In Weaverville, North Carolina there is a one-of-a-kind center dedicated to helping canines in need. The dogs brought there have all been found to not trust human beings, likely due to past abuse or neglect. The center is part of the ASPCA’s Behavioral Rehabilitation Center.

“This is, as far as we know, the only facility in the U.S. — and perhaps the world — exclusively dedicated to the rehabilitation of extremely fearful, undersocialized dogs,” says Kristen Collins, vice president, ASPCA Rehabilitation Services.

Collins oversees the treatment provided for as many as 65 dogs housed in the center.

Sadly, most of the dogs in their care come from puppy mills, or from hoarders who were unable to care for their pets responsibly.

The above picture is of an 8-month old brown shepherd named Ryan who has really taken to the treatment.

“He was one of 42 other dogs living in a single family house, on the second story,” explains Christine Young, a behavioral speciallist who has been working with Ryan since he arrived.

Collins explained how fearful many of the dogs were of humans when they first came to the center.

“You’d put a leash on them and they would panic and try to climb the wall and do what we call ‘gater rolling,'” adds Collins. “They’d thrash around on a leash, or even if you just tried to pet them — sometimes even if you tried to approach them — they’d lose control of their bladder or bowels or become catatonic. It was really heartbreaking to see.”

The center opened in 2013 thanks to Collins and fellow founders, Dr. Katherine Miller, and Dr. Pamela Reid. More than 30 employees are on the team, including researchers, veterinarians, and animal trainers.

Amazingly, the center has a success rate of 87% even though many of the dogs come to them after having suffered severe trauma and/or neglect.

Over 500 dogs have successfully graduated from their care.

Canines that come to the center take part in a 3-month program that teaches them to trust humans again. The dogs learn to respond to basic commands and tolerate human company without fear.

“Basically, counter conditioning,” Young explains. “So, creating a new emotional association with things that scare them.” She uses a reporter’s introduction to Ryan as an example. “So instead of being a scary thing, you become a great thing, because it means Ryan gets more cheese.”

“That’s the magic part,” Collins says. “Watching, for the first time, a dog that’s been terrified lean towards you, or play — that’s just amazing. And I can’t talk about it without getting choked up.”

At the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, the ASPCA saw a 400% increase in applications to foster animals. These numbers have since fallen back to what they were pre-pandemic, however.

“These overall statistics do not account for regional differences in how the pandemic has played out with regard to pet adoptions and, more broadly, the well-being of animals in communities,” Fleck wrote in an email to NPR.

Unfortunately, before the pandemic, the center would bring in staff from shelters all over the United States to learn. They have since switched to bringing these programs online, however.

Many (if not all) of the dogs brought to this center in North Carolina would not be able to be adopted due to their behavioral issues. Thanks to the work of the ASPCA, however, as many as 87% of them are now on their way to finding the forever-homes they deserve.

Learn more about the unique and important work the center is doing in the video below.

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Source: NPR/ASPCA\