If you are going to go to any SPCA throughout the province, there is one hour during the middle of the day where you won’t be able to see any dogs.
The non-profit is expanding a pilot project called Operation Hit Snooze – dogs have nap or rest time between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., every day.
It started at the Dartmouth shelter and spokesperson Sarah Lyon tells us that they are seeing a lot of benefits.
“We’re seeing a mix of sleeping but also them just being calm. When we look at the logs from the Dartmouth shelter, it’s really one of those things that stands out is the lack of barking. They know it’s time to rest. It’s not time to talk to our friend from down the hall.”
Creating the mood
To help settle the dogs the SPCA dims the lights and plays either classical or reggae music.
We asked about the choice of music.
“It is also a study that came out,” Lyon says. “What they found is that if the dogs listen to one type of music …so if it was just classical everyday…it might start to get too repetitive, too boring, so you mix it up.”
She says reggae is laid back and the dogs like it.
“We’re going to be implementing audio books. When you’re listening to them, they’re calm, depending on your story. And that’s what we’re trying to figure out. Is it a story about dogs? What kind of story is it? Is it calming?”
Donating
To help with the cost of Operation Hit Snooze, the SPCA is asking for donations.
If you contribute you will get your own playlist of the songs so you can snooze or rest alongside the pups.
The initiative rolls out throughout Nova Scotia, Tuesday.
