, and how we can change learned associations from traumatic memories. We discuss:

Different types of memories
Memories and the sense of self
The effect of stress and trauma on memories
Hardwiring of fear memories
Making traumatic memories more vulnerable to change

Dr. Croxson's bio:
Paula Croxson, PhD is a behavioral and cognitive neuroscientist, science communicator and storyteller. Dr. Croxson is a freelance public engagement specialist and consultant, working with academics and nonprofits to communicate science with the public in meaningful and effective ways. She is also an adjunct Assistant Professor in Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a consultant for Columbia University. She is a Senior Producer for The Story Collider and is passionate about sharing science with as many people as possible.
Links:
www.paulacroxson.com
@paulacroxson on FB
@paulacroxson on Instagram
The Story Collider podcast
Dr. Croxson will have a chapter in a new book: How to Win Friends and Influence FungiDr. Croxson's webinars on Behavior Vets Learn Worlds:
Revealing Animals' Intelligence
Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks: The Aging Brain
The Sensory World of Animals: The Neuroscience of Smell
What Can Animals Remember? The Neuroscience of Memory
Talk to the Animals: The Neuroscience of Communication

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Next Episode

Dr. Sheila Segurson (DVM, DACVB): Building Better Shelter Behavior Programs with Maddie's Fund

In this episode, Dr. Sheila Segurson discusses how she builds shelter behavior programs drawing on her multifaceted experience as a shelter veterinarian, shelter veterinary behaviorist, dog trainer, foster caregiver, volunteer, consultant, and educator. We discuss:

Maddie's Fund and its mission
How trauma effects behavior
Essential components of a sound shelter behavior program
Understanding the unique personality and needs of a dog
Maddie's University Camp Maddie event

Dr. Sheila Segurson's bio:
Dr. Sheila Segurson is the Director of Community Solutions for Maddie’s Fund and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists with over 25 years of experience supporting animal welfare organizations in the United States.

Dr. Segurson’s interest in shelter behavior began in 1987 when she volunteered in the behavior department at the San Francisco SPCA. Over the years, Dr. Segurson developed a diverse skillset via experiences as a volunteer, student, dog trainer, foster caregiver, veterinarian, shelter veterinarian, shelter veterinary behaviorist, consultant, and educator. Dr. Segurson utilizes that background to help shelters maximize animal welfare, lifesaving and make appropriate outcome decisions for the pets in their care and people in their community.

Dr. Segurson regularly speaks at shelter and veterinary conferences, and has contributed to several online courses and textbooks. She was the first author of University of Florida’s Shelter Animal Behavior and Welfare course (online), contributed to IAABC’s Animal Behavior Consulting course, contributed to the Fear Free Shelter Course, and contributed chapters to Animals as Crime Victims, Blackwell’s Five-minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline and BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine, Second edition.

Dr. Segurson has expertise in dog and cat behavior and behavior programs, including program structure and development, admissions, enrichment, behavioral assessment, decision making, behavior modification, foster care, adoption and safety net programs.
Links:
MaddiesUniversity.org
MaddiesPetForum.org
Maddiesfund.org
Register for Camp Maddie: Behavior Edition
Register for Maddie's Monthly Behavior Meeting
What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey
Dr. Monique Udell (PhD, CAAB) Maddie’s Insights: Becoming a Secure Base: Using science to improve human-animal bonds and welfare

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