Animal Profile

Faith is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Faith in the care center is highly reactive to other dogs on leash, hard barking, lunging and very difficult to refocus, having two staff members having to handler her to safely navigate her around the care center. Faith has also redirected onto staff members entering the kennel rooms due to Faith kennel fighting. Medically, Faith is Underweight.

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 Faith is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Faith in the care center is highly reactive to other dogs on leash, hard barking, lunging and very difficult to refocus, having two staff members having to handler her to safely navigate her around the care center. Faith has also redirected onto staff members entering the kennel rooms due to Faith kennel fighting. Medically, Faith is Underweight. Meet Faith! Faith is a ~3-year-old medium mixed-breed (about 44 lbs) who arrived at ACC as an agency stray brought by NYPD's 67th Precinct. She was friendly at intake and allowed handling, but in the busy shelter environment she's shown increased stress and strong reactivity to other dogs. With slow, choice-based introductions and positive reinforcement, she's able to take treats and engage, but she needs a careful, experienced plan to succeed. Good with Kids? Recommended adult-only (no children under 13) due to leash reactivity and a prior redirect to a handler's leg (no skin broken). Good with Other Pets? Single-pet home is recommended. Faith has shown intense, on-leash reactivity toward other dogs. Dog parks are not recommended. Leash Manners Faith can walk with a loose leash in low-distraction areas, but when she sees other dogs she may lunge, hard bark, and escalate. She'll need counter-conditioning, distance-based setups, and slow, structured training to improve focus. Management (avoiding crowded routes, using high-value reinforcers, giving space) will be key.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 44 lbs

Medical Notes

9/11/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: approx 3-7 years based on dentition and conformation Microchip noted on Intake? scanned positive History: agency Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - solicits pets, takes treats, allowed for all handling and tasks Is there evidence of Cruelty? N Is there evidence of Neglect? N Is there evidence of Trauma? N Objective T = np P = wnl R = wnl BCS 3.5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: mild-moderate wear and staining to visible dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: FS, green linear tattoo MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment Underweight otherwise APH Prognosis: good Plan: intake exam and tasks awaiting sort SURGERY: Prior altered

9/12/2025

4DX test - positive for heartworm Plan: Submit blood for microfilaria and antigen test to confirm

9/14/2025

Microfilaria test results: POSITIVE (6-20/LPF) Heartworm Ag by ELISA: POSITIVE Confirmed HW dz P. Start doxy 10mg/kg PO BID x 30 days Give nexgard plus once today Retest in 4 weeks brief recheck in 2 weeks, then full recheck in 4 weeks CTM while at QACC seek placement

9/19/2025

Beh noted heightened reactivity, lunging and hard barking at dogs. Starting on traz ~ 8mg/kg PO BID (150mg)

9/19/2025

Diarrhea present in kennel Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V. Diarrhea noted F/S: 6 Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4 NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed Diarrhea PLAN: Per standing orders -Start psyllium husk 1 scoop PO q24h x5days, & panacur 50mg/kg PO q24h x5days -Placed monitor log on kennel -CTM, recheck on 9/25

9/25/2025

Progress exam: Subjective: Diarrhea recheck Objective: FS: 3/4 noted ASSESSMENT: Presumed Diarrhea appears resolved PLAN: Per standing orders -Keeping on Gi until 9/30 -CTM on daily rounds while in QACC

9/27/2025

Adjusting psychopharm due to high FAS, panting; pacing; dog reactive. *P is heartworm positive, will start with lower end of dose range for clonidine due to cardiovascular effects (0.015mg/kg). Rxn: clonidine 0.3mg PO q12h indefinitely *Monitor response to medication closely, can increase if needed for behavior and doing well medically.

9/28/2025

Progess Dog appears to be doing well on HW medication, no negative affects observed Plan: increase Clonidine for behavior

9/28/2025

see other notes from Sept 28

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 1. Green

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 9/11/2025

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray(Unknown History)

Energy level/descriptors:: 9/28/25: Faith is perched on her kuranda bed with her wight shifted forward as the handler approaches. She hops off and walks to the front of her kennel as the handler tosses an enrichment item into the kennel. She picks it up and takes it to the bed to enjoy as the handler walks away. 09/27/25: Faith was reported to redirect onto a staff member after immediately removing her, not breaking skin and immediately was put back into kennel.

Other Notes:: 9/17: During a walk, an ACS reported that while out on a walk, they saw a dog before Faith did and attempted to maneuver Faith away by turning around, but she still caught sight of the other dog. Faith whips around and redirects, catching the ACS on their leg. The skin was not broken, but did leave faint bruising.

Date of assessment:: 9/13/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Loose Reactivity to humans: N/a Reactivity to dogs: N/a Leash walking comments: Noted earlier in the day to be dog reactive Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Explores room- pacing, panting, seeking food Call over: Flinching with fast movement does allow petting with a slower approach Sociability comments: Jumps on handler, puts muzzle in helper treat pouch for food, takes treats roughly Handling Soft handling: Allowed- stays still, lip licks, slick back ears Exuberant handling:Allowed- stays still, lip licks, slick back ears Handling comments: Arousal Jog:1 pass panting, after jog jumps and leans on assessor Arousal comments: Knock: No response Knock Comments: Toy: 2nd pass grips drops walks away Toy comments:

Summary:: 09/17/25 Due to Faith's behavior when escorted to play group, she is unable to attend and participate. On her way to the pens, Faith hard barks and snarl while lunging in the direction of the other dogs.

Summary (7):: 09/26/25: Faith is standing at the front of kennel as handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and skitters down the hallway to the Canine Behavior Office. Faith pants, paces, trembles and whines intermittently throughout her time in the room. She will readily approach handlers and climb up onto them to solicit petting. She shows no interest in enrichment offered to her. After her session, Faith is returned to kennel safely. 09/17/25 (PG Note): Faith is standing at the front of her kennel and allows leashing with ease. She is then escorted to the play yard for a potential introduction to a playmate. Upon exiting the building, Faith spotted another dog and became reactive, lunging forward while growling and hard barking. Due to this display of dog-directed reactivity, Faith will not entered playgroup and will escorted back to her kennel without any issues. Faith would benefit from controlled, gradual desensitization sessions to other dogs at a distance before being reintroduced for future playgroup attempts. Structured exposure and positive reinforcement may help her build tolerance and reduce dog reactivity amd stress. 9/17 (PM): An ACS reported that when taking Faith out for an evening walk, she remained reactive to other dogs and did make attempts to whip around on the handler walking her, but once in the yard, she would check in with both ACS's but was mostly anxious. 9/17: An ACS reported that while out on a walk, they saw a dog before Faith did and attempted to maneuver Faith away by turning around, but she still caught sight of the other dog. Faith whips around and redirects, catching the ACS on their leg. The skin was not broken, but did leave faint bruising. 9/14/25: Faith is observed to lunge, hard bark and vocalize at other dogs when passing on leash, and in kennel is also observed to be barking at the corner of her kennel.

Date of intake:: 9/11/2025

Summary:: friendly, and allowed handling/petting.

Date of initial:: 9/11/2025

Summary:: solicits pets, takes treats, allowed for all handling and tasks

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Single-pet home,Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Faith's fearfulness, on-leash reactivity that resulted in her redirecting onto the person walking her, we recommend for Faith to be placed in an adult only home. Single-pet home/Recommend no dog parks: Due to Faith's behavior displayed while in care, we recommend that she be the only pet in the home as well as avoiding all dog parks. Place with a New Hope Partner: Due to the challenges displayed in care, we recommend placement with a New Hope Partner that can address her behavioral concerns under the guidance of a certified professional trainer that uses only positive reinforcement methods.

Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Fearful,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Basic Manners / Poor Impulse Control: Faith exhibits poor impulse control, particularly in social settings, as she frequently jumps up on handlers. This behavior suggests a need for consistent training in basic manners, including teaching her to greet people calmly and reinforcing four-on-the-floor behavior. Please see the handout on Basic Manners / Poor Impulse Control. Mouthiness / Poor Bite Inhibition:Faith tends to take treats roughly, indicating underdeveloped bite inhibition. Training should focus on gentle treat-taking using positive reinforcement and hand-feeding exercises to encourage softer mouth use.Please see the handout on Mouthiness / Poor Bite Inhibition. Fearful / Anxiety:Faith shows signs of anxiety and fearfulness, such as flinching at sudden movements, lip licking, slicked-back ears, and whale eyes. She is more receptive to petting when approached slowly, suggesting that gradual desensitization and confidence-building exercises would benefit her emotional well-being. Please see the handout on decompression period and generalized anxiety. On-Leash Reactivity / Barrier Frustration /Bite history (human):: Faith displays dog reactivity during walks, which may stem from frustration or overstimulation. Training should include counter-conditioning and desensitization to other dogs, along with structured leash work to improve her focus and reduce reactive behavior. She has escalated to redirecting to a handler, resulting some bruising to their leg. Please see the handout On-Leash Reactivity / Barrier Frustration.