Shelter Learniverse

Online Meeting - Mondays - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie - Maddie's Fund
2026-03-30 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-23 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-16 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-09 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-02 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-23 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-16 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-09 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 5 more dates | Virtual
Maddie’s Fund hosts a weekly 50-minute Zoom call for animal well-being professionals. These calls are a collaborative space to share exciting new programs and research, discuss uncomfortable topics, connect with peers in the industry, and more, all while sharing a common goal of preserving the human-animal bond.
Who Should Join?
Executive directors, animal well-being leaders, shelter workers, pet support professionals, volunteers, rescue organizations and anyone who shares the common goal of preserving the human-animal bond.
Win Ca$h for Attending!
Each month, Maddie’s Fund will be giving away up to $5,000 in grants. You can enter to win each time you attend a call or watch on-demand during the month by completing the giveaway drawing entry forms shared in the chat during the calls.
Register Today
Join us each Monday at 11am PT/2pm ET to receive support and learn about innovative ideas other organizations across the country are seeing success with. If you registered prior to July 2025 or are new to these meetings, please use this link to register:
https://maddies.fund/CommunityConversationsRegistration2025
All calls are recorded and uploaded to the Community Conversations page on Maddie’s Pet Forum https://forum.maddiesfund.org/communityconversations
Please note: All views expressed on these calls are not necessarily endorsed by Maddie’s Fund.
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConversationsRegistration2025

Online Event - 3/26/26 - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection: Considerations with Returns - Maddie's Fund
2026-03-26 12:00 - 13:00
Speaker: Stacy Price, CAWA, CFRE, MBA
About Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection:
Join us on the fourth Thursday of every month as we talk about dog and cat behavior – supporting pets in our community and animal shelters. Each month, we hear from speakers about topics of interest to our group, such as behavior medications, modifying animal behavior, assessing and improving animal welfare, and how organizations successfully provide behavior support to dogs and cats.
Who should join: Animal welfare staff and volunteers who are interested in dog and cat behavior, and everyone who works to keep pets out of shelters and in homes.
You only need to register once for all meetings: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration
Can’t attend live? Register anyway and you will get a link to the recording within a day or two after each meeting.
All recordings and resources shared during the webcast will also be available in the Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection group on Maddie’s Pet Forum – https://maddies.fund/monthlybehaviorconnectionMPF
Maddie’s Fund does not share registration information.
The opinions expressed by webinar presenters are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Maddie’s Fund.
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration

Online Event - Third Wednesdays - Shelter Med LIVE - UC Davis KSMP
2026-03-18 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-18 16:00 - 17:00
Shelter medicine bridges gaps in veterinary care access, ensuring animals are sterilized, vaccinated, and have the medical treatment they need before going home to the people and communities who care for them. Shelter Med LIVE is the place where vet professionals connect around what it takes to make shelter medicine happen every day—from intake triage to MacGyvering creative fixes. Every third Wednesday, join your UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program host Dr. Jenn Bennett and special guests for real talk and real solutions.
Ask questions (or send them in ahead of time). This isn’t a lecture—it’s a conversation for everyone who wants to nerd out on shelter medicine. Kick back and recharge with your colleagues in the middle of a long week.
This event has been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit by CAWA and NACA.
Can’t make it live? Register to receive the recording and resources after the event, accessible through the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program Shelter Learniverse, #ThanksToMaddie!
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.shelterlearniverse.com/events

Online Event - Monthly - Journey You Own Meditation Gathering - JYO
2026-03-11 17:00 - 17:45, 2026-02-11 17:00 - 17:45, 2026-01-14 17:00 - 17:45
Create a shared, supportive space to explore grounding practices.
The guided meditations happen every month and typically run 30-45 minutes. All are welcome to these very low-key sessions, with videos on or off, whatever feels most comfortable to you. No speaking is necessary unless you’d like to share at the end of the session.
Attendees register once and can attend any of the monthly meditation dates. Don’t forget to add the dates to your calendar to ensure you don’t miss out on any sessions.
About the Host
Jyothi Robertson is a student of meditation practice for 40+ years and trauma-sensitive grounding practices formally for the past three years. She was raised by parents who practice meditation and lead spiritual teachings for members of their Indian community. She began pursuing her own formal exploration of spirituality as an anthropology major at Princeton University and conducted fieldwork for her thesis while living at an ashram (spiritual center) in India in 1996. As a veterinarian, she is interested in highlighting the spiritual connection between all living beings.
Jyothi has completed certifications in trauma-sensitive mindfulness, advanced trauma-sensitive meditation, deep listening, DEI, and since 2019, has been receiving training in Buddhist meditation practices and philosophy. As a student learning meditation, she is interested in exploring these practices with others in community.
WEBSITE LINK: https://jyo.world/meditation-gathering/

Online Event - First Thursdays - Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection - Maddie's Fund
2026-03-05 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-05 12:00 - 13:00
About Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection:
Join us on the first Thursday of every month to discuss successful foster innovations and programs, collaborate with others in the field, answer questions and talk through complex foster-related issues.
Who should join: Foster managers, coordinators, volunteers and any staff who are interested in learning about what’s working in foster programs.
You only need to register once for all meetings: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyFosterRegistration
Can’t attend live? Register anyway and you will get a link to the recording within a day or two after each meeting.
All recordings and resources shared during the webcast will also be available in the Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection group on Maddie’s Pet Forum https://maddies.fund/monthlyfosterconnectionMPF
Maddie’s Fund does not share registration information.
The opinions expressed by webinar presenters are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Maddie’s Fund.
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyFosterRegistration

Online Event - 2/26/26 - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection: Sound in the Shelter - Maddie's Fund
2026-02-26 12:00 - 13:00
Speaker: Bailey Eagan, MSc, PhD
About Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection:
Join us on the fourth Thursday of every month as we talk about dog and cat behavior – supporting pets in our community and animal shelters. Each month, we hear from speakers about topics of interest to our group, such as behavior medications, modifying animal behavior, assessing and improving animal welfare, and how organizations successfully provide behavior support to dogs and cats.
Who should join: Animal welfare staff and volunteers who are interested in dog and cat behavior, and everyone who works to keep pets out of shelters and in homes.
You only need to register once for all meetings: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration
Can’t attend live? Register anyway and you will get a link to the recording within a day or two after each meeting.
All recordings and resources shared during the webcast will also be available in the Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection group on Maddie’s Pet Forum – https://maddies.fund/monthlybehaviorconnectionMPF
Maddie’s Fund does not share registration information.
The opinions expressed by webinar presenters are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Maddie’s Fund.
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration

Online Event - 1/22/26 - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection - Pain and Behavior: A case-based talk - Maddie's Fund
2026-01-22 12:00 - 13:00
Pain and discomfort are often under-diagnosed in dogs with behavioral issues. This presentation will highlight why this happens, and reviews cases where pain was the cause of the behavior issues or made behavioral issues worse. This is happening in young dogs and dogs who may not show any typical signs of pain/discomfort, but rather express it as aggression and/or anxiety.
Speaker: Emily Levine, DVM, DACVB, Animal Behavior Clinic of New Jersey
About Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection:
Join us on the fourth Thursday of every month as we talk about dog and cat behavior – supporting pets in our community and animal shelters. Each month, we hear from speakers about topics of interest to our group, such as behavior medications, modifying animal behavior, assessing and improving animal welfare, and how organizations successfully provide behavior support to dogs and cats.
Who should join: Animal welfare staff and volunteers who are interested in dog and cat behavior, and everyone who works to keep pets out of shelters and in homes.
You only need to register once for all meetings: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration
Can’t attend live? Register anyway and you will get a link to the recording within a day or two after each meeting.
All recordings and resources shared during the webcast will also be available in the Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection group on Maddie’s Pet Forum – https://maddies.fund/monthlybehaviorconnectionMPF
Maddie’s Fund does not share registration information.
The opinions expressed by webinar presenters are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Maddie’s Fund.
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration

Online Event - 1/21/26 - Shelter Med LIVE: Behavior Belongs in Shelter Medicine: The Shelter Vet's Role in Behavioral and Emotional Health - UC Davis KSMP
2026-01-21 16:00 - 17:00
Special Guests:
Cindi Delany, DVM, KPA-CTP
Emilia Gordon, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)
Sarah Mantovani, DVM, MS (Shelter Medicine)
About Shelter Med LIVE
Shelter medicine bridges gaps in veterinary care access, ensuring animals are sterilized, vaccinated, and have the medical treatment they need before going home to the people and communities who care for them. Shelter Med LIVE is the place where vet professionals connect around what it takes to make shelter medicine happen every day—from intake triage to MacGyvering creative fixes. Every third Wednesday, join your UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program host Dr. Jenn Bennett and special guests for real talk and real solutions.
Ask questions (or send them in ahead of time). This isn’t a lecture—it’s a conversation for everyone who wants to nerd out on shelter medicine. Kick back and recharge with your colleagues in the middle of a long week.
This event has been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit by CAWA and NACA.
Can’t make it live? Register to receive the recording and resources after the event, accessible through the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program Shelter Learniverse, #ThanksToMaddie!
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.shelterlearniverse.com/events

In-Person Workshop - 1/13/25 to 1/16/25 - Shelter Behavior & Enrichment Workshop - Shelter Playgroup Alliance (fee applies)
2026-01-13 00:00 - 2026-01-16 23:59
Don’t miss out on this hands-on workshop to build essential skills for safely working with dogs in the shelter over four days at Berkeley Animal Care Services. You will work in small groups along side experienced, certified coaches to build your skills in a supportive and constructive environment. Join us January 13-16, 2026, and you will earn a Certificate of Completion, as well as the confidence and skills to improve the lives of the animals in your care.
​This workshop is limited to 20 participants. Register to secure your spot now!
Who: Shelter Staff & Volunteers
What: Behavior & Enrichment Workshop
When: January 13-16, 2026
Where: Berkeley Animal Care Services, 1 Bolivar Dr, Berkeley, CA 94710
Cost: $800
​CEUs: 27 (CCPDT), 20 (IAABC)
No prerequisites are required to attend this workshop. This is a special offering open to all shelter staff and volunteers, regardless of the status of online course work.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.shelterdogplay.org/in-person-workshops

Webinar - 1/8/26 - Maddie's Insights - Consentful Contact: Pilot Study on Human–Dog Touch - Maddie's Fund
2026-01-08 12:00 - 13:00
Understanding and respecting an animal’s signals during interactions can significantly enhance their welfare and improve the human-animal interactions. In this presentation, Dr. Amir Sarrafchi will discuss his research on how dogs respond behaviourally when allowed to choose or refuse human contact. Drawing from his work on animal agency and consent, Dr. Sarrafchi will explore how these concepts can be practically applied in everyday animal care, shelter environments, and adoption programs.
The session will translate research findings into simple, effective strategies that caretakers, trainers, and shelter staff can use to promote consent-based handling and improve welfare outcomes.
Learning Objectives

Recognize behavioural indicators that reflect a dog’s comfort or discomfort during human interaction
Understand the importance of agency and consent in enhancing animal welfare and fostering a more humane relationship between humans and animals
Apply practical strategies for incorporating choice and consent into daily care, training, and shelter routines

Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards 1.0 CAWA CEs. This webinar has also been pre-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). It has also been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit until 10/14/2027 in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.
About the speaker
Dr. Amir Sarrafchi is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. His PhD research focused on animal behavior and the impact of providing animals with agency and consent on their welfare during human-animal interactions. He holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and a Master’s in Applied Ethology and Animal Biology.
During his PhD, Dr. Sarrafchi investigated how allowing animals, particularly horses and dogs, to exercise choice during interactions with humans influences their behavioral and physiological responses. His recent work explores how promoting agency can improve welfare outcomes in both companion and working animals. Dr. Sarrafchi is passionate about bridging the gap between science and practice to enhance the daily care, handling, and understanding of animals.
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister

Online Course – Starts 1/5/26 – Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program Winter 2026 Session – UC Davis KSMP Shelter Learniverse
2026-01-05 08:00 - 17:00
Are you ready to take your career in animal sheltering to the next level? Offered by the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program Shelter Learniverse as part of Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge, the Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program empowers frontline animal shelter workers to provide exceptional care, grounded in best practices, with a focus on improving outcomes for animals and communities.
Through engaging online courses, you’ll gain expertise in:

Best practices to reduce animal stress.
Foundational animal care and medical care to enhance your skills.
Behavior, training, and enrichment for healthier, happier animals.
Population management to optimize shelter resources.
Daily care best practices that streamline your workflow and maximize impact.

Whether you’re new to shelter work or a seasoned professional, this program equips you with the tools, knowledge, and recognition to make a greater difference.
Why Become Certified?

Advance your career with professional credentials.
Learn practical, actionable skills to improve daily operations.
Gain confidence in providing high-quality care for every animal.

Start learning today and become part of the growing movement to transform animal sheltering.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 12/5/25.
Certification is currently free, #ThanksToMaddie!
This program is most relevant for individuals working in public shelters or private shelters with municipal contracts. Enrollment is limited; applicants from these shelter types will be prioritized for this session.
Learn more about upcoming sessions and apply at https://tinyurl.com/SCS-General

Online Course – Starts 1/5/26 – The Thinking Animal: Cognition and its Role in Behavior – IAABC (fee applies)
2026-01-05 00:00 - 23:59
** IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ONLINE WEEKLY MEETINGS **
Meetings are not recorded
Meetings take place on Mondays at 2:00 pm Eastern (first meeting January 12th)
Meetings are 1 hour in duration
There are 4 meetings for this course
What’s going on in an animal’s head (even when they’ve decided it’s a great idea to stick their head in a wasp’s nest) is a complex, fascinating, and vital part of understanding their behavior!
This 4-week course will introduce some key questions in animal cognition, including:

How do animals understand time?
Do animals have good short- and long-term memories?
Can animals comprehend numbers, logic and other abstract concepts?
How can we use animal cognition to make more effective and enjoyable behavior interventions for animals and humans?

Your instructor, Dr. Kristina Spaulding, CAAB, will guide you and your fellow students through exercises and discussions designed to engage and excite you about this ever-growing field of research!
WEBSITE LINK: https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/the-thinking-dog-cognition-and-its-role-in-behavior/

Online Event - 12/19/25 - December Feline Chat and Chuckle with Marci Koski – Paths To Becoming a Feline Behavior Consultant - PPG
2025-12-19 12:00 - 13:00
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat with Marci Koski about paths to becoming a feline behavior consultant.
PPG members, you can log in via Zoom if you prefer. The link is in your event confirmation email.
This event will be live-streamed on Facebook from the main PPG Facebook page.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/webinars-events/webinars/december-feline-chat-and-chuckle-with-marci-koski/

Webinar - 12/16/25 - Doors Wide Open: Pawsitive Peer Support: Helping Each Other Without the Heavy Load - Open Door Veterinary Collective
2025-12-16 12:00 - 12:30
Join Open Door Veterinary Collective for a second series of lively conversations as we explore innovative and practical solutions that organizations are using to address barriers to accessing pet care and resources in their communities.
Animal welfare work is rewarding – and often emotionally intense! In this 30-minute webcast, we’ll explore how to support each other in ways that strengthen connection without adding emotional strain. You’ll learn practical tools for peer debriefs that allow space for processing difficult experiences without “trauma dumping”, including strategies to listen with care, respond with empathy, and keep both the speaker and the listener/supporter resilient!
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Explain the difference between healthy peer support and trauma dumping.
Use low-impact debrief techniques to process challenging situations with colleagues.
Apply active listening skills that reduce emotional overload for both parties.
Understand how to compassionately set boundaries around support provision.

Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards CAWA CEs as well as from the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA).
Speaker: Janet Hoy-Gerlach, PhD, LCSW, LISW-S, Director of Veterinary Social Work, Open Door Veterinary Collective
Come with your lunch and your questions! This will be an engaging, real-world conversation about advancing human and animal well-being together.
Who should attend? Everyone is welcome! This series is perfect for those interested or involved in access to veterinary care. Each session will be recorded and viewable on-demand within a few days after the event.
Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards CAWA CEs as well as from the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA).
REGISTER NOW: https://maddies.fund/DoorsWideOpenWebcastSeriesRegister
