Behavior Training for Animal Shelter Staff, Volunteers & Rescue Teams
Prevent behavior problems. Reduce bite incidents and injuries. Improve animal welfare.
Many behavior problems in shelters and animal care settings are unintentionally caused or worsened by well-meaning but outdated handling and training methods. Alana Stevenson provides practical, science-based training in dog and cat behavior modification and humane handling for shelter staff and volunteers, rescue groups, animal control officers, and veterinary care teams — available online and in-person.
Online Tutorials for Shelter Staff & Volunteer Training
Pre-recorded dog and cat behavior tutorials are available for individual use or as discounted bundles — ideal for onboarding new staff and training volunteers. Watch anytime after registering, as many times as needed.
Dog Behavior Training Tutorials • Cat Behavior Training Tutorials
In-Person Workshops & Staff Training
Alana is available for in-person workshops, staff training days, and volunteer education sessions. With extensive experience teaching animal behavior and humane handling, Alana tailors workshops to the specific needs of your organization — drawing from a broad curriculum covering dog behavior, cat behavior, safe handling, bite prevention, and behavior modification. Topics can be customized based on the animals in your care and the experience level of your staff.
Cat Behavior Training
- Fear Free and low-stress cat handling
- Gentle, low-stress intake procedures
- Behavior modification for feline aggression
- Calming fearful, anxious, and aggressive cats
- Bite prevention
- Fear of touch and handling
- Defining and assessing behavior problems
- Socializing feral cats and kittens
- Kitten handling protocols for foster programs
- Designing and implementing kitten training classes
- Housing multiple cats to prevent behavior problems
- Cat-friendly housing and environmental enrichment
Dog Behavior Training
- Kennel aggression prevention and management
- Safe handling of defensive and reactive dogs
- Fear of touch and handling sensitivities
- Dog bite prevention
- Defining and assessing behavior problems
- Behavior modification for fearful and unsocialized dogs
- Counter-conditioning exercises to prevent aggression
- Reactive dog protocols that protect dogs and handlers
- Rehabilitation for traumatized and aggressive dogs
- Introducing dogs in high-stress environments
- Understanding dog-to-dog interactions
- Managing dog play groups to prevent conflict
Alana is open to working with organizations that share a commitment to humane, science-based care—particularly in areas where training support is limited. Virtual behavior support is available to animal shelters and rescue organizations throughout the US and internationally.
Staff Training Testimonials
“I was fortunate to attend Alana Stevenson’s seminar at Paws4Ever in Mebane, NC where I volunteer train for them. She provided great information and assistance on how to work with dogs who are fearful and leash reactive, and taught us leash techniques that are really effective. We loved her demonstrations.” ~ Kelley Neiderhiser, Gate City Animal Hospital, North Carolina
“Our front staff is still talking about your seminar, and applying what you’ve said to evaluate the way pets are behaving in the lobby!” ~ Shannon Nowak, LVT, Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas
~ Heather O’Steen, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
~ Jessica Danyow, Executive Director, Homeward Bound
“Excellent short videos like yours provide positive training expertise for all our volunteers and staff. ~ Shelley Thayer, Executive Director, Cat Depot, Sarasota, Florida