Using Technology to Facilitate Behavior Treatments

There were many lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, including how to creatively leverage technology to support the behavioral health of sheltered animals housed both in a shelter and foster homes.

Technology Tips for Animal Shelters

• Use remote treat dispensers that allow staff to deploy rewards from off-site. 

• Install wi-fi cameras that make it possible to see what animals are doing when staff is not present. 

• Utilize social media and video conferencing to ensure staff and volunteers are up-to-date and engaged about shelter animal behavior support and animal care 

• During times of reduced or remote staffing or volunteer support, preemptively set up remote treat dispensers in kennels typically utilized with challenging intakes and positioned Wi-Fi cameras to monitor those kennels. 

• Use video conferencing for virtual coaching sessions for staff, volunteers, and foster caregivers to assist with implementation of behavior support (e.g., enrichment, training, and troubleshooting problem behavior). 

• Host a virtual classroom where members of the behavior team demonstrate basic training and behavior modification techniques. 

For additional details about providing behavior and enrichment support during times of reduced staffing or volunteer support (including foster homes) including specific technology and software recommendations, download the PDF.