Adopters and guests at Nashville Humane Association (NHA) who have sensory processing needs have additional accessibility and inclusion options while at the Nashville shelter. Visitors to NHA have the option to use noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, verbal cue cards, and other tools intended to assist people who may experience sensory overload during their time at the shelter. In addition to the available tools and equipment, NHA has received KultureCity’s Sensory Inclusive Certification. KultureCity, the nation’s leading nonprofit for sensory accessibility and acceptance, has only certified four animal shelters in the United States. As a Sensory Inclusive Certified facility, Nashville Humane staff have also received special training to assist members of the public with sensory processing needs.“Shelters can be overwhelming with sound and smells both for the animals and for humans. We just want to be inclusive to our entire community. And we want them to feel welcomed when they come to the shelter,” explained Nashville Humane Association Executive Director Laura Baker.In addition to Nashville Humane, KultureCity has helped hundreds of venues like stadiums and amusement parks implement similar measures for people with sensory processing needs. You can find all of those venues here.Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other similar conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to overstimulation and noise, which is an enormous part of the environment in a venue like an animal shelter. With this certification, NHA is better prepared to assist guests with sensory sensitivities in having the most comfortable and accommodating experience possible when visiting the shelter.

So, how do you utilize this certification? When you arrive at Nashville Humane, head to our front desk and let a staff member know you’d like to use KultureCity during your visit. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions during this time or feel free to call us at 615-352-1010 before your visit. After you are done visiting, drop off your items at the front desk and (hopefully) take your new furry friend home!

You can also download the free KultureCity App prior to visiting, (available on the App Store: http://bit.ly/KCiphone and Google Play:  http://bit.ly/KCandroid), where one can view what sensory features are available and where they can access them.