BLACKSBURG, Virginia. – The new partnership between Virginia Tech and the Roanoke Valley SPCA aims to improve animal adoption success rates while giving students the opportunity to gain hands-on learning experience.

The collaboration will be led by Megan Arant, an expert in animal behavior and welfare. Arant will spend her time at both Virginia Tech and the shelter. The partnership will bridge the gap between education and real-world scenarios where animals are helped at the shelter.

“I’m excited to help bridge the gap between classroom and hands-on learning. Students will learn important handling and behavior skills, and shelter animals will benefit tremendously from these interactions,” said Megan Arant, companion animal projects and research coordinator.

Arant will teach courses focusing on behavior improvement in shelter animals by working with the animals on positive behavior interventions.

“Animal shelters across the country are currently overcrowded, and our communities are not immune to the increasing demand,” said Denise Hayes, executive director of the Roanoke Valley SPCA.

“Too often, pets are surrendered or their adoption delayed because they have behavioral issues that can be addressed. If these issues are not addressed, it often leads to a longer stay in the shelter, which can worsen anxiety and resulting behaviors. We are thrilled to partner with Virginia Tech to break this cycle, improve the well-being of our pets locally, share insights with peers, and establish cutting-edge best practices to improve the well-being of shelter animals across the country,” Hayes said.

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