Ava is a 2-year-old heeler/cattle dog mix in Atlanta , GA, who needs $485 for behavior assessment and behavior medicine.

I adopted Ava in September 2020 from Pound Puppies and Kittens, a small no-kill rescue in Loganville Georgia. When I adopted Ava the rescue told me she was great with kids, people, cats, and dogs and that they had not detected any behavioral problems. Over the course of several months it became clear to me that Ava needed serious help through training and medical care.

Ava struggles with anxiety and is fearful of strangers. She has human-directed aggression because she does not know how to respond in any other way. I know she can live a happy life but not without professional help. She needs ongoing professional training (we have already started) and she needs to see a veterinary behaviorist to get on the correct medications so that she can make progress.

At times Ava can be very challenging to care for. I am okay to adapt my life to meet her needs but at this time it feels I am compromising on too many of my own needs. In order for her and me to be happy she needs to become more at ease which I know she can accomplish!

Ava needs a lot and it is getting to be way over my budget. I have been paying for professional training, a whole lot of medical care, a high quality raw diet, and lots of toys and chews to keep her occupied and happy. I am trying to make it all work but the added cost of seeing a vet behaviorist is a lot.

Ava is super smart, loving, and athletic. When she is around people she trusts she is very affectionate. She loves water! If she finds water she will submerse her whole body in it to cool off. If there isn't any water around she will roll around in wet grass instead. She is also an avid bug hunter. Her specialty is cockroaches! When she is happy, her whole body wags.