Atropine is given pre- op because as an anti cholinergic drug, it reduces nasal (and gastric) secretions. The drug prevents the patient from aspirating nasal secretions while under anesthesia.
My dog just recently got this shot because he was drooling a lot. Vet said he might have ate something he wasn't suppose to and that messed with his taste buds therefore messing up his saliva glands.