Joining Paws: Updates to the Ontario SPCA’s Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre

We have some exciting news to share!  The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre (PDRC) is now able to support dogs from other SPCAs and Humane Societies to help give them the extra TLC they need to find loving homes. 

The Ontario SPCA Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre opened in 2023 in Peterborough and was custom-built to help dogs who need more individualized care than a typical animal centre can provide to help them get adopted.  

Operated by the Ontario SPCA’s Animal Behaviour team, the centre has been supporting dogs from Ontario SPCA animal centres across the province. In January 2025, we began welcoming dogs from external organizations through an application process.  

“We’re so happy to be able to expand the behavioural support provided to dogs through the PDRC to dogs from other organizations,” says Tracy McElman, the Ontario SPCA’s Provincial Operations Manager. “We’re giving them the chance to gain foundational skills and confidence to thrive in their new homes and build lasting, positive relationships with their new families.” 

About the Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre 

Located inside the inside the Peterborough Animal Care Centre, the PDRC contains several unique features: 

• An underwater treadmill for enrichment and low-impact exercise 

• The Arlo Gattuso-Slaight Dog Living Room to help dogs practice appropriate behaviours in a home environment 

• Training rooms to help dogs overcome behavioural challenges and learn to socialize 

• Dedicated animal behavioural experts focused on each dog’s unique needs 

Dogs at the PDRC receive multiple out-of-kennel enrichments per day and are provided with ample activities that meet their needs, such as shredding, scavenging, sniffing, brain games, and more. Each dog also spends time in the living room, as well as participating in office enrichment and training sessions, which help to reduce fear, anxiety, stress, and frustration related behaviours that can occur in a typical shelter environment. 

“The dedicated team at the PDRC has had such a wonderful and profound impact on dogs within our organization,” says Kassie Dickson, Animal Behaviour Coordinator with the Ontario SPCA. “I’m very excited to see how many more friends the PDRC will help with this initiative.” 

Learn more about the Provincial Dog Rehabilitation at ontariospca.ca/dogrehab 

Any organization that would like more information on the PDRC programming, or how to submit a Behavioral Support Request, can contact the PDRC team at pdrc@ontariospca.ca 

As a registered charity that does not receive annual government funding, the Ontario SPCA depends on the generosity of donors to provide services, such as the Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre. Please consider donating today.