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Learning Research Service Volunteer Engagement

This program, which places veterinary students in training and counselling positions at the PEI Humane Society (PEIHS), has been in operation since 2001. The mandate of the PEIHS is to find “permanent loving homes” for the animals in its care. In the case of dogs, educating owners so that they have reasonable expectations about dog ownership, matching the right dog to the right home, and ongoing support of owners through behavioural and training issues with the dogs after adoption are extremely important.

This project has received funding for the next two years for the continuation and enhancement of the program. One AVC student trainer has been hired as the co-ordinator and is working full-time at the PEIHS during the summer. The co-ordinator will continue working on a part-time basis through the fall and winter semesters, and will be joined at that point by three other part-time student trainers. The shelter dogs benefit directly from this program through contact with the trainers, which includes pre-adoption assessments, training, and socialization.

The advice and support given to adopters will also benefit the dogs directly by helping them to find a permanent home. The students benefit by gaining practical experience with training and behavioural issues, as well as significant knowledge of shelter issues which they carry back to their classmates and then take with them into their careers as veterinarians. This will indirectly benefit both dogs and cats in the long term.