Every year at Lollypop Farm, thousands of animals receive compassionate care and the chance for a brighter future. Behind many of those success stories is a small but mighty team working tirelessly to help animals feel comfortable and safe: the Behavior Team.
Comprised of just a handful of dedicated staff members, the Behavior Team plays a crucial role in supporting animals throughout their stay at the shelter. From helping fearful dogs build confidence and shy cats come out of their shells to coaching adopters through behavior concerns, no two days are ever the same.
One of the first things the Behavior staff does when a pet comes into the shelter is conduct behavior assessments. These evaluations help staff better understand an animal’s personality and needs, allowing them to create individualized care plans and make the best possible adoption matches.
For many animals, especially those who have experienced trauma, fear, or instability, behavior modification becomes a crucial part of their recovery. The team works one-on-one with both dogs and cats to help them gain confidence, learn new coping skills, and practice positive behaviors that will help them succeed in a home environment.
They also review behavior reports and follow up on concerns involving animals currently in the shelter. Each animal is an individual, and staff carefully assess their needs to help reduce stress and improve quality of life while they wait for a home.
For some dogs, this might be the chance to get out and play! Another aspect of the Behavior team’s work is to facilitate dog playgroups. These carefully managed sessions allow dogs to socialize, burn energy, practice appropriate behavior, and simply enjoy being dogs. Playgroups also help the team learn more about each dog’s personality and comfort level around other dogs, which can be incredibly helpful when matching pets with adopters.
Behind the scenes, the Behavior Team responds to phone calls and emails from fosters, adopters, and community members seeking guidance for behavior-related concerns. Whether someone needs advice for introducing a new pet into their home or support with a dog struggling with anxiety, the team works to provide practical plans.
The Behavior Team also serves as an important resource for departments across the shelter. On any given day, they may assist the veterinary clinic with handling nervous dogs during medical processing, help Admissions safely bring in a frightened or fractious animal, or support Adoptions staff during meet-and-greets with potential adopters. Additionally, the team is also heavily involved in providing staff education and safety training.
Throughout the year, they facilitate training on defensive handling techniques and on safely breaking up dog fights, ensuring staff across all departments feel prepared and confident when working with animals. Their expertise also reaches beyond the shelter walls. The Behavior Team occasionally presents educational workshops for community groups and partner organizations, sometimes traveling off-campus to share their knowledge.
Collaboration is another key part of the job. The team frequently partners with the Communications department to create educational resources, training videos, and behavior handouts designed to help adopters better understand their pets’ needs.
While much of their work happens behind the scenes, the impact of the Behavior Team can be seen every day — in a once-shy dog learning to trust, a fearful cat becoming comfortable with human touch, or an adopter gaining the confidence to welcome a pet into their family.
For the Behavior Team at Lollypop Farm, every small breakthrough matters. Their patience, expertise, and compassion help give animals the support they need to truly succeed.
