Placer SPCA Behavior Department Coordinator Meghan Oliver, left, presents a terrier named Brooks to a toddler doll, held by Animal Care Technician Aleah Valenzano, to gauge his initial reaction.
Does the dog curiously sniff the doll, or stiffen up and approach it like prey? “One husky accidentally took the head off and then ran around with it, but it was OK because at that point it was a toy,” says Oliver, who conducts an assessment of every dog and cat that enters the Roseville shelter to ensure they are safe around other animals, children and the general public.
Each assessment takes about 10 minutes and includes monitoring how the dog socializes, handles tolerance (Oliver holds the animal’s collar, picks up feet, opens the mouth), plays with toys and reacts to the removal of food. Oliver also does an exercise where she runs across a space to see how the dog responds: “Some get overly excited and try to tackle me, so that’s not fun.”
German Shepherd puppy Jersey and pit bull Optimus Prime get acquainted at the Placer SPCA in Roseville, as the puppy learns how to socialize with other dogs through the help of Meghan Oliver, the behavior department coordinator. She says one of her favorite parts of the job is working with shy and timid animals to help them overcome their fears.
We take them on field trips out of the shelter like to Home Depot and the pet store to get them more experienced outside, or on a nice walk along the bike trail to see nature,” Oliver says. The hardest part is having to say goodbye to animals she has grown attached to, although it’s also a proud time. Fortunately, many owners who adopt from the Placer SPCA will send holiday cards and emails with updates on their new pets, which Oliver appreciates. “They know how much they were loved here.”
