CENTER FOR SHELTER DOGS
SUMMER INSTITUTE 2010
Each June, the Center for Shelter Dogs hosts The Summer Institute -- a unique, intensive, week-long training opportunity for animal care professionals whose job involves dog intake, behavior evaluation, training, and adoption. Topics will include:
- Collecting the most useful and predictive intake information from the previous home/organization.
- Performing the Animal Rescue League NEW MATCH-UP behavior evaluation, interpreting the results, and using the results to find the best home for the dog.
- Designing and executing effective behavior rehabilitation and training programs.
- Implementing enrichment tools and techniques, including supervised playgroups, to improve quality of life and decrease stress.
- Performing easy and useful post-adoption follow-ups.
Please click here for more information about the 2010 Summer Institute and to register.
Daily Activities
Each day will begin with a classroom presentation at our headquarters in Boston, MA. Participants will then receive hands on training to gain practical experience in various aspects of behavior evaluation and modification, with individual instruction as needed. Prior to the close of the day, there will be a chance to review and ask questions. Throughout, there will be close interaction with our expert faculty.
The Summer Institute will begin with a welcome reception on Tuesday, June 15th where participants will have a chance to meet each other, the instructors, take a tour the shelter, pickup program information, and have some food and drink. The educational component of the program will commence on Wednesday morning (approximately 8 am) and then conclude on Sunday, June 20th at approximately noon. Each day will begin with a continental breakfast at approximately 8 am, be composed of an hour long lunch break with food provided, and then close at approximately 4-5 pm. Please remember that when scheduling transportation and accommodation, the program will close at noon on the last day (Sunday June 20th).
FACULTY
Dr. Amy Marder
Dr. Marder (seated, left) is a veterinarian and a Certified Applied Animal Behavior Consultant through the Animal Behavior Society. She is a graduate of the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine and completed the very first residency in veterinary behavior at the same institution. For the past 20 years, Dr. Marder has been helping owners and their pets with behavior problems through her private practice New England Veterinary Behavior Associates. From 1999 to 2001, Dr. Marder served as Vice President of Behavioral Medicine at the ASPCA in New York City, where she founded the Center for Behavioral Therapy. During her time at the ASPCA Dr. Marder studied the behavioral evaluation of shelter dogs with the purpose of developing an objective and predictive test which could be used in animal shelters.
Dr. Marder has written two books and edited another for pet owners on general pet care. She was the author of Prevention Magazine’s “Your Healthy Pet” column and has been a frequent contributor to veterinary textbooks and journals. Dr. Marder is also often asked to appear on television (20-20, Geraldo Live, Animal Planet) and is interviewed on the radio and press.
Dr. Marder served as Director of the Behavioral Service at the Animal Rescue League of Boston but has recently accepted the position as the Director for the Center for Shelter Dogs. In her current post, she oversees all research programs, manages a staff of four, continues to oversee all behavior programs for the Animal Rescue League, as well as, providing private consultations to pet owners of adopted dogs. She lectures and consults to shelters and at conferences throughout the US and internationally about animal behavior issues. Additionally, as an adjunct faculty member at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Dr. Marder hosts veterinary students from around the country for behavior externships at the ARL of Boston.
Dr. Shelia (Segurson) D'Arpino
Dr Sheila D'Arpino is a pet behavior specialist and is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. Her interest in animal behavior began in 1988 while volunteering in the behavior department at the San Francisco SPCA. She graduated from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. After a one year internship in medicine and surgery at The Animal Medical Center in New York, she spent 5 years working as a general practice/emergency veterinarian at animal hospitals in San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Sacramento, California. Her interest in companion animal behavior was renewed while working at Pets Unlimited ( a non-profit veterinary hospital and animal shelter in San Francisco) which led to a three year post-graduate Behavior Specialty Training Program at UC Davis, with an emphasis on shelter animals and shelter behavior programs.
After completing the specialty training program, Dr. D'Arpino worked for the UC Davis Shelter Medicine Program and started a behavior specialty practice, Sacramento Veterinary Behavior Services. She is currently a Senior Applied Animal Behaviorist for the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
Below, left: attendees enjoying dinner at a nearby restaurant. Right: Participants of the 2009 Summer Institute.
Seana Dowling
As Research Director, Seana manages the Center’s research programs and activities. Prior to joining the Center for Shelter Dogs, Seana worked for 14 years at hi-tech market research firm IDC. At IDC, she was Research Director of Advanced Analytics at IDC's Quantitative Research Group. In this role, Seana designed, managed, and analyzed data from surveys around the world. With extensive experience in demand-side project design and management, Seana focused on conducting statistical analyses to identify and explore data trends at a deeper level. She has worked on a variety of projects involving advanced statistical analysis of demand-side data, including the development of new segmentation strategies based on cluster analysis and identification of key drivers of technology adoption using predictive analytics.
Seana also serves as President of PoundHounds Inc., a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization helping the dogs in town pounds. Ms. Dowling holds an M.S. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage and a B.A. in Psychology from the College of the Holy Cross. She is Primary Research Certified (PRC) at the Expert Level.
Marianne Gasbarro
Marianne Gasbarro has been with the Animal Rescue League of Boston full time since 2000. She currently serves as the shelter manager for the Boston location and is also a board member of Massachusetts Animal Coalition. Marianne began as the adoption supervisor at the ARL of Boston and is excited to discuss her years of adoption experience and new playgroup formation at the League with Summer Institute participants. Marianne graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a BS in animal science. Before joining the ARL of Boston, she spent time as a veterinary technician. Now - when she has spare time- Marianne works on refining the true art of positive reinforcement with 26 month-old identical twin boys, a black Lab, 3 cats and a husband.
Jacqueline Fantuzzi
Jacqueline holds an M.A. from Hunter College focusing on companion animal behavior, an M.B.A. from Montclair State University, and an M.S. from Rutgers University concentrating on equine exercise psychology. Prior to coming to the ARL, Jackie spent two years volunteering and interning at the ASPCA in NYC. She brings to the ARL her experience in the humane sheltering field, conference strategy and management skills, and her love for animals.
APPLICATION, FEES & ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM
Class size is limited to 30 students to ensure the opportunity to provide personal attention. Acceptance will be based on the receipt of a completed application (attached here) and program fee. Applicants must be 18 years or older. Program fees are as follows:
- $150 prior to February 15th
- $200 after February 15th
- Application deadline is March 15th or until all spots are filled.
Receipt of your completed application and program fees will be acknowledged by email. Once program is full, applicants will be placed on a waiting list. Please make checks payable in US dollars to: Animal Rescue League of Boston. Please send application via email to summerinstitute@arlboston.org or to the Animal Rescue League of Boston, ATTN: Center for Shelter Dogs at 10 Chandler St., Boston, MA 02116.
FINANCIAL AID
In order to foster attendance by those who require financial assistance, 10 students will receive full scholarships. These will be based on organizational financial need, and will include program fees, room, and board.
Scholarship applications for those employees and volunteers of organizations in financial need are available here.
HOUSING, MEALS AND TRANSPORTATION
Students are responsible for their own travel, dinners, snacks, and housing costs. Breakfast and lunch will be included in the program fees. Discounted housing at $55 per night is available at a local college dormitory. Accommodations will also be available at local motels/inns at $100 per night.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you require any additional information not included on our website, please feel free to contact us at 617-226-5664 or at: summerinstitute@arlboston.org
ACCOMODATIONS
Dormitory – Emerson College
The Emerson College residence hall (called the Colonial Building) is located at 100 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116. The building will be about a 7-10 minute walk to the Animal Rescue League from the residence hall. Public transportation is also available from the Green line Park Street T-stop (1 minute walk from the residence hall) to the Arlington Street station (one stop). Upon exiting the station, it will be a 5-minute walk to the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
The cost per night is $55. Each participant in the program will be given a single room which is composed of a wardrobe, bed, and desk. The bathroom/sink and common/living room area will be shared with others in adjoining rooms. Each floor will be a mix of male and female participants but adjoining rooms will only be same sex combinations.
Please note: If you are interested in staying at the Emerson College Residences at 100 Boylston Street, please indicate this on the application. You will need to add your accommodation fees to your program fees when you submit the check to the Center for Shelter Dogs.
Hotel/motel – Hotel 140
Hotel 140, Boston's new boutique hotel, opened June 1, 2005. This hotel offers a central Boston location, 54 contemporary rooms with high-tech amenities, fitness & business centers and the Stuart Street Grill.
Hotel 140 is located at 140 Clarendon St., Boston, MA 02116. It is approximately a 5 minute walk from the Animal Rescue League of Boston. Guest rooms for the Summer Institute have been blocked at a rate of $99 per night for a single room.
Please reserve by May 16th, 2010 to lock in this discounted rate.
Reservations may be called in to call Matt Stambler at the hotel directly at 617-585-5440 anytime between now and May 16th. Attendees need to mention that they are with the Animal Rescue League of Boston at time of booking to receive the discounted rate. All reservations require a credit card guarantee. The cancellation policy is as follows: after noon, 3 days prior to arrival, the guest will be charged a one night fee for cancellation.
PARKING
Parking at Alewife T-station. Approximate parking rate is $8/day. The garage is located at the intersection of Alewife Brook Parkway and Cambridge Park Drive in Cambridge. Overnight parking is available for a maximum of 7 days. From the Alewife T-station, you will take the red line into Boston and transfer at Park Street Station to the Green line and exit at the Arlington Street station (two stops) or transfer at Downtown Crossing to the Orange line and exit at the Back Bay Station (three stops).
Economy Parking at Logan Airport. Approximate weekly rate (6-7 days) $108.00. Note: Please take the parking ticket with you and do not leave it in your car. Before returning to your car, you must stop at an Exit Express Parking Pay Station. Use the Exit Express fast lane when leaving the garage, and insert your validated parking ticket into the machine at the gate. Pay Station kiosks are located near the elevator lobbies of walkway level 4. At Terminal B, Pay Stations are on both the ground and 2nd floors. They are located near the elevators, at the intersection of the walkways that lead to and from the terminal and by the arrival lounge street level doors. Terminal E Lots 1 & 2 Parking Pay Stations are located on the ground floor, near the arrival lounge doorways.
Interpark Shoppers Garage. Approximate parking rate is $20/day. The lot is located at 40 Beach St between Washington St. & Harrison Ave (about a 5-10 minute walk to the Animal Rescue League of Boston). They can be reached at 617-426-7177.
Pilgrim Atelier Garage. Approximate parking rate is $24/day. The lot is located at 505 Tremont St @ East Berkeley. This lot is approximately a 5 minute walk from the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
WALKING DIRECTIONS FROM T-STATIONS TO the ARL of Boston
Arlington St. Station (Green line) Proceed down Arlington Street towards the Boston Park Plaza. Continue down Arlington Street and walk over the foot bridge crossing over the Mass Turnpike (cross over the bridge on the right side). The Animal Rescue League of Boston is immediately on your right after you cross the bridge.
Back Bay Station (Orange line) Proceed down Dartmouth St. towards Columbus Street. Make a quick left on Columbus Street and then a quick right onto Chandler Street. The Animal Rescue League of Boston is at the end of Chandler Street on the right.
FOOD STORES
Near 100 Boylston Street (Emerson Residence Hall):
Christy's Markets Inc.
107 Stuart St
(617) 720-2171
C Mart Supermarket
692 Washington Street
(617) 988-8118
Near the Animal Rescue League/Hotel 140:
Tedeschi Food Shops (convenience store)
357 Tremont St.
(617) 350-0046
Foodie's Urban Market (Supermarket)
1421 Washington St
(617) 266-9911
Restaurants
Near 100 Boylston Street (Emerson Residence Hall):
California Pizza Kitchen (American)
137 Stuart St
(617) 720-0999
Subway (sandwiches)
230 Tremont St # A
(617) 695-1222
Beijing On The Common (Chinese take out)
62 Boylston St
(617) 695-0909
Au Bon Pain (sandwiches and soups)
26 Park Plaza
(617) 338-8948
Near the Animal Rescue League of Boston/Hotel 140:
Picco (pizza, sandwiches, basic entrees)
513 Tremont St
(617) 927-0066
Clery's (Irish bistro & bar)
113 Dartmouth St (corner of Columbus)
(617) 262-9874
Delux Café (café, sandwiches, bar food)
100 Chandler St (between Clarendon St & Columbus Ave)
(617) 338-5258
Stuart Street Grill in Hotel 140 (café/food court)
140 Clarendon St.