RSPCA Friends of West Hatch Newsletter Autumn-Winter 2018 | issue 15 | Page 4

Oh behave... Meet our new behaviour and welfare specialist We are very excited that staff member Leon Veale now has a full time role as our Behaviour and Welfare Specialist. Leon has worked at West Hatch for 18 years, and more recently has held the role of Supervisor. Leon’s training at Bristol University was funded by The Friends of West Hatch group, and after two years of study he gained the qualification Certificate of Higher Education in Companion Animal Welfare and Behaviour Rehabilitation. So what is the purpose of this new role? The RSPCA deals with dogs who have come from very difficult backgrounds, and each dog that comes through our door is never straightforward. Each dog needs a behavioural assessment on entry, behaviour and training plans devised and carried out throughout their stay, and many of the dogs also need ongoing support once in a new home.  4 Until now, Leon and the other staff have had to fit this in alongside all their other duties which has been hard to manage. Leon’s training and experience, and the fact he is now dedicated just to this role on a full time basis means that he can assess the dogs faster, can devise detailed training plans for all the dogs in our care, can advise adopters on behaviour issues, and can support the adopters and fosterers in their homes. He also assists the Inspectorate with behavioural assessments of dogs they are visiting and contributes to the development of behavioural support throughout the Society. Leon says “There are so many aspects of this role that I am excited about. What I am looking forward to most is having the time to see cases through from arrival to rehome and beyond.” If you have adopted a dog from us and would like behavioural advice, please email Leon at [email protected] and he will happily offer support.