An is one of our incredible Animal Welfare Officers, and has worked in our Adoption Centre for three years. Before this, she was a Lort Smith volunteer while studying a Masters of Animal Science at the University of Melbourne.
A typical day at Lort Smith for An involves lots of cleaning, behaviour assessments, behaviour modification and enrichment for the dogs, working with volunteers, helping vets with medical examinations, getting animals ready for adoption and placing them in carefully matched new homes.
An mainly works with our shelter dogs, and has always had a soft spot for nervous and anxious pooches.
"Working with them can be the most challenging, but also the most rewarding when I start to see them learn to trust, gain confidence and just be a dog again. It warms my heart even more when the most amazing families welcome these dogs into their home. The post-adoption updates are constant reminders of why I love doing what I do here at Lort Smith," says An.
Learning on the job
Lort Smith supported An to complete a certificate in dog training and behaviour through the National Dog Trainers Federation (NDTF).
"This was an amazing opportunity for me to develop my skills in reading dog behaviour, understanding the influence of genetics on dog behaviour and their breeds, and constructing behavioural modification and training plans. As part of my complex skill assessment, I taught an enthusiastic English Staffordshire terrier to ride a skateboard on cue," says An proudly.
It warms my heart even more when the most amazing families welcome these dogs into their home.
An
Why adopt
An believes there are countless reasons why choosing to adopt a shelter animal is the right choice.
"The biggest reward is knowing that you are not only giving them another chance at life, but also helping the shelter to continue its work assisting other animals in need."
Thank you, An, for all that you do for our shelter animals.