Online Learning Courses from the ASPCA Learning Lab
This collection of free eLearning courses empowers you, your colleagues, and volunteers to better support the behavioral well-being of animals in your shelter.
It can be hard to make time for professional development and training when you have cats, dogs, and people to serve. We made this series with that in mind. You can do each course at your own pace.
Before enrolling in these courses, you'll need to create an account in ASPCA Learn, our training platform.
Each course is eligible for CCPDT CEUs.
How to Communicate Shelter Animal Behavior Clearly
How many people observe an animal in your shelter each day? In this 20-minute course, you’ll learn how to share and collect information to inform behavioral care.
- Use objective language and the right kind of details to describe behavior clearly
- Improve your behavior observation logs and collect valuable information
How to Encourage Good Behavior in Shelter Dogs
Did you know that animals are always learning? In this 20-minute course, you’ll learn how to set animals up for success through everyday interactions.
- Encourage animals to display desirable behaviors during your regular work
- Identify "Real Life Rewards" at your shelter
- Use signs and downloads to enable others to encourage good behavior in dogs
The Learning Lab's mission is to elevate behavioral healthcare for dogs and cats in animal shelters. We deliver free interactive resources and training that empower everyone to support animal behavior.
How to Interact with Dogs to Minimize Stress
Did you know you can change how a dog reacts to you just by changing the angle of your body? In this 20-minute course, you’ll learn how to notice and reduce stress in dogs through everyday interactions.
- Identify signs of stress in dogs
- Move around dogs in ways that reduce stress
- Use signs and downloads to encourage others to move mindfully around dogs
Reduce Stress for Cats in Shelters through Sensory Experiences
Do you know how to cater to each of a cat’s senses? This 20-minute course features proven ways to support the behavioral health of felines.
- Consider the unique vision, hearing, touch, taste, and olfactory abilities of cats
- Use enrichment and handling strategies that reduce stress and aggression
- Interact with cats in ways that meet their sensory needs and support their behavioral health
7 Ways to Reduce Stress When Handling Dogs and Cats
Would you like to expand your toolbox for supporting an animal’s behavior when moving them? This 20-minute collection of tips will give you contactless ways to position animals.
- Move dogs and cats for medical procedures, cleaning, or other necessary tasks
- Position animals while keeping everyone safe and comfortable
- Use low-cost or free tools for moving and positioning animals
We have lots more on this subject:
