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  • This Thursday (8/13/20): Support for Kittens in the Field

    This Thursday (8/13/20): Support for Kittens in the Field

    This week the Million Cat challenge is stepping up with some heavy hitters– Dr. Julie Levy, Fran Marino Professor of Shelter Medicine Education at the University of Florida, co-founder of the Million Cat Challenge and founder of Operation Catnip; Kristen Hassen-Auerbach, Director at Pima Animal Care Center, Board of Directors of the National Animal Care and Control Association, Executive Committee for American Pets Alive! and Human Animal Support Services; Nick Lippincott, Special Programs and Training Programs Coordinator, Orange County Animal Services (Orlando, Florida) Board member, National Animal Care & Control Association; Dr. Heather Kennedy, Director of Feline Operations at KC Project– to present the second webinar in the five-part kitten management webinar series: Supporting Kittens in the Field. The webinar is 90 minutes long with about 60 minutes dedicated to presentations and panel interviews and an additional 30 minutes reserved for Q&A.

    Here are the details: Supporting kittens and their families starts before they show up on your intake counter. Find out what field officers, volunteers and fosters are doing to give kittens the best chance of survival while streamlining operations and expanding safety nets outside shelter walls.

    What will I learn? This is the second webinar in a five part series covering all things kitten management. In this episode we’ll:

    • Identify ways you might be sabotaging your own goals by swimming upstream. 
    • Access your shelter’s opportunity to leverage ACOs, Field Officers and/or volunteers to better serve kittens outside your walls and ensure resources for the ones inside your shelter. 
    • Activate your community to achieve your kitten goals. 
    • Increase your kitten LRR, decrease your kitten budget. 
    • HYPER unify your messaging and alleviate the burden on your frontline staff. 
    • Learn two software tools that allow you to “set it and forget it”

    What did I miss? Each of these webinars is designed to be stand alone, but together they make up a series that starts at intake decisions and ends at positive outcomes and adoption. To catch what you missed last week, please visit: Million Cat Challenge: Kitten Intake in Animal Shelters

    Join us on Thursday, August 13 at 12n Pacific / 3pm Eastern for a 60-minute presentation and plenty of time for Q&A with Million Cat Challenge co-founder Dr. Julie Levy.

    REGISTER NOW

  • Online Workshop – 9/12/20 and 9/13/20 – The Power of Choice And How It Can Decrease Stress in Dogs – Loose Leash Academy (fee applies)

    Online Workshop – 9/12/20 and 9/13/20 – The Power of Choice And How It Can Decrease Stress in Dogs – Loose Leash Academy (fee applies)

    • Do you work with dogs who have big behavior issues and are stressed to the max?
    • Do you want to learn more about how giving dogs choices can help decrease their stress and improve behavior?
    • Do you want to add more to your toolbox for assessing and modifying behavior in stressed dogs?

    REGISTER HERE

    Trailer Video:

    Join Irith Bloom (CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CSAT, KPA CTP, VSPDT, CBATI, TAGteacher, VSDTA Faculty, DWA Faculty) and Kristina Spaulding (PhD, CAAB) for two days of interactive learning with working spots for 6 dogs. Irith and Kristina will present on the power of giving dogs choices and how it can decrease dogs’ stress and modify their behavior in a positive way. This workshop will help you hone your assessment and training/behavior plan development skills so you can work more successfully with dogs who are stressed out and have behavior issues. In addition, as a token of our appreciation, each participant will receive a small enrichment kit. Of note, they will only be mailed to addresses in the continental US. For registrations placed after August 31, 2020, the enrichment kit will arrive after the seminar.

     This workshop is open to trainers, behavior consultants, veterinarians, shelter staff, and anyone else interested in learning more about the power of choice and how it can help decrease stress and improve behavior.

    WHEN:

    September 12th and 13th, 2020

    WHERE:

    ONLINE – Via Live Stream

    TIMES:

    9 am to 5 pm US Eastern Time

    CEU’S:

    CEU’s:  CCPDT: CBCC: 16; CPDT-KA/KSA Knowledge: 16.00; NOTE: CBCC hours count toward CPDT- KA/KSA Knowledge requirements.

    IAABC: 14 CEU’s

    RACE: 16 CE

    TUITION: 

    • Early Bird Discounts until July 12, 2020

      • Individual – $250

      • Group Rate for 4 or more registering and paying at the same time – $225

      • Working Spot – $275 (There are 6 total working spots.) Contact Joann@thelooseleashacademy.com to see if your dog is a good fit for a working spot.

    • Registration after July 12, 2020

      • Individual – $275

      • Group Rate for 4 or more registering and paying at the same time – $250

      • Working Spot – $299 (There are 6 total working spots.)

    In this workshop the following topics will be covered:

    What is stress?

                Definitions and function

                Physiology of stress

    Why is chronic stress bad?

                Effects on health, learning/memory, and behavior

    Research on stress

    How can we reduce stress?

    Stress during development

    Control (or the lack thereof)

                Adding choice to daily life

    Improving coping mechanisms

    Enrichment

    Cooperation from the animal learner

                Training

                Petting

                Husbandry

                Walks

                “Room of one’s own”

    Why don’t we already do this?

                Human need for control

                Lack of understanding/cultural fog

                Delayed reinforcement (for human)

    Teaching animals to make better (by human standards) choices

                The matching law and why it matters

                Foundation skills for a choice-rich life

                Setting up the environment for success

    THE SCHEDULE – SUBJECT TO CHANGE

    DAY ONE

     Lecture: What is stress?

                Definitions and function

                Physiology of stress

     Activity: How do you and your dog react to stress?

     MORNING BREAK

     Lecture: Why is chronic stress bad?

                Effects on health, learning/memory, and behavior

    Research on stress

     Activity: Evaluate your dog’s chronic stress load

    LUNCH BREAK

     Lecture: How can we reduce stress?

    Stress during development

    Control (or the lack thereof)

    Control as a mediator of stress

     Activity: Giving your dog more control

     BREAK

     Lecture: Adding choice to daily life

    Improving coping mechanisms

    Enrichment

    Activity: Evaluating enrichment options

     END OF DAY

    DAY TWO:

     Lecture: Cooperation from the animal learner

                Training

                Petting

                Husbandry

                Walks

    “Room of one’s own”

     Activity: Choose what you want to

     BREAK

     Lecture: Why don’t we already give animals more choices?

                Human need for control

                Lack of understanding/cultural fog

                Delayed reinforcement (for human)

     Activity: Evaluate your own need for control

     LUNCH BREAK

     Lecture: Teaching animals to make better (by human standards) choices

                The matching law and why it matters

                Research on sub-optimal choice making

                Cognitive bias in non-human animals

     Activity: Matching law activity

    BREAK

    Lecture: Foundation skills for a choice-rich life

                Setting up the environment for success

     Activity: Foundation skill related activity

     NOTE: There are only 6 working spots available, so make sure to secure your spot early!

    Contact Joann@thelooseleashacademy.com to see if your dog is a good fit for a working spot.

    Speaker Bios

    IRITH BLOOM, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CSAT, KPA CTP, VSPDT, CBATI, VSDTA FACULTY, DWA FACULTY

    Irith Bloom is the owner of The Sophisticated Dog, a pet training company based in Los Angeles. She has been training animals since the 1980s and has worked with everything from chickens and rabbits to dogs and horses—not to mention humans. A biologist by training, Irith is fascinated by the science of learning and presents at conferences and seminars worldwide. Her writing has been published both online and in print. She is on the board of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and Chair Emeritus of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT).

    In addition to her Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge & Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA) and Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA) certifications, Irith is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC); a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT); a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP); a Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer (VSPDT); a Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor (CBATI); and certified in TAGteach, a positive-reinforcement method for teaching humans. She is on the faculty at Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior as well as DogBiz’s Dog Walking Academy.

    Irith has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. Her company, The Sophisticated Dog, LLC, offers online virtual training to clients worldwide, as well as in-person training in a limited area of Los Angeles, California.  Irith volunteers with National English Shepherd Rescue; the Los Angeles County 2020 Healthy Pets Healthy Families Coalition (a One Health initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of people and their pets throughout Los Angeles County); and Wallis Annenberg PetSpace

      

    KRISTINA SPAULDING, PHD, CAAB

    Dr. Kristina Spaulding owns Smart Dog Training and Behavior LLC. She has a PhD in biopsychology – the study of the biological basis of behavior – and is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist through the Animal Behavior Society.  Kristina has been in the dog training and behavior profession for 20 years.

     In addition to working with behavior clients, Dr. Spaulding teaches a variety of online courses and webinars on the science of behavior.  She conducts staff training on dog behavior for local veterinary clinics and animal shelters, and regularly presents on the science of animal behavior at training and behavior conferences.

    In addition, Dr. Spaulding is a member of the APDT Education Committee.  As a member of this group, she helps the APDT develop and evaluate their educational resources.  In 2019, Dr. Spaulding received the Association of Professional Dog Trainer’s (APDT’s) Member of the Year Award.  She is also a member of the Fear Free Advisory Group and an authorized Speaker for Fear Free which advocates for minimizing fear, anxiety and stress for pets around the country.  She chairs the Quality of Care task force for Meeting of the Minds, a coalition of top dog professionals across the country charged with improving quality of life for our dogs.

     Before opening Smart Dog, Dr. Spaulding earned her B.S. in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. In college, she volunteered for a year at the local humane society. She was then hired by the same shelter. During her time at the animal shelter, she and a coworker established a training program for shelter dogs and their volunteer walkers to make the dogs more adoptable. She also served as an assistant trainer at Dog’s Best Friend, which was owned at that time by Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Dr. Patricia McConnell. In 2000, Dr. Spaulding moved to Minnesota where she worked as a dog trainer at a local dog training school before moving to her permanent home in upstate New York.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://thelooseleashacademy.com/seminars-list/power-of-choice

  • Webinar – 8/18/20 – Can Dogs Have ADHD? A Look at Recent Research on Impulsivity, Hyperactivity and Inattention in Dogs – Dr. Kristina Spaulding – Pet Professionals Guild (fee applies)

    Webinar – 8/18/20 – Can Dogs Have ADHD? A Look at Recent Research on Impulsivity, Hyperactivity and Inattention in Dogs – Dr. Kristina Spaulding – Pet Professionals Guild (fee applies)

    CEUs: PPAB 1, CCPDT (pending), KPA (pending), IAABC (pending)

    As professionals, we often attribute hyperactive and impulsive behavior to age and lack of exercise, training, and/or enrichment. But is it possible that something else is going on in some dogs? Owners often joke that their dogs have ADHD. Could this be true? What do we actually know about inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in dogs? How can you use this information to more effectively address these behaviors in dogs?

    This webinar will look at this issue by focusing on a recent research paper on this topic, but we will also discuss the findings of other, similar studies.

    Learning Objectives:

    • Explain what ADHD-like behaviors are and why that term is used
    • Define impulsivity and describe how it’s measured
    • Summarize the research on ADHD-like behavior in dogs
    • Explain how we can use this research when working with dogs

    About The Presenter

    Dr. Kristina Spaulding

    Dr. Spaulding has a PhD in biopsychology – the study of the biological basis of behavior – and is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist through the Animal Behavior Society. She specializes in stress and behavior, social cognition and emotion, positive welfare and the prevention and treatment of behavior problems in dogs. In addition to her academic background, she has been in the dog training and behavior profession for 19 years. She currently splits her time between private behavior work and teaching other dog trainers and behavior consultants online and through seminars and conferences.

    In addition, Dr. Spaulding is a long-standing member of the APDT Education Committee. She is also a member of the Fear Free Advisory Group and an authorized Speaker for Fear Free. She also chairs a task force for Meeting of the Minds, a coalition of top dog professionals across the country charged with improving the quality of life for our dogs and is a member of the IAABC Foundation Board. You can find out more about her on her website. (http://smartdogtrainingandbehavior.com/online-services/)

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://petprofessionalguild.com/event-3815663

  • Webinar – 8/20/20 – Jessica Hekman, PhD, DVM – The Genetics of Personality – FDSA (fee applies)

    Webinar – 8/20/20 – Jessica Hekman, PhD, DVM – The Genetics of Personality – FDSA (fee applies)

    Date: Thursday, August 20, 2020
    Time: 3pm Pacific Time (Click here for time at FDSA (Pacific Time).
    Fee: $19.95 – Registration required PRIOR to scheduled presentation time.

    What do (and don’t) we know about how genetics affects canine personality? In this webinar, Jessica Hekman will take a deep dive into her own area of research – how genetics affects personality in dogs.

    How much of canine personality is due to genetics and how much to environment? How do researchers track down genes related to personality? Have any such genes yet been found? Can we expect a genetic test for dog reactivity any time soon?

    In this webinar, Jessica will particularly address examples from human literature about traits that are similar to reactivity in dogs, and will discuss the difficulties inherent in studying traits like drive and environmental versus handler focus, as well as possible solutions to those problems. As always, there will be something for everyone, so come listen and ask questions, whether you are just starting to wrap your head around genetics or whether you’re a confirmed science geek!

    Watch the Trailer:

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/self-study/webinars

  • VIN Rounds – 8/13/20 – Anesthesia for Patients with Comorbidities – VIN (for VIN members)

    VIN Rounds – 8/13/20 – Anesthesia for Patients with Comorbidities – VIN (for VIN members)

    In this rounds…

    A discussion about anesthesia for patients with liver, kidney, and heart disease and brachycephalic airway syndrome.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://beta.vin.com/members/rounds

  • Webinar – 8/12/20 – How to Engage Donors with Personal Video Messages – Network for Good

    Webinar – 8/12/20 – How to Engage Donors with Personal Video Messages – Network for Good

    In today’s digital world, traditional channels of communication are not enough to truly engage your donors.
    In this webinar, we’ll show you exactly how to break through the communication clutter using video to truly engage your donors and keep you on the top of their minds. With personal video messages you can:
    • Update donors on your recent programs’ success
    • Thank a donor for their donation
    • Introduce the members of your organization
    • Announce a new fundraising campaign
    • And so much more!
    Join Network for Good’s Customer Marketing Manager, Liz Ragland, and Network for Good customer Mercedes N. Kirkland-Doyle, founder and Executive Director of The Good News Community, as they walk through customer video examples and how you can use video yourself to wow your donors. 
    Mercedes N. Kirkland-Doyle
    Founder and Executive Director
    The Good News Community Kitchen (TGNCK)
    In 2015, Mercedes established The Good News Community Kitchen (TGNCK), a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization, which was established to rebuild and strengthen communities by fighting hunger one meal at a time in northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. With a focus on assisting those in transition, disabled Veterans, the unsheltered homeless, and school-aged children, she developed a four-point program to answer the needs within the local area: Mobile Meals, Hygiene Heroes, Trends to Transition, and Warm Winters. Under her leadership, the organization has grown at an aggressive rate, been featured on The Rachael Ray Show, established community partnerships and won numerous community service awards.
    Liz Ragland
    Customer Marketing Manager
    Network for Good
    Liz Ragland is the Customer Marketing Manager at Network for Good. Prior to joining Network for Good, Liz worked in communications, marketing, and development serving nonprofits in the arts, advocacy, and association spaces in Seattle, Oklahoma City, and Washington, DC.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://learn.networkforgood.com/20200812-webinar-personal-video-messages.html

  • Webinar – 8/12/20 – The Big Secret: Motion Sickness and Travel Anxiety Unveiled – VetGirl – Zoetis

    Webinar – 8/12/20 – The Big Secret: Motion Sickness and Travel Anxiety Unveiled – VetGirl – Zoetis

    Drooling, panting, and more panting…

    Is it motion sickness? Travel anxiety? Or excitement?

    In this complimentary VETgirl–Zoetis webinar, Dr. Lisa Radosta, DACVB and Amy Newfield CVT, VTS (ECC) review motion sickness and travel anxiety in dogs. In this webinar, learn how to recognize dogs with motion sickness and/or travel anxiety, and learn quick fixes, easy tips and long-term treatment. Learn how to also have effective conversations with pet owners about motion sickness, and why you need to treat it!

    Thanks to sponsorship from Zoetis Petcare, this webinar is free to all!

    Not a VETgirl ELITE member? VETgirl ELITE members receive 100+ hours of RACE-approved, online veterinary CE/year ($249). That way, you know that you have flexibility to view any of our webinars (including small animal, large animal, veterinary technician, leadership, and listen to our podcasts when you have time.

    All the webinars are recorded and can be viewed 24/7 after their release date for CE credit. If you’re watching the recording later on, don’t forget to take the CE quiz with it when you’re done to get your CE certificate! Don’t see the quiz? Please check our our HELP CENTER for answers for important information, specific quiz information here!

    *Note: Viewing this webinar is for individual use only; VETgirl webinars are not designed nor meant to be viewed in a group setting due to RACE-CE audit purposes. Inappropriate sharing or viewing of the webinar may result in revoking of membership.

    RACE-CE provider name: VETgirl, LLC
    RACE Provider number: 785
    RACE Program number: 42399/42400

    This program has been approved for continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call VETgirl (858.859.1838) for further questions.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://vetgirlontherun.com/webinars/august-12-2020-the-big-secret-motion-sickness-and-travel-anxiety-unveiled/

  • Webinar – 8/11/20 – Taming Anxiety: Bio-Hacks to Reduce Overwhelm in an Overwhelming Time – VetGirl

    Webinar – 8/11/20 – Taming Anxiety: Bio-Hacks to Reduce Overwhelm in an Overwhelming Time – VetGirl

    In this complimentary VETgirl veterinary continuing education YouTube LIVE event, Jeannine Moga, MA, MSW, LCSW, licensed social worker and Chief Happiness Officer of VETgirl, will explore the challenges veterinary professionals face on a daily basis, notably anxiety. We’ll investigate bio-hacks and learn how to reduce overwhelm in an overwhelming time. If you find yourself, your veterinary colleagues, veterinary technicians, CSR, veterinarians and practice managers stressed out by curbside veterinary medicine, handling COVID-19, having to homeschool your children, and work during busy times right now, tune in for this free 30-minute session.

    As an FYI, this event is free but will not have any continuing education credit associated with it for the LIVE event. PASSIVE CE will be available for ELITE members once it is RACE-approved for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

    Tune in to this VETgirl YouTube LIVE event to get real life help!

    NOTE: To attend this YouTube LIVE session, there is no “registration.” To attend, simply go to our YouTube Page at the time of the event where the webinar will be hosted, LIVE! Clicking on the link above will allow you to also set a reminder!

    Not a VETgirl ELITE member? VETgirl ELITE members receive 100+ hours of RACE-approved, online veterinary CE/year ($249). That way, you know that you have flexibility to view any of our webinars (including small animal, large animal, veterinary technician, leadership, and listen to our podcasts when you have time.

    The LIVE event is NOT RACE-Approved. This YouTube LIVE webinar is PENDING RACE-approval for VETgirl members only. The VETgirl team is providing this important information FREE to the veterinary community to help in these challenging and stressful times.

    *Note: Viewing this webinar is for individual use only; VETgirl webinars are not designed nor meant to be viewed in a group setting due to RACE-CE audit purposes. Inappropriate sharing or viewing of the webinar may result in revoking of membership.

    RACE-CE provider name: VETgirl, LLC
    RACE Program number: 785-PENDING

    This program is PENDING RACE-Approval for continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call VETgirl (858.859.1838) for further questions.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://vetgirlontherun.com/webinars/august-11-2020-youtube-live-taming-anxiety-bio-hacks-to-reduce-overwhelm-in-an-overwhelming-time/

  • Webinar – 8/19/20 – Puppy Training During COVID-19 – AKC

    Webinar – 8/19/20 – Puppy Training During COVID-19 – AKC

    Join AKC GoodDog! Helpline trainers for a webinar on at-home puppy training tips and advice during quarantine. This webinar will include a discussion with Penny Leigh, a Certified Trainer with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and GoodDog! Helpline program lead. Penny will answer some of the top training questions she has been receiving during COVID-19. The webinar will then open up to a brief Q&A session.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/278698018790235152

  • Online Event – 8/13/20 – Ken Ramirez and Mara Velez – On the Value of Play in Shelters and Successful Dog-Dog Introductoins – Karen Pryor Academy

    Online Event – 8/13/20 – Ken Ramirez and Mara Velez – On the Value of Play in Shelters and Successful Dog-Dog Introductoins – Karen Pryor Academy

    LIVE FROM THE RANCH

    Join Ken Ramirez, KPCT’s Chief Training Officer, for a free hour-long virtual event live from The Ranch on Thursday, August 13 at 12:00 pm (PT). Ken will be joined by Mara Velez, Executive Director of the Shelter Playgroup Alliance, to talk about the value of play in shelters and how to make dog introductions more successful.
    Ken Ramirez 

    Ken is the EVP and Chief Training Officer at Karen Pryor Clicker Training, co-leading the company with Aaron Clayton. Ken oversees the vision for, and development of, training education programs. You will usually find Ken teaching at a ClickerExpo conference, leading a course at the Karen Pryor National Training Center (The Ranch), or teaching one of the Karen Pryor Academy courses.A 40+ year veteran of animal care and training, Ken is a biologist and behaviorist who has supervised the development care and training of more than 40,000 species. He has worked with organizations across the globe to improve animal training, program effectiveness, and animal health and welfare. Ken’s diverse body of contributions includes designing and implementing conservation projects for elephant protection and spearheading projects to train everything from komodo dragons to butterflies. Ken’s extensive canine work includes working with trainers, organizations, and federal and state agencies on training procedures for topics including aggression, search-and-rescue, and scent detection.

    Ken has written/edited two successful books, taught at a major university, hosted two successful seasons of the television series Talk to the Animals, and was EVP of animal care and training at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. When he’s not doing cool stuff with animals and people, you might find Ken at a NY theater or at any movie screening.

    Mara Velez

    Mara Velez, MA, CPDT-KA, is the Executive Director of the Shelter Playgroup Alliance and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. Mara has been working in the shelter setting for over a decade. Most recently, Mara was a behavior and training consultant at Contra Costa Animal Services where she collaboratively designed, developed, and implemented behavior program structures, including a robust volunteer training program, revised behavior evaluation, canine enrichment and playgroup guidelines. It was these procedures that served as the basis for the Shelter Playgroup Alliance guidelines. Mara holds both a bachelors and master’s degree in psychology and completed all of the course work for a doctorate in education.

    In addition to completing several animal behavior and training-related programs, Mara continually develops her skills and knowledge of canines by attending seminars and reading science-based canine literature. To date, she has completed over 2,500 hours of continuing education. Mara also enjoys training other species because it expands her training and observation skills. She has worked with: cats, bunnies, wolves, foxes, guinea pigs, coyotes, buffalo, donkeys, goats, alpacas, chickens, birds, and fish.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://theranch.clickertraining.com/live/#next