This session offers practical, in-the-moment applications of Low Stress Handling® of dogs for shelter veterinary exams: reading the canine communication signaling, applying the 3-second rule and the least-restraint principle, adjusting the examination approach to the individual, and creating a low stress environment.
Key takeaways:
- Understand species-specific canine behavior and communication signaling and set up the environment to support a low stress experience.
- Apply the 3-second rule and least-restraint principle for dogs, adjusting handling techniques to the individual dog.
- Decide when to proceed with, adjust, or defer the examination based on the individual dog, incorporating food distraction and pharmacologic support where the shelter setting permits.
Guest Speaker: Christine Calder DVM DACVB, Director of Behavior Educational Content at Veterinary Information Network
Maddie’s Fund hosts a weekly Wednesday Zoom call for animal well-being professionals. These calls are a collaborative place to connect with peers in the industry, share exciting new programs and research on a variety of topics including foster, access to veterinary and behavior care, community partnerships and more. Plus, each call you attend (live or on-demand) gives you a chance to win up to $10,000 through our monthly grant opportunity!
The calls will be recorded to watch at your leisure if you can’t make it live, and are now approved for CAWA and NACA. Some will be approved for RACE continuing education credit, too!
Maddie’s Community Conversations will now be held on Wednesdays at 11am PT/ 2pm ET starting August 5, 2026! Register for the new date and time here: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConversationsRegistration2026
Learn more about Community Conversations, watch recordings and continue the conversation with guest speakers here on Maddie’s Pet Forum: https://forum.maddiesfund.org/communityconversations
Join us every week to learn, share, collaborate and make new friends!
