Shelter Learniverse

Zoom Meeting - 3/30/23 to 5/18/23 - Summit Fast Track - Coordinated Care: Ensuring Animals & People Get the Right Care in Right Place - Maddie's Million Pet Challenge
2023-05-18 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Fast Track #1 – Coordinated Care: The Secret Sauce to Ensuring Animals and People Get the Right Care in the Right Place
Learn progressive and collaborative ways of respecting all of the members of your community, especially those who come to us for supportive services. We’ll focus on ways to help pets stay in their current homes when possible and effectively reserve shelter intake for animals who really need to be in our care. We’ll discuss not only how these techniques can reduce shelter intakes, but also how this approach will set everyone up for success, including families, animals, and shelter team members.
Track Coaches:
Lead Coach: Jennifer Toussaint, Chief Animal Control Officer at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington
Co-Coach: Kelly Bremken, Veterinary Social Worker at Oregon Humane Society
Fast Track Schedule:
Thursdays (and on-demand after)

March 30th, 11 AM PT​
April 20th, 11 AM PT​
May 4th, 11 AM PT
May 18th, 11 AM PT

Optional Office Hours:
Wednesdays (and some on-demand after)​

April 12th, 9 AM PT​
April 26th, 9 AM PT​
May 10th, 9 AM PT​
May 24th, 9 AM PT

Register for the Fast Track Zoom Meetings: https://sheltermedicine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvduurrT4iE9UKlsg4WkBeNNfaDMRAcWmz
About Fast Tracks from Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge Learniverse:
Ready to make change happen? Choose one or more of the five eight-week Fast Tracks and start doing—with support! Sprint from idea to implementation and ongoing improvement by connecting with coaches and fellow participants along the way.
Join a Fast Track to get guidance from your coach in four one-hour live Zoom meetings over the weeks of 3/27, 4/17, 5/1, and 5/15, and pop in for optional office hours during off-weeks.
Fast Track participation is open to everyone, no application required. Just click on the name of the Fast Track you are interested in below and you’ll get access to all of the meetings in that track.
Attendance at any of the meetings or office hours is optional to make it easy for you to attend what you can. Live meetings will be recorded and available on-demand shortly after each meeting ends.
WEBSITE LINK: https://sheltermedicine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvduurrT4iE9UKlsg4WkBeNNfaDMRAcWmz

Webinar - 5/18/23 - Neurological Versus Behavioural with Dr. Karen Overall - ACVB
2023-05-18 16:00 - 17:00
When is it neurological and when is it behavioural? Behavioural and neurological problems occur in the same brain. If both truly exist, the chance that they will affect each other is likely non-zero. If only one exists, it still shares so many of the same neurochemicals and neuroanatomical regions that are affected in both behavioural and neurological conditions. The keys to successful diagnosis and treatment are: understanding the ontogenic and demographic patterns in the relevant conditions, a good history, an excellent characterization of the pattern of the behaviours displayed, and trials of medication. This talk will use cases to discuss this approach and the pitfalls of assuming that you know something you may not when you label the condition.
Dr. Karen L. Overall has BA, MA and VMD degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and a PhD degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She did her residency training in veterinary behavioural medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviourists (DACVB). Dr. Overall is a Professor of Behavioural Medicine at Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI, lectures at veterinary schools world-wide and consults internationally with governments, NGOs and working dog and welfare organizations.
Dr. Overall has been named the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC) Small Animal Speaker of the Year and was named one of the The Bark’s 100 Best and Brightest – Bark Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the dog world over the past 25 years.
WEBSITE LINK: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1150555786157691481

Webinar - 5/18/23 - Control Without Conflict: An Introduction to Impulse Control - FDSA (fee applies)
2023-05-18 18:00 - 19:00
The concept of self-control as applied to dogs is an interesting one indeed. How can an animal that is only out to get what he wants NOW capable of making decisions to delay his impulses until given permission by the owner? That seems like some magic stuff right there! Heck, most people don’t even have good self-control. That’s why we cannot have potato chips in my house!
However, by applying the zen concept that “to get what you want you must give it up” all sorts of amazing feats of impulse control are possible for our dogs. We can teach them that it is in their best interest to delay gratification and wait for us to tell them when it’s okay to take what they want. The key is to do this in a systematic manner and to keep frustration as low as possible during the training process.
You might think “my dog would NEVER leave an unattended treat alone!” With the right approach it is definitely possible. There are quite a few advantages to teaching this zen concept as a foundation for future work. Your dog will learn that you are an important part of the reinforcement process; which makes listening to you a higher priority for him. A dog that understands zen allows you to use loose food in training as a focal point and distraction, which can make for smoother techniques and mechanics. And a zen dog is a thinking dog rather than a reacting one. He takes a second to consider his alternatives and make good choices.
In this webinar Deb Jones, PhD, will introduce the zen concept along with a variety of exercises to introduce that will encourage your dog to become more thoughtful and less reactive around food and toys.
Presenter: Deb Jones, PhD
Note: This webinar is back by popular demand. Please check your webinar library before purchasing.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/self-study/webinars

Hybrid Conference - 5/20/23 to 5/21/23 - Canine Science Symposium - Virginia Tech (fee applies)
2023-05-20 08:30 - 17:55, 2023-05-21 08:30 - 18:10
Repeatedly ranked one of the Top 10 Animal Behavior and Dog Training Conferences of the Year, the 9th annual Canine Science Symposium is an information-packed two days of applied science that you do not want to miss! Created especially for animal sheltering and behavior and training professionals, the mission of the Symposium is to provide practitioners with information and interventions that will help them improve the welfare of dogs in their shelters and the behavior and training of dogs.
For shelter-specific topics this year, we have talks on excessive arousal, behavioral phenotypes, fostering during the pandemic (with present-day takeaways), various types of short-term fostering programs, and One Welfare. For behavior and training talks, we have a sure-to-be engaging presentation on the effects of aversive control (in light of the potential electronic collar ban in SF) as well as applied behavior analysis in training & enrichment, social interaction as a reinforcer, communication & consent in training, and the role of mood and motivation in canine learning.
Envisioned as a way to connect attendees with the science from the scientists as well as to bring together those working in sheltering & training, the Canine Science Symposium has in-person and, new this year, Zoom live streaming options. The in-person conference will take place at the San Francisco State University Towers Conference Center.
Because of our focus on animal sheltering, we strive to keep registration affordable. Our early bird registration ends April 30, 2023.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.caninesciencesymposium.com/

Webinar Series - 5/6/23, 5/20/23, and 6/3/23 - The Art of Raising a Happy, Healthy Kitten - National Kitten Coalition
2023-05-20 09:00 - 10:30, 2023-06-03 09:00 - 10:30
The National Kitten Coalition and the EveryCat Health Foundation are hosting a three-part Webinar Series. If you are planning to or have recently added a new kitten to your family, or are looking for information to share with new kitten families in your community, this series will provide crucial information for raising a kitten into a happy, healthy cat.
Part One: Getting Ready for Your New Family Member May 6th, 2023, 12:00 – 1:30 pm EDT.
This session will cover:
-Selecting The Right Kitten (evaluating your needs and expectations, where to go, what questions to ask)
-Preparing Your Home (kitten proofing, necessary supplies, litterbox logistics)
-Where To Go For Help (finding the support you need)
Part Two: Raising a Happy Kitten May 20th, 2023, 12:00 – 1:30 pm EDT.
This session will cover:
-Socialization (kitten kindergarten, introduction to new experiences)
-Understanding Behavior (environmental enrichment, appropriate play)
-Fear Free Handling (training techniques)
Part Three: Raising a Healthy Kitten June 3rd, 2023, 12:00-1:30 pm EDT.
This session will cover:
-Routine Vet Care: (finding a cat-friendly practice, vaccines, spay/neuter)
-Normal Development: (growth and nutrition)
-Common Health Issues: (what to watch for to help decide when to go to the vet)
This series is free to attend, thanks to our generous sponsors! Register once for access to all three events! You will utilize the same link to attend all three sessions.
WEBSITE LINK: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3294773884135102303

Webinar - 5/20/23 - Targeted TNR & Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck - Community Cats Podcast
2023-05-20 11:00 - 13:00
The more cats you fix, the more impact your TNR program will have, right? Wrong! Spay/neuter volume alone is rarely enough by itself to keep consistently reducing a community’s free-roaming cat population over time. Another aspect to the program needs to be identifying areas of high need (meaning, lots of cats) and then focusing TNR resources at that location in order to achieve high sterilization rates. Discover what targeting is, why it’s so important, and how you can do it no matter how large or small your program currently is.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/targeted-tnr-getting-the-most-bang-for-your-buck-presented-by-neighborhood-cats-may-2023/

Webinar - 5/21/23 - Wait: No Syringes, Needles, or Insulin? Meet the Newest Option in Therapy for Diabetic Cats - VETGirl
2023-05-21 17:00 - 18:00
U-100, U-40, U-don’t need insulin?
In this complimentary, 1-hour, VETgirl–Elanco webinar, Dr. Natalie Marks, CVJ reviews the clinical presentation and diagnostics encountered with a new feline diabetic. What are the treatment options, and specifically, how do I use the new SGLT2 inhibitor Bexacat™ (bexagliflozin tablets)? Tune in to learn about the mechanism of action, dosing, possible adverse events (and how it differs from insulin therapy), case selection, monitoring guidelines, and frequently asked questions.
Thanks to sponsorship from Elanco, this webinar is FREE to all! (Remember: you must be logged in as a free Basic, ELITE Trial or ELITE member to register for the live event)
WEBSITE LINK: https://vetgirlontherun.com/webinars/may-21-2023-wait-no-syringes-needles-or-insulin-meet-the-newest-option-in-therapy-for-diabetic-cats/

Online Meeting - Mondays - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie - Maddie's Fund
2023-05-22 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-06-05 11:00 - 12:00
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 $10,000 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.
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://forum.maddiesfund.org/communityconversations

Webinar - 5/23/23 - How and Why to Make Your Cue Dominant - PPG (fee applies)
2023-05-23 06:00 - 07:00
Is your cue dominant or sub-dominant? In this not-to-be-missed presentation, the presenter, Louise Stapleton-Frappell is going to help you understand why you want your cue to be dominant and not irrelevant! By the end of the presentation, you will not only understand how to communicate more clearly with your learner to facilitate speedy learning, but you will also have a greater knowledge of how to promote effortless ‘generalization’ of the skills taught. Lots of video demonstrations are included to help cement your learning.
Although the presentation is aimed at pet professionals, pet dog guardians will also find the information invaluable.
Registered for the live event, get busy and cannot make it! No worries you will automatically receive a recording!
Presenter: Louise Stapleton-Frappell
CEUs: PPAB 1, CCPDT 1, KPA 1, PMCT 1, & IAABC pending
Learning Objectives:

Learn how to become an expert at providing clarity during the teaching process
Understand the importance of cue consistency – This includes the chosen bridging stimulus, and the delivery of the reinforcer!
Learn how the pitch of the cue is relevant
Delve into the world of desirable variables and non-variables
Become a master at facilitating the speedy acquisition of the discriminative stimulus
Understand why dogs may be better at generalizing than humans think!
Learn how to test comprehension – Does your learner really understand what you think you have taught?

WEBSITE LINK: https://petprofessionalguild.com/event-5181919

Webinar - 5/23/23 - Pets and People: Safe, Together, Connected with BestyBnB - BestyBnB
2023-05-23 12:00 - 13:00
Up to 50% of survivors will delay leaving a dangerous situation because they fear what will happen to their pets. Yet only 10% of Domestic Violence Shelters have the means to house companion animals. This creates a barrier between survivors and safety. While most domestic violence agencies understand the need for pet placement, many are faced with barriers that prevent them from offering this service or are not sure where to start. BestyBnB allows an Agency with no prior pet experience (or pet program in place) the ability to easily locate and manage temporary housing for survivors’ pets until they can be reunited. The same platform can also be used for agencies that have a pet program in place but are looking for ways to expand their services.
In this session, you will learn:

The connection between animal abuse and domestic violence.
The important bond survivors of domestic violence share with their pets.
How pets positively impact trauma survivors’ healing process.
Steps towards offering pet programming and temporary pet care through BestyBnB.

Who should attend?

Domestic violence program managers and staff
Victim advocates
Social service providers working with survivors
Animal welfare managers and staff
Mental health program managers and staff

WEBSITE LINK: https://www.mybestybnb.com/trainings/pets-and-people

Webinar - 5/24/23 - Create a Culture of Fundraising within Your Board - Network for Good
2023-05-24 10:00 - 11:00
So you want to create a culture of fundraising… Now what?
Nonprofit consultant Jayme Dingler has joined us many times to show you how to take the fear out of fundraising and even make it fun and personalized for each individual on your Board of Directors. But now that you have decided to create a culture of fundraising, how do you get started?
In this session, Jayme will walk you through the basics of writing a Board Fundraising Policy, Board Roles and Responsibilities, your first Marketing and Development Plan, and more. She’ll also show you how you can approach your Board Members to help them make (and keep) their development commitments.
Speaker: Jayme Dingler, What’s Good LLC
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.networkforgood.com/resource/bep-culture-of-board-fundraising/

Webinar - 5/24/23 - How to Rock Media Interviews About Dogs and Cats - PPG (fee applies)
2023-05-24 11:00 - 12:00
Do journalists sometimes ask you to comment on topics related to dog and cat training and behaviour—or do you wish they would? Sharing good information about dogs and cats is an essential part of helping pet guardians learn how to care for their pet using up-to-date, reward-based methods. Knowing how to communicate with the media can help you get that information across and show off your professional expertise to a wider audience.
This session will provide an overview of what you can do to make sure you rock your media interviews—and get more of them. We’ll cover the essentials of how to prepare for an interview, how to identify the message you want to get across, and what to do in the event that things don’t go to plan. Whether you have already done some media interviews and want to improve your skills or have never spoken to a journalist but want to learn more about what to expect, this session is for you.
Learning Objectives

Develop an understanding of why pet professionals should talk to journalists and how to make it happen
How to determine (and stick to) the main message(s) you would like to focus on
Understand the requirements of different types of media (print, podcast, radio, TV)
Identify the best ways to practice in advance and continue to develop your media skills

Presenter: Dr. Zazie Todd
Zazie Todd, PhD, is the award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. Her third book, Shiver, is provisionally scheduled for publication in 2024. Todd is the creator of the popular blog, Companion Animal Psychology, and also has a column at Psychology Today. Todd lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, one dog, and two cats.
WEBSITE LINK: https://petprofessionalguild.com/event-5254082

Online Course – Starts 5/25/23 – Professional Dog Training: Science & Application – IAABC (fee applies)
2023-05-25
Training is simple, but it’s not easy! There’s canine learning to understand, practical skills and timing to master, and of course, the human part of the equation to consider. Professional Dog Training: Science & Application is a comprehensive 20-week program designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed as a dog trainer.
Program Highlights:

Each module features lectures and materials packed full of information and designed by a practicing dog training and behavior professional.
You won’t just be watching videos – throughout the program you will engage in weekly online meetings, projects, assignments, and topic-based discussions.
We learn better together! The program is designed using a community learning model; your active participation contributes to everyone’s educational experience and the success of the program.
Assessment of your work is iterative; you are always given an opportunity to improve!

Instructor: Michelle Mullins CDBC, KPA CTP, CPDT-KSA
Presenters include:
Lauren Novack; Renee Hall; Kathrine Christ; Tabitha Kucera; Michelle Mullins; Erin Jones; Dante Camacho; Allie Bender; Emily Strong; Alicia Harantschuk; Jackie Laubacher
Module topics include:
Principles of Learning Science; Practical Learning Applications; Body Language & Communication; Training & Management Tools; Puppy Fundamentals; Enhancing Animal Welfare & Management Through Enrichment; Husbandry & Cooperative Care Strategies; Client Communication; Client Instruction; Teaching Group Classes; Practical Ethics for Dog Trainers
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WEEKLY ONLINE MEETINGS**

Meetings are a safe space to ask questions, share your experiences, and learn from peers. They are not recorded.
Meetings take place on Thursdays at 1:00pm Eastern. The first meeting is June 1st.
Meetings are 60 minutes in duration
There are 20 meetings for this program

WEBSITE LINK: https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/professional-dog-training-science-application/

Webinar - 5/25/23 - Community Engagement and De-escalation for Animal Service Professionals - NACA/Justice Clearinghouse
2023-05-25 10:00 - 11:15
Animal service professionals are often the first to arrive at emergencies and have regular contact with the public. De-escalation is not a new concept in policing, but the movement towards proactive community engagement has revealed important lessons for enhancing interactions with our constituencies. Practicing de-escalation is not only a powerful tactical tool but importantly, it is an investment in the communities we serve.
Topics to be covered:

Shifting from a “warrior” to a “guardian” mindset
Mindfulness around verbal and non-verbal cues
Tips for incorporating cultural competency into our daily interactions.

Presenter:
Chief Trevor Whipple is a law enforcement trainer with the Humane Society of the United States. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and served as a sworn law enforcement officer from 1980 until his retirement in 2018. During this time, he worked as a child sex crimes investigator, and member of a task force investigating crimes against women. Trevor led both the Barre City and South Burlington, Vermont police departments as their police chief. Upon his retirement from policing, Trevor became the Law Enforcement Consultant for the Vermont League of Cities and Towns where he serves as resource to law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Trevor has been a member of the adjunct faculty at the Community College of Vermont, where he has instructed criminal justice courses for the past 16 years. He was the lead Juvenile Law instructor at the Vermont Police Academy from 1984 until 2018. He continues to train law enforcement across the country on animal cruelty and fighting investigations.
WEBSITE LINK:

Webinar - 5/25/23 - Walking with Reactive Dogs! - FDSA (fee applies)
2023-05-25 18:00 - 19:00
Do you have a dog who barks and lunges on walks, overreacting to the other dogs and people in the world? Maybe he’s enthusiastic and frustrated and wants to greet, or maybe she’s feeling pressured and defensive and wants everyone to go away! It can be hard to walk a dog that is triggered into a reaction by so many things in the world. In this webinar, you’ll learn the skills that will get you through the rough spots without the blow up, and master the fine art of the magnet walk and while you develop strategy that can help get you back out and about! Let’s get your dog walking with you again!
Presenter: Amy Cook, PhD
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/self-study/webinars

Webinar Training - 5/30/23 - Navigating Compassion Fatigue in Animal Welfare: How to Combat Burnout and Enhance Resiliency - HASS
2023-05-30 15:00 - 16:00
Human and animal welfare is incredibly rewarding, and also incredibly challenging. Compassion fatigue is a common experience for animal welfare workers, but not one that we have to navigate alone. Hilary Hager, Vice President of Outreach, Engagement, and Training for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), will join us to give a live training, typically given as part of HSUS’s Law Enforcement Training Center, on how to better combat compassion fatigue and burnout.
This webinar training will cover the causes and symptoms of compassion fatigue, and provide actionable advice to shift organizational culture, improve communication around compassion fatigue, and ultimately enhance resiliency in your organization. Attendees will come away with knowledge and skills to support themselves and their organizations in reducing compassion fatigue through open communication and intentional culture shifts.
WEBSITE LINK: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/6016782060176/WN_ysl9Rz59Sh-TsuqjC90kiQ#/

Webinar - 5/30/23 - DAPPv x L4: An Alphabet Soup Review - VETGirl
2023-05-30 18:00 - 19:00
Vaccine decoder HELP!
In this complimentary, 1-hour VETgirl–Merck Animal Health webinar, Dr. Sara Gonzalez, MS, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) reviews the antigenic components of DAPPv x L4 vaccination and dives deeper to decode the “alphabet soup.” Tune in for a review of these diseases and the updated recommendations from the 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines.
Thanks to sponsorship from Merck Animal Health, this webinar is FREE to all! (Remember: you must be logged in as a free Basic, ELITE Trial or ELITE member to register for the live event)
WEBSITE LINK: https://vetgirlontherun.com/webinars/may-30-2023-dappv-x-l4-an-alphabet-soup-review/

Webinar - 5/31/23 - Cardiovascular Emergencies: The Beat Goes On - VETGirl (fee applies)
2023-05-31 17:30 - 18:30
Blue doesn’t look good on you!
In this 1-hour, VETgirl veterinary technician webinar, Tiffany Gendron, CVT, VTS(ECC) will review the veterinary technician’s role in assessing and providing treatment for the cardiac patient. What are commonly encountered cardiovascular emergencies, and how do you recognize them? Tune in to learn the importance of your role in management and treatment, as well as monitoring considerations you need to know!
Not a VETgirl ELITE member? Get your learning on with the #1 veterinary CE resource – clinically relevant, practical, and accessible 24/7 on your own time! Don’t miss out – click HERE to check out your options, including our new 14-day, no-commitment ELITE Trial.
WEBSITE LINK: https://vetgirlontherun.com/webinars/may-31-2023-cardiovascular-emergencies-the-beat-goes-on/

Online Course – Starts 6/1/23 – Creating Desirable Behavior Around Distractions – IAABC (fee applies)
2023-06-01
Michele Pouliot demonstrates and explains how to train reliable behaviors around surprises, temptations, and all those daily events that present challenges for dogs. Trainers working with companion and sports dogs, as well as guide dogs, will benefit from this!
This course will help you:

Identify what environmental cues trigger undesirable behaviors in each individual dog
Create an effective training plan, teaching the dog to choose desirable behavior without human prompting in mild, and even highly distracting situations
Successfully manage challenging situations for both dog and handler

Full Students have instructor support in the class Forum to ask any questions you have during the course.
Auditors have access to course material only.
Course Begins: June 1, 2023
Duration: 4 weeks
Instructor: Michele Pouliot
WEBSITE LINK: https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/creating-desirable-behavior-around-distractions/

Webinar - 6/1/23 - Doggo or Dragon? - Using the power of fantasy role playing games to conquer real-life dog training struggles - PPG (fee applies)
2023-06-01 09:30 - 10:30
Boss battles, character stats and magic points!? In this webinar, you’ll discover how the mindset of fantasy and adventure games can help you navigate the epic journey that is real life with a dog as your player two.
You’ll learn how the mechanics and core elements of role playing games (RPGs) relate to living and learning with dogs, with a focus on helping environmentally sensitive and worried dogs. We apply the RPG approach to dogs in the real world based on the Control Unleashed framework created by Leslie McDevitt.
The webinar includes video examples that demonstrate the concepts in the context of real-life scenarios.
Endorsed by Leslie McDevitt! “A must see webinar”
Watch This Short Trailer Here
Learning Objectives

Identify what is a role playing game aka RPG
Recognize applications of fantasy and role playing games in human behavior and learning
Understand how RPGs can help us create our own dog training adventures
Analyze the core elements of RPGs and how they pertain to living and learning with dogs
Relate the RPG mechanics to your dog’s mental and emotional state
Apply the RPG approach to real-life and adapt the concepts to your team

Presented by Judith Bordt
CEUs: PPAB 1, CCPDT 1, KPA 1, PMCT 1, & IAABC Pending
Registered for the live event, get busy and cannot make it! No worries you will automatically receive a recording!
About the Presenter
Judith Bordt, BA (Hons), CCUI, ProDogTrainer, Doggycoach I’m a force-free certified dog trainer and behavior consultant in France (éducateur canin comportementaliste) specialized in games-based training with a particular focus on dogs who struggle with reactivity-, over-arousal-, and chase-related behaviors. Brave New Dog is my playground where I offer online and in-person events for dogs and people.
Play is my favorite approach to teaching and learning. I’m especially interested in play as a state of mind, rather than an activity. My main goal is to transform the human’s mental attitude towards interacting with their canine partner from training to play.
WEBSITE LINK: https://petprofessionalguild.com/event-5226167

Online Course – 6/3/23 – Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshop – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)
2023-06-03 11:00 - 13:30
Are you ready to be part of the solution for feral and stray cats in your neighborhood? Our expert instructors will teach you best practices for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and colony management. Learn what TNR is and why it works. We’ll cover getting along with neighbors, preparations for trapping, trapping itself (including entire colonies at once), feeding, providing winter shelter, and more. Take advantage of the interactive format, extensive handouts, and video footage of actual projects. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance and gain access to an ongoing Facebook group for networking with other TNR activists. Instructed by Susan Richmond, executive director, and Bryan Kortis, national programs director.
Session duration is 2.5 hours, followed by an optional 15-minute Q&A session.
Proudly sponsored by Tomahawk Live Trap
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/the-neighborhood-cats-tnr-certification-workshop-june-2023/

Online Course – Starts 6/4/23 – Fundamentals of Animal Behavior and Learning – IAABC (fee applies)
2023-06-04
By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Think scientifically about animal training and behavior consulting for all species.
Break training into component principles.
Analyze environmental events that maintain behavior.
Recognize how labels such as “aggressive” or “submissive” cloud your thinking and work.
Establish accurate descriptions of animals who are said to be “confident,” “creative,” “a problem solver,” and how you should approach those learners.
Understand the common principles at play in different animals & species.
Directly assess behavior and train more humanely and effectively by cutting through the jargon.

Duration: 4 weeks
Instructor: JoAnna Platzer, B.Sc. & Dr. Erica Feuerbacher

This four-week course will begin on the specified start date. The first three weeks will explore the scope of the course. There will be no new content in the fourth week which is reserved for completing final projects, discussion and synthesizing the course content.
Students will have access to the course for 1 year from the date of their most recent IAABC Foundation purchase.

Online Lectures: Each week there will be several short videos (10-20 minutes each; typically 60-90 minutes total per week) that will discuss the topics for that week.

Online Readings with Reading Guides: Each week you will have a scientific reading with a guide to help you navigate the reading. The paper will exemplify the principles being discussed that week.

Online Assignments: During Weeks 1-3, you will have 1-2 short online assignments each week. Some of these will entail you giving an example and then giving feedback on examples provided by a few of your fellow students.

Online Posts: During Weeks 2-4 you will post two questions, comments or reflections relevant to the material from the previous week to the discussion forum. You will also respond to at least two of your fellow students’ posts from that week (= a total of four posts per week). Your questions and responses will be graded based on their thoughtfulness and completeness.

Final Project: During Week 4, you will complete a final project/paper in which you will synthesize the topics covered to cohesively analyze and scientifically critique publicly available training videos and handouts.1

WEBSITE LINK: https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/fundamentals-of-animal-behavior-and-learning/

Online Course – Starts 6/5/23 – The Forensics of Aggression: Working With and Evaluating Canine Aggression – IAABC (fee applies)
2023-06-05
Jim Crosby is widely recognized as an expert in the field of dog bites, dog aggression, and fatal dog attacks. In this four-part course, Jim is sharing his hard-won knowledge and experience about dog aggression, bites, communication, and what we can do with all of this as we go through our personal and professional journeys through the canine world.
Four Modules, four live meetings (Full Students only), and experience that literally only exists in a hand full of places in the world, Jim is here to share those experiences and the understanding he has gained in nearly twenty years of dealing with the worst of the worst – and a few dogs too.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Recognize the purpose of aggression and when it is or is not appropriate
Analyze how bites happen and what evidence they leave
Evaluate WHICH dog did it, and the basis of inclusion and exclusion of potential suspects
Exchange signals with problem dogs and build the beginnings of trust
Explore dog case evaluations and their application to individual dogs

Graphic Content Warning: Course contains images of fatal dog bites and injuries.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WEEKLY ONLINE MEETINGS

Auditors do not attend online meetings
Meetings are not recorded
Meetings take place on Mondays at 1:00 pm Eastern (first meeting June 12th)
Meetings are 1 hour in duration
There are 4 meetings for this course

WEBSITE LINK: https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/forensics-of-aggression/

Webinar – 6/5/23 – Playgroups Part 1: The Why – Dogs Playing for Life
2023-06-05 11:00 - 12:30
Learn about all the ways in which DPFL Playgroups are transforming shelters all across the country! In this first of three webinars, we will present powerful examples of how playgroups can not only enhance the quality of life for your shelter dogs but how focusing on their quality of life through enrichment can lead to game-changing benefits to your shelter’s everyday operations. Attendees will get to view dynamic video examples and impactful data and experiences from some of the nearly 300 shelters who have embraced the power of letting shelter dogs play!
This is a 1.5-hour presentation followed by a Q&A session. This webinar will not be recorded.
This course has been pre-approved for 1.5 continuing education unit (CEU) credits for: Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP)
IMPORTANT: This webinar is scheduled on Eastern Time. Webinar recordings will not be available so make sure you don’t miss it!
*Part 1 attendees will be sent the signup links to parts 2 & 3 upon completing the first webinar.

Playgroups Part 2: The What (June 12 at 11 a.m.)

In Part 2, we dive into what DPFL-style Playgroups look like! During this webinar, we will view and discuss dog-to-dog communication and body language, as well as some of the operational aspects of a successful playgroup program.
Attendees will learn the various ways in which handlers should observe and learn about the dogs in their playgroups in order to create the safest, most enriching and informational experiences for the dogs in their care.

Playgroups Part 3: The How (June 19 at 11 a.m.)

In this last section, we take a deep dive into the critical aspects of how to successfully facilitate playgroups in your shelter.
Attendees will be offered a robust collection of video examples and important discussions on safety, effective handling techniques, and how to take the first steps to implement or enhance their own shelter playgroup programs.

WEBSITE LINK: https://dogsplayingforlife.com/webinars/

Webinar - 6/6/23 - Considerations for the City Dog: Placing and Helping Dogs in Densely Populated Areas - PPG (fee applies)
2023-06-06 10:00 - 11:00
In nearly every matchmaking quiz about finding the perfect dog, there are considerations for a pet’s energy level, size, and sometimes there will be mention of if the dog will be ok in an apartment – but very rarely are the environmental impacts of a city mentioned.
Noise from garbage trucks backing up and crashing cans to the sidewalk, straight lines from hallways and sidewalks, and elevators are just a few of the daily obstacles our dogs have to cope with when they move into densely populated areas.
The way cities are built for people is in direct conflict with how most of our dogs comfortably navigate the world, and with more people bringing companions into their condos and high rises, we have to look at how to best match for the environment, too.
Presenter Melissa McCue-McGrath will walk attendees through what makes living in a city harder on our dogs, how to look for city-smart pups who will cope better in these busy environments, and you’ll never look at sidewalks the same way again. This presentation is for those who are presently working in cities or will likely take on clients in densely populated areas; for rescuers and breeders looking for ways to help place dogs appropriately, and for those curious as to how the environment impacts our dogs in a very real way.
CEUs: PPAB 1, CCPDT 1, KPA 1, PMCT 1, & IAABC pending
About Your Presenter
Melissa McCue-McGrath, CPDT-KA has spent most of the last 20 years focusing on the environmental impact on pet dogs and their families in densely populated areas. She wrote the book Considerations for the City Dog in 2015 to help address some common training and behavior issues in cities.
As part of her work, she has been invited to present at Tufts University, The Broad Institute/MIT, the New England Federation of Humane Societies, and the Boston Museum of Science during their DOGS: A Science Tail! exhibition in 2020. Melissa has been the co-training director of the New England Dog Training Club (the oldest AKC obedience club in the US) since 2012 and is currently teaching at the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk, Maine. Her side project, the BewilderBeasts podcast, focuses on stories on the infinite ways in which animals intersect with human conventions. The podcast has a steady worldwide audience and frequently breaks the top 50 in science/nature podcast rankings.
Melissa, her husband, and their daughter moved from busy Boston to a quiet piece of land in Maine in 2022. Joining them in tick-country include their aptly named dog, Captain Love, two ancient cats who will live forever, and the most loved flock of chickens on the planet. For more information, go to www.melissamccuemcgrath.com, listen at BewilderBeastsPod.com, and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or on Instagram.
WEBSITE LINK: https://petprofessionalguild.com/event-5187846

Online Event - 6/6/23 - The Roundtable: Bottlenecks in Sheltering - Can Deferring Spay/Neuter Save More Lives? - The AAWA
2023-06-06 13:00 - 14:00
The Association’s Roundtable series features leaders discussing emerging and critical issues in animal welfare.
Does your organization require spay/neuter for all animals prior to adoption? A panel of leaders will discuss how deferring spay/neuter surgeries until post adoption can alleviate crowding in shelters and save more lives. Discussion topics will include:
• How this program shift impacts shelter operations and outcomes for pets
• How to get staff, volunteer, and board buy-in on this lifesaving tactic
• Why PetSmart Charities is removing the spay/neuter requirement for in-store adoptable animals under 6-months
Join this roundtable to learn why your organization might consider deferring spay/neuter to post adoption as a lifesaving solution for burdened shelter populations.
The Roundtable Panel:

Rory Adams, Senior Manager, Adoption Initiatives, PetSmart Charities
Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DABVP, Fran Marino Distinguished Professor of Shelter Medicine Education at the University of Florida
Heidi Marston, Director, Pet Placement Initiatives, PetSmart Charities
Art Muñoz, Director of Animal Services, City of Garland, Texas

Moderated by Jim Tedford, CAWA, President & CEO, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
This roundtable has been approved for 1 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credit.
WEBSITE LINK: https://learning.theaawa.org/p/RT-snbottlenecks

Webinar - 6/6/23 - From Intake to Outcomes: Managing Summer Space Crises with Animal Case Management - HASS
2023-06-06 15:00 - 16:00
Summer is a challenging time for animal shelters, often coming with high intake numbers and slowed adoptions—that can be a recipe for a space crisis. To get more pets out, shelters are getting creative. Mara Hartsell, Shelter Support Advisor for American Pets Alive!, is sharing how shelters can (and are!) using a case management approach to move more pets through the sheltering system. Mara will cover four action categories that can speed up the outcomes process and reduce length of stay for the animals in your care. Join live to hear about real life examples and leave with practical strategies you can apply in your organization.
Register below and join live on Tuesday, June 6 at 5 p.m. CT to better manage summer space crises and improve animal outcomes. After the live event, a recording will be distributed to everyone who registers within 3 business days.
WEBSITE LINK: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/6016782060176/WN_uZP8qMpyTB6mkaT4FMF4uA#/registration
