The key to health play?
Managing arousal.
Maintaining moderate to low arousal during inter-dog play is one of the keys to keeping it safe.

As the saying goes, "arousal tips to aggression", and the circumplex model of arousal that is explained in our guidelines provides a really great visual of that adage.

2022 Shelter Behavior
& Enrichment Conference
will be held in-person & virtually! 

main conference:
June 10-12, 2022
pre-conference workshop:
June 9th


Ours is the only shelter-oriented conference that is entirely positive-reinforcement focused. This year, we are adding both dogs and cats to the content.
Dr. Chris Pachel will discuss common psychopharmaceuticals that are used as an adjunct with a behavior plan for both dogs and cats.

Mara and Fernando will discuss working safely and effectively with dogs and cats exhibiting high-arousal behaviors.

Tabitha Kucera will provide low stress handling for cats and dogs will help you develop training plans for dog and cat clients alike.
ICMY: Mara Velez and Emily Strong discuss playgroups and enrichment
Give a listen to my conversation with Emily Strong on the Pet Harmony podcast, Enrichment for the Real World.

We had a fun conversation about enrichment and playgroups.
Career Corner
Are you a shelter behavior professional looking for a new role with a great team?
The SPCA Monterey of County
in Salinas, CA is hiring a full-time TLC BEHAVIOR ASSISTANT. This role is responsible for assisting in the behavior evaluation, training, and implementation of behavior protocols for shelter dogs, husbandry of animals housed in the TLC building, and other duties as assigned.

The SPCA of Monterey County is the home to an amazing team, including a seasoned behavior consultant that you'll work with. This is a chance of a lifetime! Click here to learn more and apply!
The Surrey Animal Resource Centre (SARC) has an opening for an Animal Welfare Attendant. As an Animal Welfare Attendant, you are responsible for providing a high standard of animal welfare and behavioural support for a variety of species. In addition, you will be assisting in
developing, implementing, and supporting training for staff, volunteers and the community. This role requires the
building and fostering of professional relationships with both internal and external stack holders. You'll be working with lots of graduates of the SPA educational program at SARC! What could be better? Click here to learn more and apply
The San Francisco SPCA (SFPCA) is hiring a Behavior Trainer/Associate. This position provides positive reinforcement training and support of clients and patients of the behavior specialty clinic as directed by the Board Certified Veterinarian (DACVB). Mentoring to staff and volunteer teams, and supporting adopters prior and post adoption with training is expected. The ideal candidate possesses credentials such as CTC, CPDT-KA, or PCT-A, is committed to the mission and values of the SF SPCA and has experience in fear-free, evidence/science-based approach to animal management and training. Click here to review the position and apply!
SPA Educational Program Structure
Submit your interest for the Winter Cohort starting August 1st!

Program Overview: This four-month series of educational modules will prepare participants to manage playgroups using the LIMA ethical standard and use conspecific interactions for behavior modification and is almost 40 hours of content.

Cohort Structure: Learners will be invited to join a cohort that will meet virtually for four months via the LITMOS LMS platform. Each cohort will be invited to twice-monthly (bi-weekly) hour-long, live meetings via Zoom webinar so that questions can be answered live. The bi-weekly meetings will feature video analysis and discussion of relevant topics.

Registration process: Individuals interested in joining each cohort must submit an “e-mail of interest” to the executive director, Mara Velez (mara@shelterdogplay.org) requesting to be added to the upcoming cohort. Each person must login at least twice a month and complete modules in order to continue. If, after a period of 30 days, a learner has not logged-in, they will be contracted; if no response within five days, their user account will be deactivated.

Completion Timeframe: Learners will be expected to complete two modules per week, which will require 60-90 minutes per week. The program consisting of Foundation and Intermediate modules will be expected to be completed within a four month time-frame. The total seat time per week is estimated to be two to two and a half hours.
The Shelter Playgroup Alliance is an entirely volunteer-run organization that relies on donations to support our educational efforts, so every penny of your donation goes a long way! If you like what we do, consider a $35 donation to help off-set our costs. Click here to view our 2020 Annual Report which details our expenses.