• Socialization with other animals of the same species and age range to encourage the development of normal social behaviors and to help deter the development of abnormal social behaviors that unsocialized pets might otherwise develop;
• Socialization with unfamiliar humans and veterinary personnel;
• Familiarization of pups/kittens and their owners with various stimuli that might be met at the veterinary hospital and which might otherwise cause undue fear/stress/anxiety leading to an unpleasant experience for the pet and a conditioned fear response;
• Familiarization of the pet with stimuli at home that might later be very useful to owners for treatment/maintenance purposes;
• Utilization of the opportunity to educate owners on basic animal behavior and learning, behavioral modification, positive reinforcement and basic grooming and medical care. These classes are not intended to be organized training or obedience classes.

• All participants must have had a complete physical examination within 2 weeks of the first class. If that exam was done elsewhere, a certificate of health must be presented before the first class;
• Puppies must have received their first distemper virus, parvovirus and hepatitis vaccine (DHPP) at least 10 days prior to participation in the first class. In addition, the puppies must have had a negative fecal result and/or a broad spectrum dewormer within 10 days prior to the first class;
• Kittens must have had their first calicivirus, panleukopenia virus and feline viral rhinotracheitis virus (FVRCP) vaccines at least 10 days prior to participation in the first class. In addition, the kittens must have had a negative fecal result and/or a broad spectrum dewormer within 10 days prior to the first class and must have tested FeLV and FIV negative within one month prior to the first class;
• Any pet showing any type or sign of illness, such as diarrhea, vomiting, nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, skin lesions, fever/lethargy etc. within 10 days of a class, can not participate in that class;
• Any pet that has been exposed to other animals with a potentially infectious disease within 1 month can not participate, even if that pet is currently not showing clinical signs of illness.

 General Program Outline:  The following outline is a guideline for the socialization classes.  Educators may, at their discrection change, add, delete or modify the content to meet the needs of the owners and participants.  A detailed agenda will be provided on the night of each class outlining the instruction, activities and homework for that session.    

• Class 1 - Introduction Day
  • Introduction to the goals of the classes.
  • Activities:
    • Allowing pets to introduce themselves to each other and to people at their own will during the discussion of the goals and for an additional 10 minutes of activity time; during this time, people will interfere as little as possible, other than in avoidance of a negative or aggressive issue between pets.
    • Engaging pets in play using a variety of toys and encouraging unfamiliar kittens/puppies to play with each other.
    • Practice coming when called by the owner with positive reinforcement.
  • Education: Brief discussion on how animals learn (i.e. learning by association), behavioral modification and positive reinforcement.
• Class 2 - Unfamiliar human handling (owners present)
  •  Activities:
    • Allow pets to reintroduce themselves to each other and to the human participants at their own will.
    • Engage pets in play using toys from last visit and introducing new toys/objects.
    • Have each kitten/pup handled by at least two unfamiliar people: initially the unfamiliar person will casually pet the animal while it is on the floor/chair, next the owner will pick up the pet and allow the unfamiliar person to pet the animal while it is held by the owner, finally the owner will hand the pet off to the other person but remain close by, repeating this process with two unfamiliar people. 
  •  Education: Discussion on normal puppy/kitten behaviors- i.e. need to scratch/stretch nails in cats, climbing, hunting in cats and chewing, play biting etc. in dogs; discuss ways to enrich pet's environment to meet these normal needs; discuss basics about litter boxes and house breaking. 
• Class 3 - Introduction of new stimuli and owners absent handling
  • Activities:
    • Engage pets in play and encourage play with new partners they haven't met before.
    • Introduce pets to exam rooms/exam tables/scales/new sounds/new objects etc. while keeping atmosphere playful and give rewards (remember positive reinforcement); give treats while pets on exam tables and for pups, practice jumping onto/off of exam table and raising/lowering table while pup remains on it.
    • Have each kitten/pup handled by at least three unfamiliar people: initially the unfamiliar person will casually pet the animal while it is on the floor/chair, next the owner will pick up the pet and allow the unfamiliar person to pet the animal while it is held by the owner, finally the owner will hand the pet off to the other person initially remain close by and then leave the room, repeating this process with three unfamiliar people; also have owners begin handling paws, ears, tail etc.
  •  Education:   Abnormal/unwanted kitten/puppy behaviors- behavioral modification techniques (i.e. Overly zealous play biting, attention seeking behaviors, destroying toys). Allow owners to bring up topics they would like to discuss as far as unwanted behaviors. 
  •  Home Work: practice handling paws, ears, tail etc. as frequent at possible; introduction of new stimuli at home to help pets be less anxious about new objects, noises etc. (i.e. Vacuum cleaner, knocks on the door, bells, whistles etc.), stressing to owners that the idea is not to try and startle the pet but to make new things not so scary; always incorporate positive reinforcement.
• Class 4 - Introduction of gentle restraint and procedures
  •  Activities: 
    • Initial play session and handling as in prior sessions.
    • Have both owner and unfamiliar people practice very short periods of gentle restraint.
    • Demonstrate and have owners practice nail trims, ear cleanings and grooming.
  • Education: Introduce various TVH programs (i.e. Active Cat/Kissable Pet/Safety Pet) and discuss the recommendations made at owners requests.
  • Home Work: Practice short periods of restraint and go through motions of nail trims, ear cleanings and grooming with positive reinforcement.
•  Class 5 - Continue with procedures
  •  Activities:
    • Initial play session and handling as in prior sessions.
    • Practice short periods of restraint.
    • Demonstrate and have owners practice teeth brushing and administration of tasty pill/liquids.
  •  Education: Discuss importance of dental care throughout life. Discuss importance of spaying and neutering.
  •  Home Work: Use free dental kits to start practicing daily brushing.
•  Class 6 - Final Review and Discussions at owners' request
  • Activities: 
    • Review and practice any exercises from previous visits that owners feel their pet needs more help in.
  • Education: Review any of the previous education topics and allow owners to bring up specific problems behaviorally they would like to address.