Shelter Learniverse

Webinar – 9/12/24 – DPFL’s Approach to On-Leash Reactivity – Dogs Playing for Life (fee applies)
2024-09-12 09:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Reactivity on the part of dogs living in shelters is a rampant issue that can contribute to behavioral deterioration, increased length of stay, and even loss of life. From a misdiagnosis of “aggression” to dogs whose reactive behavior escalates to problematic and potentially unsafe levels, learning how to help dogs suffering from reactivity issues is a crucial need shared by our entire industry.
While this webinar can be attended as a standalone course, we will build on our Fancy Footwork approach to handling and training to offer practical training, handling, and safety solutions to on-leash reactivity for dogs living in shelters.
This is a 2-hour presentation followed by a 30 min Q&A session. This webinar costs $20 and you will receive the recording the next day.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xqFMgom-SKucZfHQsGwJIg#/registration

Webinar - 9/12/24 - Maddie’s Insights: Aligning Programs with Community Needs to Support Companion Dog Retention - Maddie's Fund
2024-09-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Join us for a brand-new season of Maddie’s Insights: Practical tips based on current research to help pets and people.
On September 12, 2024 our guest is Seana Dowling-Guyer, MS. She is the Associate Director for the Center for Shelter Dogs at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.
Animal sheltering has evolved to focus on community-based services as much as in-shelter care. The philosophy that animal sheltering begins and ends within the community through various support programs is gaining traction. These programs, ranging from food banks and training classes to veterinary services, aim to support pet guardianship and retention in the home. However, there’s often a mismatch between the programs offered and the actual needs of the community. In this session, Seana will share research on pre-COVID retention programs focused on companion dogs offered by US animal sheltering organizations, highlighting gaps between these programs and community needs. She will outline a strategic decision-making process for selecting community programs to support pets in homes and discuss different program options.
In this session, attendees will:

Learn about common retention programs focused on companion dogs offered by US shelters and identify gaps between available programs and community needs
Become familiar with a strategic decision-making process that can be used when developing and evaluating community programs that support pets in homes

Can’t attend live? Register anyway and you will get a link to the recording.
These webinars have 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. They have also been submitted for approval for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize the Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) approval.
About the Speaker
Seana Dowling-Guyer is the Associate Director of Tufts Collaborative (Center) for Shelter Dogs at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and teaches in the M.S. in Animals and Public Policy program. Seana is interested in the intersection of animal behavior and people’s perceptions of that behavior, particularly how our attitudes and knowledge of animal behavior impact animal welfare and behavior. Her research examines how to improve the welfare of dogs in shelters and support dogs and other companion animals in the home and community. She also investigates trends in animal sheltering. A long-time cat parent, Seana now takes care of four crazy ferrets while her daughter is away at college.
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister

Online Meeting - Mondays - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie - Maddie's Fund
2024-09-16 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-23 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-30 11:00 - 12:00 | 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 $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. If you registered prior to May 2024 or are new to these meetings, please use this link to register:
https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024
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/CommunityConvo2024Registration

Online Event - 1st Tuesdays - All Call - California for All Animals
2024-09-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
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 - 9/16/24 - Northern Tier Shelter Initiative Zoomies: Ideal Age for Spay Neuter in Dogs & Cats - ASPCAPro
2024-09-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
The debate over when to recommend sterilization in pet dogs and cats has been under increased scrutiny over the past 5-10 years. With some veterinary professionals promoting pediatric spay/neuter and others recommending waiting or foregoing sterilization altogether for some breeds, how should we base our decisions and recommendations? This case-based discussion covers the critical evaluation of recent studies on the ideal age for spaying and neutering dogs and cats, specific variables that impact timing considerations, and comparisons of some of the risks and benefits of early spay/neuter surgery.
Takeaways

Identify specific variables that impact the appropriate timing of spay/neuter surgery.
Work through critical evaluations of recent studies on the timing of spay/neuter surgery.
Compare risks and benefits of early age spay/neuter.

Suited For
This session is suited for anyone who is faced with the question of when to spay or neuter.
Credits
This session has been approved for 1hr of RACE credit for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
Presenter: Dr. Lauren Blackwelder, Veterinarian, ASNA Training, ASPCA Spay Neuter Alliance (ASNA)
Dr. Lauren Blackwelder is a Veterinary Training Instructor at the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance (ASNA). After graduating from the University of Florida in 2013, she worked in shelter medicine and high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter (HQHVSN) clinics in Virginia and Florida before joining ASNA in 2021. Dr. Blackwelder is human-animal bond certified and received a graduate certificate in shelter medicine from the University of Florida. Her role in teaching veterinarians and veterinary students efficient surgical skills contributes to improved animal welfare through HQHVSN efforts worldwide. She lives in Asheville, N.C., with her husband, two children, dog, cats, and fish.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.aspcapro.org/training/webinar/northern-tier-shelter-initiative-zoomies-ideal-age-spay-neuter-dogs-cats

Online Event - 9/17/24 - All Call - From Policy to Practice: Addressing Gaps in Emotional Support Animal Documentation for Vulnerable Communities - California for All Animals
2024-09-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Submit your housing-related questions for the 9/16 All Call presenters! HEART LA’s Zaira Bernal (Paralegal) and Diana Cruz (Program Director/Law Clerk) will explore common challenges individuals with disabilities face when seeking the required documentation for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), focusing on the limitations of current policy and real-world hurdles.
About the presentation: The call will begin with a brief overview of the Fair Housing Act (FHA), highlighting its protections and requirements for individuals who rely on ESAs to mitigate their disabilities. The core of the presentation delves into three case studies illustrating common obstacles, including medical professionals’ reluctance due to liability concerns, and the systemic lack of healthcare resources available to low-income and marginalized communities. The discussion will emphasize the sources of resistance, such as misinformation about ESA roles and barriers in healthcare access.
The presentation concludes by offering practical solutions HEART LA has implemented to address these challenges. These include facilitating self-certification for individuals receiving disability benefits in California, partnering with organizations to connect clients with healthcare providers, directly engaging with cautious medical professionals to educate and alleviate concerns, and training caseworkers and other qualified third parties on how to issue ESA documentation. Through this comprehensive approach, the organization aims to expand access to housing for those who need ESAs, creating a path for legal protections to be applied effectively in practice.
Save the date for Part 2 of our conversation with Zaira and Diana! Zaira and Diana will return to the All Call on October 1 for a conversation on addressing landlord resistance to ESA protections. What do you need to know to advance disability justice and help people and pets at risk of eviction stay together in your community? Submit your questions for the presenters.
About the All Call: The All Call is a twice-monthly, California community call for animal well-being professionals that occurs on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday. 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 California for All team members Allison Cardona, Nadia Oseguera, and Ivy Ruiz, and is enriched by rotating facilitators. You only need to register one time. Calls are sometimes recorded; recap emails with supplemental resources are sent post-call.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/all-call

Webinar - 9/17/24 - Past, Present, & Future of Animal Welfare with HASS - HASS
2024-09-17 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Since 2020, the animal welfare industry has faced an increase of challenges unlike ever before. From overfilled kennels and a lack of municipal support to increased needs for mental health support in the workplace—and a decrease in community engagement. What is needed is a fresh, human-services-rooted perspective that rallies municipal and community support with ease. In this webinar, Dr. Ellen Jefferson, President & CEO of Austin Pets Alive!, will present where we’ve been and the future of the animal welfare industry through a new model approach piloted by the HASS community.
WEBSITE LINK: https://bit.ly/3zhiarN

Online Event - 9/17/24 - Let's Prioritize Veterinary Technicians - The Bridge Club
2024-09-17 17:00 - 18:00 | Virtual
In this day and age where most practices face staffing challenges, we are going to put the lens on one of our most valuable resources: Veterinary Technicians. Join us for an important conversation about the challenges faces and proposed solutions. We want to hear from you: What should be prioritized?
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.thebridgeclub.com/events/lets-prioritize-veterinary-technicians

Webinar - 9/17/24 - Providing Vaccines and Other Preventative Care to Shelter Animals the Fear Free Way - Fear Free
2024-09-17 17:00 - 18:00 | Virtual
The shelter experience is unfortunately stressful for many pets. Essential wellness care, such as vaccines, deworming, and parasite prevention, can add to an animal’s fear, anxiety, and stress. By using Fear Free methods, shelter teams can minimize this stress with little to no additional time.Join us September 17, at 8 p.m. ET, with Fear Free Certified® Veterinarian Dr. Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB, as she discusses Fear Free methods for wellness care that can lessen the burden on shelter pets.During this webinar, we will learn:

How to administer vaccines in a way that minimizes fear, anxiety, and stress
How low-volume and orally administered vaccines can lead to a lower-stress experience
How to use desensitization and counterconditioning for patients who don’t accept injections

This webinar is RACE-approved for 1 CE hour and will be recorded.
WEBSITE LINK: https://fearfreellc.webinargeek.com/providing-vaccines-and-other-preventive-care-to-shelter-animals-the-fear-free-way-1

Webinar - 9/17/24 - Collaborative Cat Management Programs - LG, SG, NFP and Landcare Working Together - Getting 2 Zero
2024-09-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
The Keeping Cats Safe at Home project is a four-year behavioural change project being run by RSPCA NSW in conjunction with eleven Councils across NSW, including Weddin Shire. It is funded by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust. The project aims to reduce the impact pet cats have on wildlife and improve domestic cats’ health and safety by encouraging responsible cat ownership. Weddin Landcare worked with the local Council Ranger to apply for the program to help instigate cat management programs in the Weddin Shire. The project began with community consultation, which guided project activities for the Shire. Together, Weddin Shire Council, Weddin Landcare and RSPCA NSW then implemented a free desexing and microchipping program; distributed project messages though communication materials and promotions; delivered educational sessions to local primary schools about the benefits of keeping cats at home; and offered an incentive program for backyard Catnets enclosures to assist cat owners to contain their cat to their property.
The program has been incredibly successful for our small community (population <4,000) with over 300 cats desexed to date, 30 Catnets enclosures distributed to local residents, over 100 primary school children and a significant drop in the number of complaints about cats and unwanted litters being impounded. This incredibly positive project has resulted in a unique partnership between the organisations involved and improved relationships between the local Council Ranger and local residents.
This event will be recorded and the recording will be available the day after the event.
Presenter: Melanie Cooper – Landcare Coordinator, Weddin landcare
Melanie Cooper a part-time Local Landcare Coordinator for Weddin Landcare, based in Grenfell, Central West NSW. With a B. Applied Science (Earth and Land Science), Melanie has been working in the natural resource management realm with rural communities for over twenty years through a variety of technical and community-based roles in both the public and private sector. She is also a farmer, managing a 4,000Ha mixed-farming property with her husband and is a mum to two little girls.
Melanie has been working with Weddin Landcare for the past 4 years and is passionate about working with rural communities, schools and farmers at a grassroots level to restore ecosystem function and biodiversity and improve the health of our natural assets and agricultural products.
Register here – https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aj7TbvN0TyqBTo4aAO3wtg

Webinar – 9/18/24 – Stranger Danger! Advocating for and Advancing Your Human-Reactive Dogs – Dogs Playing for Life (fee applies)
2024-09-18 09:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
At DPFL’s Stranger Danger webinar, you will learn how to work with dogs that are wary of strangers by building their confidence and helping them to develop the skills to meet new people (and potential adopters) happily and successfully! Even for the private dog trainer or dog owner, the skills taught in this webinar will help support your stranger danger dog to expand their comfort level when meeting new people at home!
This webinar will demonstrate:

DPFL’s Assess and Progress approach: fluttering between assessing and influencing behavior to determine how a dog might respond WITHOUT proper human support to determine what training is necessary for successful placement
Comprehensive Tool Selection: determining what tool will best support the dog while keeping the handler and others safe during the learning process
Principles vs. Methods: determining what approach will teach the dog as efficiently and effectively as possible
Creative Proofing: conducting training with the goal of solid generalization of new skills so that dogs are able to work for multiple handlers with clarity and confidence

Come learn how to safely and effectively reach this segment of the canine population through in-depth behavior analysis, dynamic video examples, and practical approaches designed for anyone who is trying to find solutions for the dogs who need this extra human support. This is a 2-hour presentation followed by approximately 30 minutes of Q&A. This webinar is scheduled on EASTERN TIME. Following the webinar, attendees will receive an email with the webinar recording.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_I_zFinz6RWC1IUeSxCY7wA#/registration

Webinar - 9/19/24 - Frustration Elicited Aggression: what is it, how it occurs and how to stop it with Shannon Riley - PPG (fee applies)
2024-09-19 08:30 - 09:30 | Virtual
Frustration Elicited aggression can occur in all animals, including humans. When a learner or teacher gets frustrated, they can begin to act out with aggressive behaviors. This could be a puppy that begins to nip at the person training them, a horse that kicks, a macaw that will bite or a human that hits.
Frustration usually occurs when the learner is not understanding or the teacher/ trainer gets “stuck” and is not sure how to proceed with training.
Since every human and animal is unique, we must look at how the individual is understanding what is expected. A puppy may be confused by what we are trying to teach or the teacher may not know how to “fix” a problem in a way that the learner understands it. Understanding frustration elicited aggression can not only help the learner learn and the teacher teach, it can also help improve the bond between the human and the animal.
Learning Objectives

What is Frustration Elicited Aggression?
What causes it?
Who is affected by it?
Why is it important to understand frustration elicited aggression?
What can be done to prevent it?
How understanding it can help reduce stress in training (for the human and animal)

WEBSITE LINK: https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/webinars-events/webinars/frustration-elicited-aggression-what-is-it-how-it-occurs-and-how-to-stop-it-with-shannon-riley/

Webinar - 9/19/24 - Embracing Proactive and Progressive Practices: Balancing the Letter and Spirit of the Law in Animal Control - NACA/Justice Clearinghouse
2024-09-19 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual
In this engaging presentation, we delve into the nuanced concept of the “Letter of the Law vs Spirit of the Law” as it pertains to animal care and control practices. Addressing a crucial aspect of the profession, we explore the delicate balance between enforcing regulations strictly by their written word and interpreting them with empathy and foresight. By emphasizing proactive and progressive measures over punitive actions, we equip animal control officers with the tools to navigate complex situations effectively.
Drawing on real-life scenarios and case studies, we’ll examine the benefits of approaching enforcement with a holistic understanding of animal welfare and community needs. By fostering compassion-driven interventions, this session empowers officers to make informed decisions that prioritize both legal compliance and the well-being of animals and communities alike, one that honors the spirit of the law while upholding its letter.
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.
This webinar has been pre-approved by the Maine Animal Welfare Program for 1 Continuing Education Unit for the State of Maine’s ACO annual training. You can find more information about Certification, required annual training or submitting materials for credit at Maine’s Animal Control Officer Resource Page.
Presenter:
Spencer Conover has dedicated his life to innovative, servant leadership at some of the top animal welfare organizations across the country including, the Dumb Friends League, Best Friends Animal Society, the Humane Society of Utah, and Pasco County Animal Services. He is passionate about leadership development and surrounding himself with other lifesaving individuals. Spencer has a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in Contemporary Animal Services Leadership and Leadership Studies. He is a certified green belt in lean six sigma process improvement. Spencer has had the pleasure to lead various shelter operations teams including animal control, adoption, intake, customer care, foster care, volunteer, education/outreach, transfer/rescue, and animal behavior. He is an animal control officer, CPR, and humane euthanasia certified with training in dangerous/fractious animal handling. Spencer has a passion for shelter operation, statistics, data-driven decision-making, and innovative, life-saving community-based programs.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/embracing-proactive-and-progressive-practices-balancing-the-letter-and-spirit-of-the-law-in-animal-control/

Webinar - 9/21/24 - Return-to-Field: Saving the Lives of Community Cats - Community Cats Podcast
2024-09-21 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
It used to be that a feral cat had little chance of exiting a shelter alive after he entered. But that’s no longer the case. In recent years, more and more shelters have adopted Return-to-Field (RTF) programs. Instead of euthanizing healthy community cats (whether feral, friendly or otherwise), the shelter will spay or neuter, eartip and vaccinate, then return the cat back to where he was found. We’ll cover the policies behind RTF, the mechanics of implementing the program, current controversies over the RTF of friendly cats, and how to combine RTF with TNR in general to lower cat populations and create sustainability.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/return-to-field-saving-the-lives-of-community-cats-presented-by-neighborhood-cats-sept-2024/

Online Certificate Program – Starts 9/23/24 – Animal Shelter Management Certificate Program – Leadership – Humane Network/UoP (fee applies)
2024-09-23 | 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 Workshop - 9/23/24 - Leadership Accelerator: Effective Strategies to Make DEI Stick - The AAWA
2024-09-23 10:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
A four-hour accelerated workshop for leaders working towards an equitable and just profession.
In this executive level leadership online workshop, you will work together as a cohort of committed leaders. You will engage in self-reflection, create a roadmap for making DEI a strategic goal in your organization, and identify the core skills leaders need to model.
Workshop Objectives:

Define concepts of DEI and impact on animal welfare
Examine our DEI Journey Maps and share with others
Practice calling in conversations and how to foster open communication
Strategize new ways to incorporate DEI practices throughout your organization
Craft a 90-day action plan for the top three things you can do that would advance DEI in your organization

While we recognize the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion from multiple levels of an organization, this course is specifically designed to support leaders, including executives, C-level staff, directors of municipal animal services, and board members.
Presenters:
– Jasmin M. Robinson, Director of DEI Initiatives, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
– Maria Morukian, Founder & President, MSM Global Consulting
WEBSITE LINK: https://learning.theaawa.org/p/9-23-24

Online Course – Starts 9/24/24 – Canine Social Behavior – IAABC (fee applies)
2024-09-24 | Virtual
This course will teach you about canine communication, play, greetings, conflict resolution behaviors, and puppy social development. Dig into the science of canine social behavior, with an emphasis on dog-to-dog social interactions. Veterinarians, behavior consultants, trainers, groomers, kennel staff, shelter workers, day care staff, pet sitters, dog walkers, and keen guardians will all benefit from this course.
This course will help you:

Explain the importance of social relationships between dogs from a scientific perspective
Accurately interpret body language in dogs and understand how body language is linked to emotional states and communication
Describe and understand the stages of puppy development and how development can affect adult behaviors, including the development of problem behaviors
Recognize and interpret play and greeting behaviors in dogs
Describe the functions of conflict and reconciliation behaviors in dogs

Course Begins: September 24, 2024
Duration: 5 weeks
Instructor: Camille Ward, PhD, CAAB
Course type: Instructed Course
** IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WEEKLY ONLINE MEETINGS **

Auditors do not attend online meetings
Meetings are not recorded
Meetings take place on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm Eastern (first meeting October 1st)
Meetings are 1 hour in duration
There are 5 meetings for this course

WEBSITE LINK: https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/canine-social-behavior/

Webinar - 9/25/24 - For Dog's sake, can you stop that? Canine-Friendly Body Language Improvements for Humans - Dogs Playing for Life (fee applies)
2024-09-25 09:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
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 30 min Q&A session. This webinar costs $20 and you will receive the recording the next day.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4bcg2hn4TGGXti0SZvCoCw#/registration

Webinar - 9/25/24 - The Future of Post-Adoption Support - University of Florida Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program
2024-09-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Are you an animal welfare professional looking to enhance your organization’s post-adoption support? Could your return rates for adoptions decrease if your adopters could get real-time answers to the most common settling-in issues for a new pet?
Petszel can lighten this load for you. Join us for a webinar to explore how Petszel can help your organization make more adoptions stick and see examples from other shelters that are using this app.
Date: September 25, 2024, 1:00 pm ET
Title: The Future of Post-Adoption Support
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NqcIQaHWTA2wvA_vY2Angw
This new app developed by shelter directors and veterinarians works with your existing software to trickle tailored content delivered at the right time to new adopters. Automated post-adoption engagement and adopter check-in surveys delivered to your inbox let you know if issues are developing, giving your team time to help before a return occurs.
Petszel is free for shelters and rescues. Direct connection to PetPoint, Shelterluv, and ShelterBuddy (Chameleon coming soon!) reduces staff time and can even transfer medical records to the pet’s new veterinarian to improve continuity of care.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NqcIQaHWTA2wvA_vY2Angw

Webinar - 9/26/24 - From Horror to Hope: An Anti-Puppy Mill Advocate’s Eye-Opening Journey Inside of USDA Kennels - Life of Riley at Spring Point
2024-09-26 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Speakers:

Mindi Callison, Founder and Executive Director of Bailing out Benji
Alexis Bell, Research Analyst Bailing out Benji

Mindi and Alexis have devoted their lives to ending puppy mill cruelty and Bailing Out Benji is widely known as a powerful and tireless advocate for the dogs on these facilities. Through their examination of inspection records and images from licensed dog breeding facilities, they have uncovered and exposed cruelty and played critical roles in shutting down bad facilities and passing animal protection legislation. Earlier this year, members of Bailing Out Benji were given intimate access inside USDA kennels in the Midwest: they were allowed to see every inch of these facilities, touch everything (including dogs!) and had all their questions answered by the kennel owners.
Join Mindi and Alexis for a conversation about their experience and hear why animal advocates can be hopeful about changes that are happening within the industry.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvdO-qqTwsE9cLZ_pIAXRc8lpwnlI00ijf#/registration

Webinar - 9/26/24 - Shelter Behavior Roundtable: Tracking Behavioral Observations in Shelter Animals - ASPCAPro
2024-09-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Join us for an insightful session that will help you enhance your organization’s methods for collecting and utilizing behavioral observations in shelter animals. Our expert panelists will examine a mock behavioral communications flowchart and share valuable, practical tips to help you evaluate your shelter’s behavioral communication processes. You’ll walk away knowing how to implement small changes that can significantly improve the behavioral health of shelter animals.
Takeaways

Learn tips and tools for assessing your current system
Understand the important role of integrated care in behavioral health

Suited For
This webinar is best suited for animal behavior professionals, shelter professionals, and shelter volunteers.
Credits
This webinar has been submitted for CCPDT credit and is pending approval.
Presenters
Elise Gingrich DVM, MPH, MS, DACVPM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice), Senior Director, Shelter Medicine Shelter Services, ASPCA
K.C. Thompson, Shelter Operations Manager, Humane Society of Charlotte
Katie Donohue, Associate Director of Behavior Services – Adoption Centers CBCC-KA
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.aspcapro.org/training/webinar/shelter-behavior-roundtable-tracking-behavioral-observations-shelter-animals

Webinar - 9/27/24 - Bridging the Gap: How VPAs Can Revolutionize Veterinary Care - United Spay Alliance
2024-09-27 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Are you ready to learn about a game-changing opportunity in veterinary care?
Join us for a FREE webinar, “Bridging the Gap: How VPAs Can Revolutionize Veterinary Care,” featuring expert Dr. Bob Murtaugh, where we’ll dive into the exciting push for the Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) position. This new role is set to enhance and support the veterinary profession, offering solutions to both current and future challenges.
In this session, you will:

Discover how the VPA role addresses veterinary provider needs.
Learn how practitioners can promote growth and improve access to care.
Gain practical insights on how YOU can help bring this role to life.

This webinar is designed with you in mind—whether you’re a veterinary professional, animal lover, or simply curious about the future of veterinary care. The entire session will be Q&A format, allowing you to engage directly with Dr. Murtaugh and ask your most pressing questions throughout the discussion.
📅 Date & Time: Friday, September 27th from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET
📍 Location: Online
🎟️ Cost: FREE!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to shape the future of veterinary care! Reserve your spot now and be part of this exciting discussion. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@unitedspayalliance.org
REGISTER TODAY: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5968507998059028570

Online Event - Fourth Thursdays - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection - Maddie's Fund
2024-09-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
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 Certificate Program – Starts 9/30/24 – Animal Shelter Behavioral Management Certificate Program – Humane Network/UoP (fee applies)
2024-09-30 | Virtual
The shelter environment is a very stressful place that affects the psychological well-being of the animals. Comprehensive behavior programs are essential to keep the animals behaviorally and emotionally healthy during their stay. This eight-week course will give you the knowledge and skills to develop an effective behavior program aimed at improving the welfare of the animals in your care.
09/30/2024 – 11/24/2024 – Now available for registration.
Who will benefit from this program?

Anyone currently affiliated with an animal shelter or rescue organization who wants to learn more about animal behavior as it relates to the shelter/foster environment.
Anyone who wants to improve the emotional wellbeing of the animals in your care.
Anyone seeking a behavior specialist position with an animal shelter or rescue organization.

What You Will Learn

Gain knowledge on how to read dog and cat animal body language and signaling
Learn techniques for safe, humane handling of the animals
Understand how the shelter environment effects the emotional wellbeing of the animals and how to use stress reduction techniques to improve welfare
Gain knowledge on how to keep the animals physically, mentally, and socially stimulated through shelter-wide enrichment programs
Understand the value of effective canine and feline behavior assessments
Obtain the knowledge and skills needed to implement training and behavior modification techniques to improve the behavior and emotional state of the shelter animals
Obtain skills needed to ensure quality customer service for adoption counseling and follow-up.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs): 4.8 CEUs
Course Code: UNSM 050
Course Price: $399
WEBSITE LINK: https://uc.pacific.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=2133958

Online Event - 10/1/24 - All Call: Power and Pushback: Addressing Landlord Resistance to Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Protections - California for All Animals
2024-10-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Register for Part 2 of our conversation on addressing gaps in Emotional Support Animal (ESA) documentation and protection for vulnerable communities!
HEART LA’s Zaira Bernal (Paralegal) and Diana Cruz (Program Director/Law Clerk) will return to the All Call on October 1 for a conversation on addressing landlord resistance to ESA protections. What do you need to know to advance disability justice and help people and pets at risk of eviction stay together in your community? Submit your questions for the presenters.
About the 10/1 Call:
In this follow-up presentation, we shift the focus from individual barriers to the systemic challenges presented by landlords, particularly small property owners, in ensuring the legal protections afforded to tenants with Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). Despite clear state and federal laws, landlords often disregard these protections, leading to ongoing harassment, pushback, and, in some cases, the denial of rightful accommodations for individuals with disabilities. This presentation will explore how tenants frequently report resistance from landlords even after informing them of their rights, highlighting the critical role larger organizations play in advocating on their behalf.
The presentation will conclude by offering strategies for intervention that our organization has found effective. These include drafting reasonable accommodation requests on behalf of our clients, involving governmental agencies like the Los Angeles Housing Department and the California Department of Disabilities, and partnering with animal welfare organizations to identify solutions that benefit all parties. By acknowledging landlords as actors in the housing ecosystem and uplifting tenant power, this presentation aims to foster a more equitable approach to ESA-related housing issues, ensuring that legal protections are upheld for vulnerable individuals in our community.
Watch the Part 1 recording. At the 9/17 All Call, Zaira and Diana explored common challenges individuals with disabilities face when seeking the required documentation for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), focusing on the limitations of current policy and real-world hurdles. They also offered practical solutions HEART LA has implemented to address these challenges. These include facilitating self-certification for individuals receiving disability benefits in California, partnering with organizations to connect clients with healthcare providers, directly engaging with cautious medical professionals to educate and alleviate concerns, and training caseworkers and other qualified third parties on how to issue ESA documentation.
The All Call is a twice-monthly, California community call for animal well-being professionals that occurs on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday. 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 California for All team members Allison Cardona, Nadia Oseguera, and Ivy Ruiz, and is enriched by rotating facilitators. You only need to register one time. Calls are sometimes recorded; recap emails with supplemental resources are sent post-call.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/all-call

Online Event - 10/3/24 - Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection: Foster Volunteer Retention - Identifying Practices That Support Healthy and Satisfied Volunteers - Maddie's Fund
2024-10-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Foster volunteers are critical to the success of shelters and rescues and to the welfare of the animals in their care. Given the required investment in recruiting and training volunteers, it is critical that their experience is emotionally satisfying and encourages their continued participation. This presentation, based on surveys of over 900 foster volunteers, identifies the factors related to volunteer satisfaction and their intention to continue providing foster care. It examines the emotional needs of volunteers, the types of support that they would most like to see provided by their organizations, and the shelter and rescue practices that lead to greater satisfaction among foster care volunteers.
Guest Speaker: Dr. Laura Reese, Professor, Departments of Urban and Regional Planning, Global Urban Studies, and Political Science, Michigan State University
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 – 10/3/24 – Live from the Ranch: A New Approach to Loose-Leash Walking with Kiki Yablon and Ken Ramirez – Karen Pryor Academy
2024-10-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
On the Live From The Ranch, Kiki Yablon will join Ken Ramirez to discuss a new approach to loose-leash walking. Rather than just walking by your side, in this method, a dog and a person move through space together, almost like they were off-leash, interacting with each other and the world in ways both parties find enriching.
WEBSITE LINK: https://theranch.clickertraining.com/live/#next

Hybrid Conference - 10/4/24 to 10/6/24 - The Gathering III: CARE Conference 2024 - CARE (fee applies)
2024-10-04 - 2024-10-06 | Loews Hotel Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
The Gathering is CARE’s 3rd annual conference which highlights the wisdom of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) people working in partnership with Human and Animal organizations and Proximate Leaders. This unique event is deeply rooted in Community Wisdom.
We will be opening our invitation to 250 Attendees including veterinary students, animal welfare professionals, donors and community members advocating for Human well-being and Animal Care.
This year’s Gathering will focus on recognizing the gifts we have as individuals, prioritizing relationship building, and partnering together to bring about systemic change.
Love in Action. Love is a Verb.
WEBSITE LINK: https://careawo.org/thegathering/
