Shelter Learniverse and Industry-Wide Calendar

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  • Webinar – 5/18/24 – Targeted TNR & Getting the Most Bang for your Buck – Community Cats Podcast

    Webinar – 5/18/24 – Targeted TNR & Getting the Most Bang for your Buck – Community Cats Podcast

    The more cats you fix, the more impact your TNR program will have, right? Wrong! Spay/neuter volume alone is rarely enough by itself to keep consistently reducing a community’s free-roaming cat population over time.

    Another aspect to the program needs to be identifying areas of high need (meaning, lots of cats) and then focusing TNR resources at that location in order to achieve high sterilization rates.

    Discover what targeting is, why it’s so important and how you can do it no matter how large or small your program currently is.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/targeted-tnr-getting-the-most-bang-for-your-buck-presented-by-neighborhood-cats-may-2024/

  • Webinar – 4/25/24 – Cyber Security: A Leadership Perspective – CalAnimals

    Webinar – 4/25/24 – Cyber Security: A Leadership Perspective – CalAnimals

    Cyber security pros from Syntech Group have generously agreed to share this super important information with our CalAnimals members. They will discuss current topics and stories about cyber security including examples and tactics that leaders can employ to enhance awareness and implement practices for organizational security. Lastly they will share a few resources for ongoing training and awareness. You won’t want to miss this!

    Presenters:Katherine Wetherbee & James Stover – Syntech Group

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BGSyV1QmRXiXzSvHQCb64w#/registration

  • Online Event – 4/25/24 – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection: Hyperarousal in Dogs – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Event – 4/25/24 – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection: Hyperarousal in Dogs – Maddie’s Fund

    This month’s session topic: Hyperarousal in Dogs 

    Guest Speaker:  Dr. Jill Sackman, Animal Behavior Consultants of Michigan

    Hyperarousal behaviors are common in dogs and are often not correctly identified in the non-clinical behavior setting. Dogs with hyperarousal behaviors can be dangerous, resulting in bruising and bites to family from jumping and grabbing. Injury is often serious enough that many dogs are relinquished. Effective assessment and treatment can result in a majority of dogs being able to stay safely in their adopted home.  This talk will review what is currently known about hyperarousal/ hypersensitivity syndrome in dogs and report on a treatment approach used by the author that has led to significant improvement in behaviors and most of the dogs being able to stay safely in their adopted homes.

    About Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection: 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

  • Hybrid Conference – 7/12/24 to 7/14/24 – 2024 ASPCA® Cornell Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Conference – ASPCA (fee applies)

    Hybrid Conference – 7/12/24 to 7/14/24 – 2024 ASPCA® Cornell Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Conference – ASPCA (fee applies)

    The 2024 ASPCA® Cornell Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Conference will be held July 12-14, 2024, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Now in its 21st year, this year’s conference features our largest offering ever of educational opportunities! Experience more than 30 hours of world-class continuing education from dozens of sessions covering the latest in medical, behavior and shelter operations.

    This year’s conference features a keynote address by Emily McCobb, DVM, MS, DACVAA. Dr. McCobb is co-section head for Community Medicine and Director of the Luke and Lily Lerner Spay Neuter Clinic at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University. Dr. McCobb works to support community programs at the Cummings School and assisted in opening the Tufts at Tech Community Veterinary Clinic. Dr. McCobb’s keynote will focus on the roots and evolution of Access to Care in veterinary medicine and will examine how the field grew out of work being by Shelter and Community Medicine Programs for decades. Where might this field go next and what ramifications might this have for our discipline?

    Conference Livestream

    Can’t make the trip to Ithaca? We’ve got you covered! For the first time in conference history, Saturday’s and Sunday’s sessions will be livestreamed and available for livestream ticket holders.  And thanks to our Livestream sponsor, Independence Pet Group® (IPG), there is no registration fee for the livestream!  For more information on Livestream offering please visit the Livestream page.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://events.bizzabo.com/sheltermedconference

  • Webinar – 6/27/24 – Recognizing and Understanding Bias for the Animal Welfare Professional – NACA/Justice Clearinghouse

    Webinar – 6/27/24 – Recognizing and Understanding Bias for the Animal Welfare Professional – NACA/Justice Clearinghouse

    Our brains are amazing at making connections, doing work, and making decisions without us ever realizing it. Like when you drive home and realize as you’re parking that you don’t really remember the drive – yup – your unconscious brain played navigator so you could zone out a bit. However, these unconscious connections and processes can have a lasting effect on how you do your job.

    Join us as we discuss different types of bias and how they unconsciously invade your decisions and actions on and off the job.

    • Learn to identify 5-8 different bias types
    • Understand how bias and cynicism can play off of each other;
    • That bias, while often thought of as a negative, is actually an evolutionary necessity that we can earn to identify and work on
    • And how to create a shared language around bias so your entire team can work on being more aware of these unconscious traps.

    About the Presenter

    Officer Jace Huggins has been an enforcement officer and animal care professional for more than 15 years, serving in a diverse set of roles with agencies throughout California.  As an Animal Care Manager for Placer SPCA, he oversaw the husbandry and care of all animals in the shelter. He then became an animal control officer for the City of Sacramento and in time, earned the title of Chief Animal Control Officer. He recently took on the role of Vice President and Chief of Humane Law Enforcement at San Diego Humane Society. His team services a population of just over 2,500,000. Jace directs, coordinates, and evaluates Humane law activities including the enforcement of laws related to animal protection and the sheltering of animals; develops and implements animal control programs and field enforcement policies; and assists with the coordination of division activities with the 13 cities that SDHS contracts with. One of his proudest accomplishments is the development of the Sacramento P.A.W.S. (Promoting Animal Welfare and Safety) program, which includes volunteer field responders for low-risk/high-education need kitten calls, a no barrier resource program for owners, and a door-to-door resource program led by officer/volunteer teams. He works diligently on innovative programs that focus on keeping pets in their homes and providing owners with non-judgmental, low/no barrier access to resources. Jace prioritizes inclusion in animal welfare, serving on multiple DEI committees. He was a trainer for the City Of Sacramento Police Academy, serves as a board member for NACA, and is a law enforcement trainer with the Humane Society of the United States.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/recognizing-and-understanding-bias-for-the-animal-welfare-professional/

  • Online Event – 1st and 3rd Tuesdays – All Call – Beyond Words: Navigating Accent Discrimination in the Workplace – California for All Animals

    Online Event – 1st and 3rd Tuesdays – All Call – Beyond Words: Navigating Accent Discrimination in the Workplace – California for All Animals

    More than one billion people speak English worldwide, yet no one speaks it exactly the same way. Factors like region, culture, and variations among native and non-native speakers contribute to language fluidity and diversity. Yet accent bias and discrimination is universal and often goes unexamined. Whether it’s conscious or unconscious, it can fuel stereotyping, judgment, racism, and distrust within our teams and communities. At the April 16 All Call, Dr. Wesley Cheung (Shelter Medicine Resident, Ontario Veterinary College) will explore this topic with examples from the veterinary and shelter sector. He’ll offer steps we can take to reduce accent biases and build trust so we can accomplish more together.

    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 co-leaders Allison Cardona and Nadia Oseguera 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 – 4/11/24 – Building Trust, Preventing Bites: Proactive Dog Bite Prevention and Handling Strategies – Fear Free

    Webinar – 4/11/24 – Building Trust, Preventing Bites: Proactive Dog Bite Prevention and Handling Strategies – Fear Free

    As you know, a scared or anxious dog can react abnormally out of the desire to protect themselves. But, how does this translate into an effective and safe dog bite prevention strategy? The key to an effective dog bite prevention strategy is being proactive rather than reactive when a pet is showing signs of fear, anxiety, and stress.

    Join us during Dog Bite Prevention Week, on April 11, at 3 p.m. ET with Steve Dale, CABC, FFCP, to explore how being proactive can significantly enhance workplace safety and foster a harmonious environment for both humans and pets. Discover practical techniques and approaches to mitigate potential aggression and create a happier, safer environment for everyone involved.

    In this webinar, you will:

    • Learn proactive measures to create a safer environment for dogs and humans
    • Explore techniques for effectively managing and de-escalating tense situations involving fearful or anxious dogs
    • Gain insights into communication strategies that promote trust and confidence between dogs and humans, contributing to a stronger human-animal bond
    • Acquire actionable tips for implementing dog bite prevention protocols in workplace settings

    If you are unable to attend in person, we encourage you to register. All registrants will receive the recording of this webinar to your inbox within 1-2 weeks of the event date. If you are interested in continuing your education through previous webinars, you can access the recordings for all Fear Free webinars through our site, here.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://fearfreellc.webinargeek.com/building-trust-preventing-bites-proactive-dog-bite-prevention-and-handling-strategies

  • Hybrid Conference – 6/4/24 to 6/5/24 – 2024 Veterinary Behavior Symposium – ACVB (fee applies)

    Hybrid Conference – 6/4/24 to 6/5/24 – 2024 Veterinary Behavior Symposium – ACVB (fee applies)

    Please join ACVB for our two-day Veterinary Behavior Symposium June 4–5, 2024 at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Register now and join us for one or both days!

    The Veterinary Behavior Symposium provides a forum for sharing cutting-edge, original research in the field of animal behavior. The program will be held in-person in Minneapolis and be available virtually (live-streamed) as well. The presentations will be made available after the event for all registrants for those who wish to view again or return to it.

    DAY 1: VBS Scientific Paper Session
    Tuesday, June 4, 2024 | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
    The VBS Scientific Paper Session provides a community for sharing cutting-edge, original research in the field of animal behavior. Join us in person to connect with other professionals or attend virtually via live stream. The presentations will be made available after the event for all registrants who wish to view the presentations after the meeting.

    DAY 2: New! VBS Practical Behavior Forum
    Wednesday, June 5, 2024 | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
    The VBS Practical Behavior Forum is the ACVB’s exciting new offering especially for veterinarians in primary care. Join ACVB Diplomates for concise and informative talks on topics that you address every day. This is the first ever ACVB sponsored conference to offer effective tips and takeaways to help you practice behavioral medicine in ‘the real world’. Attend virtually or in person.

    The Practical Behavior Forum is eligible for 6.5 continuing education credits from Karen Pryor Academy and 6.5 continuing education credits from Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.dacvb.org/page/2024VBSandForum

  • Webinar – 4/19/24 – For Dog’s sake, can you stop that? Canine-Friendly Body Language Improvements for Humans – Dogs Playing for Life (fee applies)

    Webinar – 4/19/24 – For Dog’s sake, can you stop that? Canine-Friendly Body Language Improvements for Humans – Dogs Playing for Life (fee applies)

    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_EYFAcMH0S-6beQZX-RStQQ#/

  • Webinar – 4/11/24 – Elevator Behavior: Skills for Existing in Polite Society! – FDSA (fee applies)

    Webinar – 4/11/24 – Elevator Behavior: Skills for Existing in Polite Society! – FDSA (fee applies)

    Is your dog magnetized to people and other dogs when out in public? Does he find it difficult to impossible to simply ignore others in the environment? Do you feel like your dog is constantly looking for interaction with others while you struggle to keep his focus on you? We all want our dogs to be comfortable around other dogs and people and we often work very hard to socialize them. But do we take it too far and create an even bigger problem? Deb will discuss her concept of teaching dogs good “elevator behavior” and the importance of a dog who can simply mind his own business in public places.

    Note: This Webinar is back by popular demand. Please check your webinar library before purchasing.

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