Trainer's Corner

The Connecticut Humane Society Rescue Mission
Growing by leaps and bounds.

By: Ryan Sheehan, Rescue Coordinator

We are very excited to announce the formation of the new Rescue and Behavior Department at the Connecticut Humane Society.  The purpose of this department will be to continue and improve the ability of our organization to find loving and compassionate homes for those animals which, for one reason or another, may not do well in a shelter environment.  We are very excited to announce the formation of the new Rescue and Behavior Department at the Connecticut Humane Society.  The purpose of this department will be to continue and improve the ability of our organization to find loving and compassionate homes for those animals which, for one reason or another, may not do well in a shelter environment. 

Heading the department will be Cyndi Berkowitz, new to the Connecticut Humane Society, but a long-time veteran of the animal rescue world from her experience running her own successful rescue organization.  Cyndi will continue and improve upon the Society’s efforts to enrich the lives of the animals in our care by utilizing the MOD Squad volunteers for dogs, and developing a new behavior enrichment program for the cats in our shelter as well.  The wealth of rescue organization knowledge that Cyndi brings to CHS will be immediately utilized as we reach out to groups across the entire country to ensure that every animal in need receives the help it deserves.  By providing travel resources, medical care, and financial assistance to shelters and rescues nationwide, we hope to expand the Connecticut Humane Society’s exemplary level of animal care beyond the borders of our state.

Working closely with Cyndi in our Newington Headquarters will be Joanne Lincoln and Ryan Sheehan. 

• Joanne has served for many years as the head trainer and behaviorist for CHS, and will continue to use her extensive animal knowledge to expand the training and behavior modification program.  With a focus on basic obedience, socialization, and adopter-education, Joanne will help to make all of our dogs even more attractive to potential adopters, ensuring they find forever homes that much faster.  Joanne has already begun to host daily “play groups” with groups of dogs matched by personality and activity level; and will continue to engage as many dogs as possible with this fun and stimulating opportunity. 

• Ryan has been a member of the In Care Team in Newington, and will continue to help the animals entrusted to the Society by filling the recently-created position of Rescue Coordinator.  Ryan will be charged with establishing and strengthening relationships with private rescues for those animals which may not be suitable for adoption to the general public.  Ryan has already forged relationships across New England to place Society animals, and has offered the services of the Connecticut Humane Society to all of the rescue organizations he has met thus far. 

• Sandra Burgos, of Westport; and Rachel McCabe, of Waterford, will continue to serve as dog trainers in their respective shelters, under the tutelage of Joanne Lincoln, and the leadership of Cyndi Berkowitz.
 

Please join us in congratulating the members of the Rescue and Behavior Department, and wishing them luck and success in all of their endeavors.


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