Shelter Learniverse

Online Certificate Program – Starts 1/29/24 – Animal Shelter Management Certificate Program – Animal Health and Clinic Operations – Humane Network/UoP (fee applies)
2024-01-29 | Virtual
Society’s relationship to pets continues to evolve. The majority of people consider their pets to be beloved family members and expect their local animal shelter to work diligently to save the lives of the dogs and cats that enter the facility. This program will provide the knowledge you need to assume a management or leadership role at an open-admission animal shelter. You’ll learn how to maximize a shelter’s lifesaving potential through program management, community engagement, and shelter operations while at the same time preparing yourself for an exciting career.
The five courses are:

Leadership covering strategic planning, analyzing operations, decision-making, managing people and processes to achieve results, organizational responsibilities, and working with a board of directors.
Shelter Operations covering adoptions, animal care and sheltering fundamentals, animal behavior and enrichment, and customer service.
Community Program Development covering volunteers, foster care, spay/neuter, pet retention, events, and community relations.
Animal Health and Clinic Operations covering understanding shelter medicine, basic animal health considerations and care, euthanasia decisions, and clinic operations.
Marketing and Development covering development fundamentals, fundraising strategies, marketing fundamentals, adoption promotion, social media and websites, and media relations.

Each of these courses include live video conference sessions with top experts in the field providing students valuable contacts within the field. Additionally, alumni have access to exclusive networking opportunities and receive notification of employment opportunities.
You can sign up for individual courses or all five for a discount. All five must be completed to get a certificate.
Who will benefit from the program?

Professionals seeking a career change to something more personally fulfilling.
New shelter directors.
Shelter directors or managers wishing to improve their organization’s live release rate and sustainability.
People working in the animal welfare field who wish to advance into management roles.
Board members of animal shelters.

Credit for program/courses
Upon completion of all five courses, you will receive a Certificate in Animal Shelter Management from the University of the Pacific.
Each course earns:

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the University of the Pacific
Association of Animal Welfare Advancement CAWA Continuing Education (CE) credits

Schedule and Registration
Each of the five online courses are six weeks long and are offered sequentially. The entire program is about seven months long, and a new round starts again after a short break. More information on start dates of each course and the registration form can be found on the University of the Pacific website.
​WEBSITE LINK: https://uc.pacific.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=21282#courseSectionDetails_2946837

Online Conference – 1/27/24 to 1/28/24 – 2024 Online Cat Conference – Community Cats Podcast (fee applies)
2024-01-28 07:00 - 14:00, 2024-01-27 07:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
It’s back! Get ready for Our 7th Online Cat Conference.
Each year, the worldwide Community Cats Podcast community joins together at this unique virtual event—no travel required! During three comprehensive days of cat-centric content, speakers from a wide variety of roles in animal welfare will give you their perspective on the industry and valuable information that will help you or your organization create a more humane world for community cats.
Early bird registration is just $50 (increases to $75 in December so don’t wait!) and includes access to the live event and recorded sessions after the event, as well as speaker slides, handouts, and more.
#ThanksToMaddie we have several scholarships available for folks helping cats in the United States. If you would like a scholarship please fill out this short form below. Scholarships are limited.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/online-cat-conference-jan-2024/

Webinar - 1/25/24 - In Whose Best Interest? with Karen Deeds - FDSA (fee applies)
2024-01-25 18:00 - 19:00
This webinar will not outline any training or behavior modification. What it will do is present your options for dogs with serious behavior problems and give you a framework about how to make an educated decision regarding those options. Is management alone an appropriate option? Or is your problem too severe to chance management failure? Is the problem one that can be responsibly transferred to another owner and/or another environment successfully? The same variables to help determine what option is best for you, will also be critical in determining if training and behavior modification are a viable option as well as how successful that option may be. The agonizing decision to discuss behavioral euthanasia with your veterinarian can also be analyzed logically by using these same variables. This can be a difficult topic. But it is important to keep in mind, in whose best interest we decide.
Whether you are part of a rescue group, shelter staff, or volunteer, dedicated dog owner, professional trainer or behavior consultant, or a veterinarian working with a client, this webinar will help to make an appropriate decision regarding a dog in your care.
Join Karen Deeds as she takes you through over 20 variables about the dog, the environment, and the people involved to help you determine what option is best for a dog with serious behavior issues.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/self-study/webinars

Webinar - 1/25/24 - In It for the Long Haul: Combatting Compassion Fatigue and Enhancing Resiliency for Animal Welfare Professionals - NACA/Justice Clearinghouse
2024-01-25 12:00 - 13:15
The animal protection field is both incredibly rewarding and challenging. This webinar will discuss the causes and symptoms of compassion fatigue and provide a suite of skills for building and maintaining a healthy and intentional culture of skillful communication, openness, and personal responsibility.
Topics to be covered:

A shared language and understanding of the causes and symptoms of compassion fatigue
Skills that can be used to build and maintain a healthy and intentional culture
Communication, openness, and personal responsibility related to compassion fatigue

This webinar has been certified by the National Animal Care & Control Association and is approved for 1 Continuing Education Unit. Please refer to your NACA membership portal for current CEU submission process. Current NACA Members who attend the live presentation or watch the recording will be able to download a jointly issued attendance certificate that includes the National Animal Care & Control Association logo. Visit the NACA training page for a complete list of future trainings.
About the Presenter:
Hilary Anne Hager is the Vice President of Outreach, Engagement and Training for the Humane Society of the United States. She has spent the last twenty years in the animal protection field, working at two different animal shelters, volunteering in wildlife rehabilitation, and as a member of the board of directors for several organizations, including a chimpanzee sanctuary, a “friends-of” nonprofit group supporting a municipal shelter, and a state federation of animal welfare organizations. She teaches compassion fatigue workshops around the country to help provide members of the animal protection community the support and resources to maintain their own well-being while working in a challenging and emotionally-charged environment. Hilary holds a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/in-it-for-the-long-haul-combatting-compassion-fatigue-and-enhancing-resiliency-for-animal-welfare-professionals/

Webinar - 1/24/24 - Grief & Loss in Veterinary Medicine - BlackDVM Network
2024-01-24 16:00 - 17:00
Euthanasia is an experience, not a procedure or event. The experience of the loss of an animal companion, no matter how dignified, well-planned, and peaceful, initiates a physiological, cognitive, and emotional process which is unique to the individual. This program explores the experience of loss not only for the human “pet parent,” but also for the other animals who shared in the life of the deceased. Humans and animals have parallel emotional circuitry built into the limbic system of the brain. There is much about the emotional experience of loss that we have in common with our animal companions. Listeners will be challenged to imagine foreign perspectives and re-think the human-animal bond, anthropomorphism, and mortality itself.
This webinar will equip you with skills to:

Challenge assumptions about patients, clients, and the end of life
Become comfortable allowing animals to show their emotional needs
Engage better with clients, patients, and colleagues

WEBSITE LINK: https://www.blackdvmnetwork.com/event-details/grief-loss-in-veterinary-medicine

Webinar – 1/24/24 – Telemedicine and Vaccine Clinics in California: What Shelters Need to Know About Legislative Updates for 2024 – Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge
2024-01-24 10:00 - 11:30
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT NOW – CLICK HERE
January 24, 2024 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
We’ve got amazing news about access to care in animal shelters for 2024. Thanks to groundbreaking veterinary telemedicine and vaccine legislation, your California shelter can ring in the new year with fewer restrictions around who can provide essential care and how, freeing up your team to more easily meet medical needs in the shelter or community.
Discover how your shelter can:

Empower RVTs to take charge of vaccine clinics (even if your vet is elsewhere)
Provide increased access to wellness care for pets in your community
Use telemedicine to expand the veterinary care your shelter can provide, whether an animal is in foster or in the field, working with staff or contract veterinarians
Increase access to care for underserved pets and their people and decrease unnecessary intake
Use telemedicine to increase veterinary care for animals in the shelter

This must-see webinar will set the stage for everything you do this year. Register today and invite your field officers, veterinary staff and community partners, so you can turn the page to better care together!

Powered by partnership. This webinar is brought to you by the Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge Learniverse at the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, San Francisco SPCA’s Shelter PALS program, and CalAnimals. By sharing our diverse expertise and working together to find the intersections where California law impacts animal shelters, we’ve formulated holistic shelter practices that allow you to better leverage the law.

Want to invite others to this webinar?
Download, print, and share this flyer and post it at your shelter to invite other staff members!
Click to download this flyer

Online Meeting - Mondays - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie - Maddie's Fund
2024-01-22 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-01-08 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 - 1/21/24 - Antimicrobial Use in the Clinic: What’s My Perfect Drug Match? Swipe Right on Microbe Killers - VETGirl
2024-01-21 17:00 - 18:00
Hey..ho..it’s what you NEED to know!
In this complimentary, 1-hour VETgirl – Antech webinar, Scott Weese and Michelle Evason will discuss key aspects of (and common questions on) clinical antimicrobial use in dogs and cats. Tune in to learn about practical management of common & emerging antimicrobial and stewardship topics, along with freely available evidence- and expert-based resources to help with veterinary antimicrobial use, preventive care, and pet-owner communication!
Thanks to sponsorship from Antech, 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/january-21-2024-antimicrobial-use-in-the-clinic-whats-my-perfect-drug-match-swipe-right-on-microbe-killers/

Online Event - 1/17/24 and 1/18/24 - Discovering a New Path: Positive Training for Aggressive & Reactive Dogs! - Puppyworks (fee applies)
2024-01-18 10:00 - 12:30, 2024-01-17 10:00 - 12:30
Exclusive Online Event Featuring Annie Phenix, Sarah Fisher & Dr. Laura Donaldson!
5.5 CEUs – January 17 & 18, 2024 – 10 AM PST, 11 AM Mountain, 12 PM Central & 1 PM EST

Or watch onDemand anytime, anywhere after the live session!

When traditional methods fail in addressing aggressive or reactive behavior in dogs, what’s the next step? Walking away from clients or suggesting drastic measures like euthanasia or punitive measures? Join us in this groundbreaking webinar where we explore a new innovative approach—strictly positive training—for handling aggressive and reactive dogs.
We delve into understanding the root causes behind these behaviors. We’ll shine a light on the physical and emotional trauma that often underlies aggression, unraveling the triggers that lead to reactive responses. Our focus lies in empowering dogs to choose non-aggressive reactions through a compassionate training approach.
This webinar is designed to equip trainers with insights into causation, enabling a shift towards effective solutions rooted in positive reinforcement. Join us as we explore this transformative method, aiming to create a safer and happier environment for both dogs and their human companions.
For a better understanding of reactivity we must include creating deep safety dogs and have a nonviolent approach that allows for social processing in the dog in a way that addresses canine trauma and teaches dogs how to self-calm.
A new, strictly positive approach to managing aggressive & reactive dogs delving deep into often overlooked issues ranging from trauma, stress factors, nervous system and phobias – based on Annie Phenix groundbreaking book.
Discussing the shift in the training industry that elevates the welfare of the dog before formal training takes place.
Annie Phenix will provide an In-depth look at body language, phobias and their effect on reactivity via:

A crash course in FREE-WORK by Sarah Fisher, the non-intrusive approach teaching keen observations skills to handlers and trainers, focusing on movement patterns, body awareness, proprioception and the vestibular system as sources of pain inducing reactivity.
Slow Thinking is Lifesaving for Dogs® with Dr. Laura Donaldson focusing on changing a dog’s thinking patterns to find more appropriate ways to respond to triggers by helping to gradually reorient the dog’s perception.

WEBSITE LINK: https://www.puppyworks.com/phenix

Online Event - 1/18/24 - Open Arms 2024 Pre-Challenge Huddle - Maddie's Fund
2024-01-18 10:00 - 10:30
Join Maddie’s Fund on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 10am PST/1pm EST for our 30-minute Open Arms 2024 Pre-Challenge Huddle!
We’ll be discussing the Grants Portal, Registration Process, Participation Reports and past grant winners as well as answering your Open Arms Challenge questions. Joining this huddle is not required to participate in the Challenge, but recommended if this is your first time joining one.
We will share the recording after the Huddle and continue the discussion on Maddie’s Pet Forum.
WEBSITE LINK: http://maddiesfund-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpcuGhpzssEt0Z5sX0ovoFIZiV8PVk30MG#/registration

Online Course – 1/17/24 – Surrender Prevention Certification Workshop – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)
2024-01-17 16:00 - 17:30
As a Surrender Prevention Specialist, you may be the difference between a cat losing her home and staying in her home. Join this session to learn what surrender prevention is and why it works. Instructed by Dr. Rachel Geller, she will share real examples, with proven results, setting the potential surrenderer and cat on the road to a happy relationship together and keeping the cat in her home. We’ll cover how to empathize with cat owners, working around their limitations (financial, time, patience) and focus on the 3 most common reasons for surrender: litter box problems, scratching (and not on the scratching post!) and intercat aggression. Take advantage of the interactive format, extensive handouts, and video footage of actual techniques. Attendees will receive a certificate after taking a short quiz.
#ThanksToMaddie, scholarship opportunities are available! If you or someone you know would like to be considered for a complimentary registration, please fill out the form here.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/surrender-prevention-certification-workshop-jan-2024/

Webinar - 1/17/24 - Aligning DEI Programming with Strategy - The AAWA
2024-01-17 12:00 - 13:00
Toward a Culture of Belonging and Inclusion in Animal Welfare
Would your leadership like to start or expand your DEI initiatives? Having trouble getting buy in from your staff, board, or community? Learn how Marin Humane partnered with a consultant to align their DEI programming with their strategic plan and priorities. Marin Humane found by connecting the dots, they began thinking more creatively about addressing critical needs in their community.
The presenters will share examples of projects and programming implemented during a nine-month capacity-building engagement. You will walk away with a menu of projects and programs plus sample project charters, including a job description review with revision and plans for board diversification.
Session Objectives:

Understand the key factors that drive organizational effectiveness through DEI goals and objectives
Develop DEI plans that integrate with organizational strategies and priorities
Deploy viable short, mid, and long-term DEI projects and programming to address improvements to talent acquisition, engagement, and retention; organizational morale; mission-driven programming; and board development

WEBSITE LINK: https://learning.theaawa.org/p/1-17-24

Webinar – 1/17/24 – Level Up Your Cat Housing: Game-Changing Upgrades Are Within Reach – Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge
2024-01-17 10:00 - 11:30
Register Now!

Discover innovative, proven strategies to transform your feline housing and get cats purring! With this webinar, you’ll be prepared to level up your shelter’s housing even with limited resources. UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program veterinarians Dr. Becky Stuntebeck and Dr. Denae Wagner will unveil tips and tactics for creating environments that work better for cats and for your team. From DIY cozy nooks to interactive play zones and portals, you’ll learn the how-tos of housing that puts cats at ease, supports animal health and staff safety, and encourages adoptions. You’ll also discover keys to supercharging cat care and overall welfare regardless of housing.
Don’t wait – get all the info you need to get ahead while cat population numbers are lower. Register today and revolutionize cat housing and care in your shelter!
You‘ll learn:

How to improve your cat housing
Setup & strategies that meet cat, staff, & shelter needs
Double-compartment housing benefits for cats & staff

To invite others, download, print, share, and post the flyer at your shelter.

Register Now!

Click the image to download the flyer, then print, share, and post it at your shelter to invite other staff members

To register, scan this code with your phone’s camera.
This webinar is brought to you by the Maddie’sⓇ Million Pet Challenge Learniverse at the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program.

Online Event - 1st Tuesdays - All Call - California for All Animals
2024-01-16 12:00 - 13:00
The All Call is a twice-monthly, California community call for animal well-being professionals. The one-hour call is a dedicated space to share and learn from each other. Popular topics include initiatives that create a more inclusive culture for both staff and community, programs that keep pets with their people, industry trends, research studies, as well as the hard stuff, like what’s not working or what is particularly difficult during times of scarcity. The call is a mix of presentations, storytelling, open discussion, and Q&A time.
The All Call is hosted by the California for All Animals team, Nadia Oseguera-Ramón, Ivy Ruiz, and Allison Cardona. You only need to register one time. Calls are sometimes recorded; recap emails with supplemental resources are sent post-call. Find past call resources and recordings, including the recent Multicultural Engagement Community of Practice series, at the Cal for All Animals website.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/all-call

Webinar - 1/16/24 - Playgroups: The Why, the What, and the How - Dogs Playing for Life
2024-01-16 08:00 - 11:00
Learn about all the ways in which DPFL Playgroups are transforming shelters all across the country! This webinar (formerly offered in three parts) will cover the Why, the What, and the How of playgroups.
Attendees will be introduced to dynamic video examples and impactful data and experiences from some of the over 350 shelters who have embraced the power of letting shelter dogs play!
This is a 3-hour presentation with Q&A at intervals throughout. This webinar will not be recorded.
This course has been pre-approved for 3 continuing education unit (CEU) credits for Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) and by the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP).
WEBSITE LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ie4fO2XQQcmgY_2MQnbwnA#/registration

Webinar - 1/11/24 - Sheltering Beyond Shelters: Housing Justice Advocacy and its Role in Animal Welfare - HASS
2024-01-11 15:00 - 16:00
Housing is a necessity that impacts all families in the United States, and believe it or not – it also profoundly affects animal shelters. Join us for a webinar on the state of housing and the history of housing justice advocacy efforts in the U.S. (and why animal welfare advocates should care). Lauren Loney, Staff Attorney & Policy Specialist for HASS, will share highlights from the HASS shelter intake reasons database, which details more than 20,000 housing-related intakes across the country. Joining Lauren is Megan Collop (MSW, LCSW), Manager of Client Support Services for Colorado Legal Services, and Christina Rosales, Housing and Land Justice Director for PowerSwitch Action. Megan is a licensed clinical social worker with a master’s in social work and an Animal Assisted Social Work certificate. Christina holds a master’s in social work and has dedicated her career to advocating for equitable housing. These impressive panelists will discuss why our approach to the pets and housing crisis must go beyond pet inclusivity, be intersectional, and align with broader tenants’ rights and housing justice movements; they will also provide resources for how to do it. Vincent Medley, Maddie’s® Director of Human Animal Support Services, will moderate.
Register below and join us live on Thursday, January 11 at 5 p.m. CT. After the live event, a recording will be distributed to all registrants within 3 business days.
WEBSITE LINK: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/2616740581796/WN_-AIP-PlOQt-geuDOGubKoA

Webinar - 1/11/24 - Maddie's Insights: Foster Care and the Human-Animal Bond - Maddie's Fund
2024-01-11 12:00 - 13:00
It is commonplace among those who provide foster care for animals to have a recurring conversation with those who do not. Upon hearing that one is an animal foster parent a frequent response is, “Oh, I could never do that. I would not be able to give the animal up.” But this is precisely what those caring for animal fosters are called to do. The ability of animal shelters and rescues to provide critical care through foster homes depends on volunteers who willingly and temporarily take animals into their homes and lives. Studies of foster volunteers has indicated that they find taking care of animals with medical, and particularly behavioral, issue to be stressful. And, volunteers that do not feel that their shelter is providing them sufficient emotional support are more likely to think about quitting. Given these two realities it becomes important for shelter staff to understand the emotional aspects of providing foster care and to identify ways to better support volunteers so that they are satisfied and more likely to continue to provide this service.
The presentation addresses these issues with the following learning objectives:

What is the nature of attachment (human-animal bond) between volunteers and their foster animals?
What emotions do volunteers experience when their fosters leave their care?
What coping and resilience strategies appear to reduce the stress of providing foster care?
How can animal shelters help foster volunteers cope with the stress inherent to fostering?

This webinar has been pre-approved for 1.0 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credits by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and by the National Animal Care & Control Association. It has also been submitted for approval for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize the Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) approval.
If you have questions you’d like our presenter to answer, submit your questions or comments on this discussion thread: https://forum.maddiesfund.org/discussion/webcast-on-january-11-2024-maddies-insights-foster-care-and-the-human-animal-bond
About the Presenter
Dr. Laura Reese is a professor in the School of Planning, Design, and Construction at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on issues of animal welfare policy and shelter management. She wrote the book, Strategies for Successful Animal Shelters, and has published numerous articles on local animal ordinances, dog bite risks, animal cruelty, compassion fatigue, animal foster programs, and animal shelter volunteer satisfaction. She is the president of Professional Animal Welfare Services which provides consulting services to animal shelters and rescues and founded The Un-Shelter a foster-based rescue in Michigan. Dr. Reese also volunteers in and provides foster care for local animal shelters in the Charleston, SC area.
WEBSITE LINK: http://maddies.fund/MIwebcasts

Webinar - 1/11/24 - Bringing the Past, Present and Future into Focus for Kittens - National Kitten Coalition
2024-01-11 11:00 - 12:00
It was not very long ago in the United States that kittens too young for adoption or those with signs of illness were routinely euthanized. Happily, the situation for kittens in our country has been rapidly changing, and those same kittens who would never have had a chance in the past are now being successfully cared for and adopted into loving homes.
This session will provide the inspiration for attendees to continue in their life-saving efforts. Attendees will gain insights into past and present situations for kittens’ survival and will also acquire useful, proven information on new, upcoming programs and protocols being implemented around the country that are saving more kittens than ever. We can see a better future for kittens in our country, and together we can make that vision become the reality!
Presenter: Rosemarie Crawford, LVT
Click here to register for this FREE webinar.
If you can’t join us for the live presentation, don’t worry! Sign-up anyway, because a recording of this, and other webinars, will be available on NKC’s eLearning Center no later than two weeks after they air.
WEBSITE LINK: https://kittencoalition.org/event/bringing-the-past-present-and-future-into-focus-for-kittens/

Webinar – 1/11/24 – For Dog’s Sake, Can You Stop That? Canine-Friendly Body Language Improvements for Humans – Dogs Playing for Life
2024-01-11 09:00 - 11:30
Dogs are resilient and oh-so-forgiving! These qualities make them endearing as companions, along with their ability to love unconditionally. So, why do some dogs struggle to understand us when we are offering affection or when we want to help them, not harm them? In this session, we will focus on the HUMAN handling that contributes to unwanted behavior, even “aggression”. Get ready to rethink your approach as we reveal the common and widely accepted and taught handling errors that set dogs up for failure. Through extensive video examples, we will demonstrate alternative handling techniques that help dogs to trust and thrive!

This webinar will demonstrate:
– Examples of handling that causes negative behavior compared to handling that promotes desired behavior
– Demonstration of handling that induces trust and learning with dogs that are too afraid to respond initially to food rewards or affection
– Comprehensive discussion around the correct use of pressure and release and why this is a critical skill for shelter canine handlers to master to save more dogs
This is a 2-hour presentation followed by a Q&A session. This webinar will NOT be recorded and is scheduled at EASTERN TIME.
WEBSITE LINK: https://dogsplayingforlife.com/webinars/

Webinar - 1/10/24 - Trans* Inclusive Workplaces - The AAWA
2024-01-10 12:00 - 13:00
Toward a Culture of Belonging and Inclusion in Animal Welfare
How can we ensure inclusion, safety, and belonging for transgender* people in our organizations?
Webinar attendees will unpack the importance of DEI work concerning transgender, non-binary, and gender-fluid people in the animal sheltering and well-being movement, and how this work is inherently anti-racist and anti-oppressive. This webinar will cover a brief history of gender, the intersectional, Black Feminist roots of queer theory, and unpack some of the most asked questions about transgender and non-binary identities.
Attendees will walk away with tangible ideas that your organization can implement to create more trans-inclusivity, equity, and belonging, and will understand how these actions can contribute to your overall DEI efforts.
Presenter: Rory Adams, Senior Manager of Adoption Initiatives. PetSmart Charities
(Image via All Are Welcome Here)
WEBSITE LINK: https://learning.theaawa.org/p/1-10-24

Online Course – Starts 1/10/24 – Shelter Dog Behavior Mentorship with Trish McMillan – Shelter Behavior Hub (fee applies)
2024-01-10
Is your shelter struggling to meet the needs of your dog population? Do you feel like your SOP’s aren’t meeting industry standards? Are you facing challenges related to intake, meeting the needs of dogs in your care, or finding appropriate placement? The Shelter Dog Behavior Mentorship is your opportunity to take your shelter’s canine program to the next level. This 13 week deep dive into all things shelter behavior will help you create evidence-based policies and procedures for your shelter behavior department.
This intensive course will cover all aspects of shelter behavior, from intake to post-adoption support. With the help of your peers from all over the world, we will explore science and best practices in building your shelter behavior programming to meet and exceed industry standards, and to give every dog in your care the best shot at a new home. There will be an emphasis on creating written policy and protocols for your department.
WEBSITE LINK: https://trish-s-school-bcb6.thinkific.com/courses/2024A-sdbm-shelter-dog-behavior-mentorship

Online Course - Starts 1/8/24 - Principles of Contemporary Animal Services Certificate Course - Best Friends and Southern Utah University (fee applies)
2024-01-08
The Principles of Contemporary Animal Services certificate course is a great way to develop an understanding of the animal services profession by learning about the field’s history, current state, and future possibilities.
The certificate course is built around contemporary best practices provided by experts and organizations in the field to give you a well-rounded view of the profession. With course content curated by Best Friends Animal Society as well as leading practitioners and researchers in the field, you will have access to a wide range of earned expertise, perspectives, information, and resources.
Choose from two participation options:

POCAS Certification – successful completion earns an SUU Institutional Certificate and one Continuing Education Unit (CEU), $399
POCAS Fast Track – successful completion earns three credits that may articulate into undergraduate or participating master’s degree programs at Southern Utah University, $699

WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends.org/learn/principles-animal-services

Online Course - Starts 1/8/24 - Cat Lifesaving Course - Best Friends and Southern Utah University (fee applies)
2024-01-08
Best Friends Animal Society and Southern Utah University’s Cat Lifesaving Course is designed for anyone who wants to positively impact the lives of cats and kittens in shelters, whether you’re an animal services practitioner, volunteer, or advocate.
During this seven-week, university-endorsed, online course, you’ll learn from experts in the field and explore proven ways to save the lives of cats in animal shelters through adoption, community cat programming, foster programs, strategic intake, shelter medicine, and much more.
Join us as we empower you with the knowledge, tools, strategies, and steps to start making changes immediately, increase lifesaving, and enhance the well-being of cats in your care.
WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends.org/learn/cat-lifesaving

Online Event –1/6/24 – Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshop – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)
2024-01-06 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 after taking a short quiz 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.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/the-neighborhood-cats-tnr-certification-workshop-jan-2024/

Online Event - First Wednesday - The Journey You Own: A Deeper Dive Meeting Series - Maddie's Fund
2024-01-03 10:00 - 10:50
Are you ready to reignite your passion, reclaim your energy, and revolutionize your approach to work? It’s time to break free from the draining cycle of reactive responses and embrace a more dynamic and fulfilling path.
Discover practical strategies to create more space, incorporate contemplative practices into your life, and align personal values with your actions and activities, boosting your productivity while maintaining balance.
In this meeting series, Jyothi V. Robertson, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine) will guide you in exploring the concepts and practices covered in the Maddie’s University® course The Journey You Own: Practices for Wellbeing and Productivity https://maddies.fund/JourneyYouOwnMU
Participants may register once for all sessions and can attend any of the sessions. Each session is 50 minutes. The sessions will be recorded.
Meeting Dates and Times
Sep 6, 2023 10am PT | 12PM CT | 1PM ET
Oct 4, 2023 10am PT | 12PM CT | 1PM ET
Nov 1, 2023 10am PT | 12PM CT | 1PM ET
Dec 6, 2023 10am PT | 12PM CT | 1PM ET
Jan 3, 2024 10am PT | 12PM CT | 1PM ET
WEBSITE LINK: http://maddiesfund-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvcuiqrzwiGdPFkVuHuwEgvV7i3OiO9HLq#/registration

Webinar - 12/21/23 - Ask the Expert! Keeping Tenants & Their Pets Together - Maddie's Fund
2023-12-21 12:00 - 13:00
Join us on Thursday, December 21 at 12n Pacific / 3pm Eastern for a Q& A with housing rights expert Dianne Prado of Housing Advocacy & Equity Resource Team (HEART LA).
Hear about the three most important things you can ask and do to help a person with a pet who is facing housing insecurity or unable to find housing because of their pet. This will be a highly interactive discussion, so bring your questions for Dianne to answer as well as any issues or topics related to pets and housing that you have for her.
Attendees will also

learn the basic eviction process
leave with concrete steps to help a person remain housed with their pet
debunk myths that either scare people into surrendering their pets because of housing insecurity or prevent people from fostering or adopting a pet

REGISTER HERE
This one-hour meeting will be recorded, so register even if you cannot attend live. You’ll be sent the on-demand recording link when it is ready.
It has been pre-approved for 1.0 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credits by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and by the National Animal Care & Control Association.
Maddie’s Fund does not share registration information.
About the presenter
Dianne Prado (pictured above with her dog) is the Founder and President of the Housing Equity & Advocacy Resource Team (HEART LA), a legal non-profit that helps ensure people and their pets remain housed. Dianne is an appointed public member of the CA Veterinary Medical Board, trainer and consultant for the Stay Housed Los Angeles (SHLA) Eviction Defense Program, and Lecturer in Law for UCLA Law School teaching Los Angeles Housing Law and Policy.
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddiesfund-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvdOyoqToqG9YM4YJfE_sdYrvCqEfgCv1I#/

Online Event - 12/21/23 - Hatching Hour - The Art of Deep Listening: Sensing the World Differently - Hatching
2023-12-21 10:00 - 11:00
Discover Your Best Life at Hatching Hour: Meaningful Conversations, Lasting Change! Looking to enrich your life, personally and professionally? Hatching Hour is your community. Our online gatherings serve up expert insights, compelling stories, and actionable wisdom to help you #LiveBetter and #WorkBetter.
Dive deep into transformative mindsets, tap in to your potential, and chart your journey towards a life filled with intention—all for free.
Coming up on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 10am PT/11am MT: We are also excited to announce our next Hatching Hour session The Art of Deep Listening: Sensing the World Differently, featuring special guest, Marilou Chanrasmi, co-founder of Four Winds Canine Connections, whose work spans from indigenous and Asian American communities to tech startups, all rooted in mindfulness and the art of deep listening. You can register for this event, here.
What is Deep Listening? Deep Listening is a way of being and walking in this world with true aliveness and balance. Through the art and practice of deep listening we begin to sense, see and feel the world in a way that invites wholeness, healing and harmony within us, around us and in relationship with each other. We practice listening inwardly, outwardly and between the spaces with deep presence for what is being said, in words, through our bodies, in silence, in vibrations and in energy. We hope you will join us!
Marilou is a certified somatics coach, mindfulness and qigong practitioner and an experienced facilitator of circles. She is a founding member of Deep Listening for Social Change/DLSC a peaceful action group that was formed by members of the Twin Cities BIPOC mindfulness community in response to the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Marilou is a survivor of sexual abuse and partner violence. Her healing journey from her addiction to alcohol and struggles with depression began in 1988 with the unplanned arrival of her first dog into her life. Her best medicine and teacher arrived in the body of an 8 week old black cocker spaniel puppy. She attributes her decades of sobriety to her dogs. Marilou is committed to creating and holding safe and brave spaces where we allow wounded parts of ourselves to be seen, heard and held, and where we can collectively and lovingly support each other and make room for healing, joy and aliveness.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqce6srTorEtKf46R-cLxNK87UM7KnJv0c#/registration
