Shelter Learniverse and Industry-Wide Calendar

PPG Presents (fee applies): Anxiety is a major problem for many pet dogs. What happens in your dog’s brain and body when something scares her? How long can you expect her stress response to last? In this webinar, Jessica Hekman, DVM, PhD, will talk about the stress response in dogs. She will explain the original evolutionary purpose of the stress response; what the hormones involved in it (like cortisol) do in the body; the difference between acute and chronic stress and the different effects they have on dogs’ health; and what we know about how long it takes the body to clear those hormones. You will definitely learn some cool stuff about how the brain works and what that means for your stressed-out dog!

VetGirl and Zoetis Present: In this complimentary VETgirl–Zoetis online webinar, Dr. Fiona Bateman, DACVD will focus on 5 keys steps for finding immediate and long-term solutions for allergic dogs. These include: Having a practice plan for allergic patients. Treating itch as an urgent condition. Being committed to the diagnostic workup. Finding an anchor treatment as the foundation for long term control. Communicating correctly to partner with owners and set realistic expectations. Thanks to sponsorship from Zoetis Petcare, this webinar is free to all!

Natural Encounters Presents (fee applies): Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of behaviors toward a goal behavior and is the most common form of positive reinforcement training in the animal field today. This seminar takes a deep dive into the intricacies of various strategies of shaping behavior with a wide variety of animals.

ShelterLuv Presents: Join us as we introduce our new Points of Care (Community Programs) Tracking. Shelterluv’s software now makes it possible to document, track, and report all the points of care shelter teams provide to pets and people, whether it’s a volunteer distributing a bag of critically needed pet food, a field services officer providing a leash and collar, or a staff member visiting a family to assess need. No more spreadsheets. No more notebooks. All the information is now available at your fingertips within our fully mobile software.

The AAWA and PetFinder Pro Present: Attendees will hear how peer organizations throughout the United States have embraced a fresh and more equitable approach to supporting the bond between pets and the diverse range of people who love them. The future of animal welfare is bright and we have an unprecedented opportunity to make positive change!

VetGirl and Merck Present: Join us for a complimentary, 30-minute VETgirl – Merck Animal Health YouTube LIVE event, where Dr. Kacie Blessing, DACVD reviews canine otitis. Get some tips on how to manage and effectively treat otitis in dogs! Plus, enter the Scary Ear sweepstakes HERE!

Natural Encounters Presents (fee applies): Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of behaviors toward a goal behavior and is the most common form of positive reinforcement training in the animal field today. This seminar takes a deep dive into the intricacies of various strategies of shaping behavior with a wide variety of animals.

The AAWA Presents: All pets deserve access to veterinary care. But millions of families have limited access to veterinary care, mainly due to insufficient funds. Lack of needed veterinary care negatively impacts the whole family—human and nonhuman—and may lead to relinquishment to shelters. The community this is also at risk from the spread of zoonotic diseases. Dr. Blackwell, Director of the Program for Pet Health Equity, University of Tennessee, will speak about this national family crisis and AlignCare®, a One Health healthcare system to address it. AlignCare improves access to veterinary care for families in need by aligning community resources and activities nationally.

NACA/Justice Clearinghouse Present: Does your agency investigate and respond to criminal cases involving animals? How do you obtain legal custody of the animal victims? Animals are property under the law, which means agencies who remove them from their owners must ensure they are standing on solid legal ground. Agencies seizing animals in criminal cases face many challenges. Animals are the evidence of the crime but, with time, their conditions change. Wounds heal and illness and disease are treated. The evidentiary value of the animals’ condition diminishes as they recover. Therefore, by the time the case goes to court, the current condition of the animal or its presence in the courtroom is not necessary to make the case. Animal victims deserve to recover and be placed into a suitable permanent home as quickly as possible. This session will explore civil remedies agencies have to secure custody of seized animals.

Network for Good Presents: Did you know that 1/3 of all charitable giving occurs in December? And with the rise of donations these past few months, we don’t expect it to be any different this year. Make sure you’re prepared to maximize your donations and end this year strong. Join us as we walk you through strategies to achieve the best #GivingTuesday and year-end results.

Maddie’s Fund Presents: Securing pet-friendly housing was already a challenge, even in the “before times,” but the situation has reached nothing short of dire with the one-two punch delivered by the pandemic and a teetering national economy. Amidst the confluence of a debilitating unemployment rate, an economy on pause, and a communicable virus that just won’t abate, the prospect of losing one’s housing invokes myriad disastrous potential scenarios. As more renters find themselves on the brink of eviction, the animal welfare field is girding for a deluge of surrenders. But hang on! There’s still more that can be done to keep people with pets together safely in their homes.

Fear Free Presents: Join Dr. Julie Reck, owner and founder of Fear Free Certified Practice Veterinary Medical Center of Fort Mill, for a discussion on vaccines, how to administer vaccines in a Fear Free manner, and how to improve communication throughout your practice to navigate preventative care in a curbside environment.