Animal Profile

Jolene is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Jolene has shown sensitivity to handling pressure and environmental stressors, with rapid escalation when over threshold. She has thrashed on leash when moved toward unfamiliar or uncomfortable areas, and during a recent incident began leash biting, mounting, and grabbing a handler’s clothing when mild leash pressure was applied in the snow. In lower-stress contexts Jolene can be social and will lean into petting, but she shows low tolerance for pressure and has difficulty recovering once aroused or frustrated. Medically, Jolene has CIRDC.

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Let's get to know each other a bit more...

This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. This pet is available only through ACC New Hope partners. To adopt or foster, please complete the pre-screener form below. Inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Jolene is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Jolene has shown sensitivity to handling pressure and environmental stressors, with rapid escalation when over threshold. She has thrashed on leash when moved toward unfamiliar or uncomfortable areas, and during a recent incident began leash biting, mounting, and grabbing a handler's clothing when mild leash pressure was applied in the snow. In lower-stress contexts Jolene can be social and will lean into petting, but she shows low tolerance for pressure and has difficulty recovering once aroused or frustrated. Medically, Jolene has CIRDC. Jolene arrived at the care center as a stray. Jolene has displayed a low threshold for arousal and has thrashed on leash when moved toward unfamiliar or uncomfortable areas, and during a recent incident began leash biting, mounting, and grabbing a handler's clothing when mild leash pressure was applied. As a result, we recommend Jolene is placed with one of our New Hope Partners.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 69 lbs

Medical Notes

12/12/2025

It is the policy of ACC not to perform surgery on any animal over the age of 8-10 years due to the higher risks incurred in a shelter setting. The veterinarian is hereby issuing a permanent spay/neuter waiver, from the spay/neuter requirements of the City of NY due to the estimated age of this animal. ACC does recommend you consult with your veterinarian to determine if surgical sterilization is appropriate.

12/12/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 8 years Microchip noted on Intake? Positive History: Stray, was brought in wearing a sweater and a head warmer. BAR MM pink, moist, CRT <2 sec Observed Behavior - Green; Easily examined, took treats readily, relaxed, seeking human attention and affection Evidence of Cruelty seen - No Evidence of Trauma seen – No Evidence of Neglect- No Objective: P = 110 hr R = 28 rr BCS 5-6/9 Wt = 69 lbs EENT: Mild bilateral lenticular sclerosis noted. Ears appear thickened and pigmented but are clean with no significant discharge. No nasal or ocular discharge noted. Oral Exam: Mild dental calculus and enamel discoloration noted. PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, no apparent murmur, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: FI (no spay scar or green spay tattoo observed) MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat. Dermatitis characterized by moderate erythema and raised skin is present on the ventral abdomen, inguinal, axillary, and ventral neck regions. The skin is not raw or abraded. CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: Apparently healthy, except for: -Dermatitis; suspect contact vs. allergic dermatitis -Mild dental disease -Lenticular sclerosis (age-related) -Senior aged Prognosis: Good Plan: Standard Intake Procedures for Dogs Performed Microchip not needed (already microchipped) *TREATMENTS AND PROCEDURES*: -Diphenhydramine (50 mg/mL): 2 mg/kg, 63 mg (1.3 mL) IM once for suspect acute allergic reaction. *MEDICATIONS DISPENSED*: -Douxo Pyo Mousse: Apply to affected skin on ventral abdomen, inguinal, axillary, and ventral neck areas BID for 7 days. SURGERY: Permanent waiver d/t age

12/16/2025

Discontinue BID topical application of duoxo mousse. CTM while at QACC and recheck as scheduled.

12/19/2025

Recheck skin S/O: BAR, soft body, allows handling, no c/s/v/d noted EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge, conjunctiva mildly hyperemic LUNGS: Eupnic MSI: Ambulatory x 4; readily shedding haircoat, thin haircoat ventrally with mild erythema and several areas of multifocal papules, mild lichenification at axillae and inguinum, no notable pruritis A: Dermatitis - ro atopy vs other Senior dog Nuclear sclerosis Dental disease P: Recommend several medicated baths with placement, follow up with veterinarian if skin issues not resolved with baths CTM while at QACC

12/23/2025

Progress exam: CIRDC signs noted on rounds Subjective: BAR, no S/V/D. Coughing with occasional hacking present Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -Move to iso, ppe sign & monitor log placed on kennel -Start doxycycline 10mg/kg PO q24h x10days -CTM, recheck in 3 days

12/30/2025

Progress exam: CIRDC day 7 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:1/2 ate most wet/dry food mix that was offered & ate medications Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck in 3 days

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 1. Green

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake, dog allowed staff to scan for MC, leash, walk back into kennel, and sat for treats. Finder reported that she attempted to mount her.

Date of intake:: 12/12/2025

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, no prior history

Date of assessment:: 12/13/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Hard Reactivity to humans: N/a Reactivity to dogs: N/a Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Moderately Social Call over: Approaches Readily Sociability comments: loose, explores, accepts petting, approaches staff loose Handling Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Accepts contact Handling comments: bit of lip licking, distracted, panting Arousal Jog: Follows neutral Arousal comments: Knock: Approaches neutral Knock Comments: Toy: Grips, remains loose while near toy Toy comments:

Summary:: Jolene was surrendered into care as a stray, so her past behavior with other dogs is unknown. 12/22/25: Jolene is introduced to a novel male at the gate while off leash. She displays a slightly tense frame as she greets before walking away. She sniffs along the yard and does not reapproach. 12/17: Due to the weather, only a gate greet is conducted. Jolene is introduced to a novel male dog. She intially approaches the gate with a soft body, exchanging sniffs with the other dog. She briefly grumbles but walks away from the gate. She circles back after a few seconds to greet the male again but begins growling and hard barks once at the male after he begins hard barking at her.

Summary (6):: 12/30/25: Jolene is standing in the back of her kennel and walks to the front, allowing the handler to leash her with ease. She is escorted to the play yard for enrichment, where a drag leash is placed on her. Jolene walks around the yard, exploring while maintaining a neutral frame, and relieves herself before continuing to explore around the yard again. When the session is complete, Jolene is returned to her kennel safely without any issues.

Summary (7):: 12/28/25: Jolene is standing in the middle of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and walks on a loose lead to the Canine Behavior Office where she is clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. Jolene is loose and social with multiple handlers throughout her time in the room and engages with scattered treats. Jolene accepts petting along her side with a loose frame and will place her front paws on handler's lap to solicit more contact. Jolene begins trying to mount handler, so they stand up and stiff arm her away. She attempts to mount twice more, and handler quickly tosses treats to distract her. She is switched back to a slip lead while she's eating treats and returns to kennel safely. 12/27/25: It is reported that Jolene mounted and grabbed at an ACS's clothes while out on a walk. The ACS staff member explained that Jolene stopped walking due to discomfort in the snow so the handler applied slight leash pressure to remove her from the snow. Jolene began to leash bite and then mounted the handler, biting on their clothes and pants. The handler did not apply further pressure due to not wanting to increase arousal, calling for help. Jolene is then brought inside by a second handler and secured safely. 12/19/25: Jolene is at the front of her kennel with a neutral body, is easily leashed and taken out of her kennel. Jolene walks to the sidewalk and begins to thrash intensely once being walked up on the hill. Jolene is walked the opposite way and does not thrash, explores the grass cand accepts petting along her head. When baby talked Jolene will walk over and lean into petting, but does not want to walk past the top of the hill. Jolene is walked back to the kennel with no issue. 12/13/25: Jolene is siting at the front of her kennel as handler approaches. She is able to be leashed with ease and she pulls hard on the way to the behavior room for her assessment. In the room, she would not interact with the handlers and would sniff around to explore. She has a tense body while being petted and would hard stare at the handler after they knocked on the closest door and re-entered the room. Please see behavior assessment notes for more details. She thrashes on lead on the way back to her kennel, and has to be muscled inside due to not wanting to go in for treats.

Date of intake:: 12/12/2025

Summary:: back into kennel, and sat for treats. Finder reported that she attempted to mount her.

Date of initial:: 12/12/2025

Summary:: Easily examined, took treats readily, relaxed, seeking human attention and affection

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Jolene so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Jolene's reported mounting and anxiety, we recommend she goes to an adult only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to Jolene's reported mounting and anxiety, we recommend she is placed with one of our New Hope Partners.

Potential challenges: : Fearful,Anxiety,Strength/leash pulling,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/Anxiety: Jolene appears anxious at the care center, whining and seeking exit during her assessment. She was also observed to mount the finder once during her intake. There is no known history of her behavior in a home environment, so it is unclear whether these behaviors will occur outside of the care center. If anxiety-related behaviors do appear in a future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and providing her with other appropriate outlets to help alleviate anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training only should be used. See handout on Generalized Anxiety. Strength/leash pulling: Jolene is a very large, strong dog with the capability to pull over an average adopter. Her adopter must be prepared and able to handle a dog of this size and strength. It is recommended that she be walked on a front-clip harness or head halter, which can help diminish her strength through leverage, and that she be trained using positive reinforcement, reward-based training to reduce pulling on leash." Low threshold for arousal: Jolene is noted to grab onto a staff members leg and start to mount after being refocused away from something that was making her uncomfortable, and started to mouth there clothing.