Many animal shelters and rescues unwittingly perpetuate ableism through their engagements with disabled animals, even when they are trying to help these animals. In this session, we will explore how animal shelters and rescues contribute to problematic representations of disability and engage in practices that harm these animals. We will explore strategies for challenging ableism and better serving disabled animals.

Bonus: Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and by the National Animal Care & Control Association and in jurisdictions which recognize Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) approval.

Audience: (Vets, Vet Techs, Shelter staff, etc.) Anyone working in companion animal welfare: vets, vet techs, shelter staff, rescuers, volunteers.

Learning Objectives:

By the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to

1. Define ableism and the dis/ability system
2. Recognize ableist representations of animals and people
3. Identify and rework personal or organizational practices that support ableism to support better outcomes for disabled animals

Presented By: Katja M. Guenther
Professor of Gender & Sexuality Studies, University of California, Riverside, and author of The Lives and Deaths of Shelter Animals

Professor Katja M. Guenther’s research focuses on gender, social movements, human-animal relationships, and the state. Her work centers on improving our understanding of how and why inequalities of gender, race, class, dis/ability, and species reproduce so reliably, and what we can do to challenge these inequalities. She is best known in the animal well-being community as the author of The Lives and Deaths of Shelter Animals. Her scholarly work has been published in journals such as Disability Studies Quarterly, Ethnic & Racial Studies, Gender & Society, Mobilization, Politics & Gender, Signs, Social Problems, Sociological Forum, and Women’s Studies International Forum, among others.  Prof. Guenther teaches courses in introductory gender & sexuality studies and gender & disability studies, as well as upper-division courses in feminist and grassroots organizing, gender and the state, and feminist animal studies.

Zoom registration link: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcasts

MPF discussion thread: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsAbleism

WEBSITE LINK:  https://maddies.fund/MIwebcasts

Collaboration between animal welfare and human service organizations is key to successfully supporting people and pets in our communities. By working together and uniting our industries, organizations can bridge the gap and prevent the separation of families. Join us for a panel discussion on just this topic, as well as insights into the HASS Community Connections project. Nichole Hazard, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications for HASS, will share about the partnerships HASS is cultivating between our pilot organizations and human service organizations, along with Diaz Dixon, Maddie’s® Advisor for External Affairs and Partnerships. Kaitlyn Thomas, Keeping Pets with Families Coordinator for Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS), will also join the panel to share her insights into the community partnerships she’s developed through the BARCS Keeping Pets with Families program. Vincent Medley, Maddie’s® Director of Human Animal Support Services, will moderate.

Register below, bring your questions for this live Q&A, and join us live on Thursday, October 26 at 5 p.m. CT. After the live event, a recording will be distributed to all registrants within 3 business days.

WEBSITE LINK:  https://zoom.us/webinar/register/7016970452508/WN_O_5iwrs3T_6EpV3ikgBddg

In this session, we will explore the neural mechanisms underlying trauma and its profound impact on a dog’s cognitive development. Come and gain a deeper understanding of how trauma disrupts a dog’s ability to learn, hindering their progress in training programs and impeding their overall well-being. Gain insights into the challenges faced by traumatized dogs in memory recall and adapting to new situations. Learn about the impact of trauma on a dog’s social engagement system and discover strategies to support them in rebuilding trust and fostering positive social interactions.

Join our webinar to unlock the secrets of how trauma affects our canine friends. In this eye-opening session, we will provide practical strategies and interventions to support dogs on their journey to recovery. Whether you’re a professional in the field or a concerned dog owner, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge and tools to make a lasting difference.

Learning Objectives

In this webinar, attendees with understand how trauma impacts the brain of our dogs. How trauma affects their ability to learn and their executive functioning. how trauma affects a dogs ability to form and recall memories and how this impacts learning. How trauma impacts a dogs social engagement system. We will look at what this looks like and how we can help support these dogs.

CEUs pending: PPAB , CCPDT, KPA , PMCT , & IAABC

Registered for the live event, get busy and cannot make it!

No worries you will automatically receive a recording!

About the Presenter: Danielle is an enthusiastic and passionate Clinical Animal Behaviourist and trauma-informed rehabilitation trainer. They have been helping people to find the best way to help their animals for over 20 years. The primary species Danielle works with are dogs however, due to her background in zoology and work within zoological facilities, she is happy to see both domestic and non-domestic species. Danielle lives with her assistance dogs and often supports others with the training of their dogs for future assistance dog work. Danielle often breaks down complex neuroscience into easy-to-explain analogies featuring meerkats and founded a trauma-informed educational resource for caregivers and pet professionals called Control The Meerkat. Danielle offers professional mentoring and support for other pet professionals, particularly those wanting to progress to the role of Clinical Animal Behaviourist.

WEBSITE LINK:  https://petprofessionalguild.com/event-5427194

The human-animal bond describes the dynamic relationship between pets and their caregivers. This relationship is influenced by the emotional, psychological, and physical interactions between people, pets, and the environment.

Join our webinar hosted by Fear Free Director of Veterinary Affairs Jennifer Merlo, DVM, CVBMC, Elite FFCP to learn:
– The history of the human animal bond
– The positive aspects of creating and maintaining a bond with your pet
– How to identify and reduce common daily stressors for pets and pet parents
– Fear Free tips and techniques to create a personalized medication administration process for your pet

This presentation is brought to you by our friends at Covetrus Personalized Care Pharmacy

Presenter: Dr. Jennifer Merlo, Fear Free’s Director of Veterinary Affairs, began her career in veterinary medicine in 2004 after graduating from Ohio State University with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Initially focusing on equine medicine, Dr. Merlo soon delved into specializing in small animal general practice after moving to North Carolina in 2007. Dr. Merlo has been a supporter of Fear Free since it’s inception and has since become an Elite Certified Fear Free Veterinarian, owned the first Fear Free Certified Practice in North Carolina, and spread the Fear Free movement amongst general practice and emergency & critical care clinics across North Carolina and South Carolina before joining the Fear Free team in 2021.

WEBSITE LINK:  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2KQDGBy3QCSbHoC6iLfo4A#/