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  • Online Course – 7/8/23 – Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshop – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)

    Online Course – 7/8/23 – Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshop – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)

    Are you ready to be part of the solution for feral and stray cats in your neighborhood? Our expert instructors will teach you best practices for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and colony management. Learn what TNR is and why it works. We’ll cover getting along with neighbors, preparations for trapping, trapping itself (including entire colonies at once), feeding, providing winter shelter, and more. Take advantage of the interactive format, extensive handouts, and video footage of actual projects. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance and gain access to an ongoing Facebook group for networking with other TNR activists. Instructed by Susan Richmond, executive director, and Bryan Kortis, national programs director.

    Session duration is 2.5 hours, followed by an optional 15-minute Q&A session.

    Proudly sponsored by Tomahawk Live Trap

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/the-neighborhood-cats-tnr-certification-workshop-july-2023/

  • Webinar – 6/21/23 – Trauma-Informed Care in Vet Med – Not One More Vet

    Webinar – 6/21/23 – Trauma-Informed Care in Vet Med – Not One More Vet

    According to Dr. Gabor Mate, “Trauma is not what happens to you, it’s what happens inside you as a result of what happened to you”. Considering this explanation and the pervasive nature of trauma in veterinary medicine, this session will explore how we as veterinary professionals, teams and practices can adopt trauma-informed principles to create more psychologically healthy and safe workplaces. More specifically, we will explore the application of safety, trust, peer support, collaboration, empowerment and inclusion to address primary, secondary and systemic trauma.

    Presenter: Angie Arora, MSW, RSW

    Angie specializes in veterinary wellbeing, end-of-life and pet loss support, and equity issues within veterinary and shelter medicine. Angie is deeply committed to supporting veterinary medicine as an allied professional. She has worked directly in veterinary hospitals as a Social Worker and is actively involved with many veterinary organizations and initiatives. As a Professor with Seneca College’s School of Community Services, Angie has developed and taught a micro-credential aimed at improving the stress response for those working within veterinary and shelter medicine. Angie holds a Master of Social Work from York University. She is certified in Emotional CPR and is a certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.nomv.org/2023/06/06/trauma-informed-care-in-vet-med/

  • Webinar – 6/20/23 – 2020–2022 data trends: A national perspective – Best Friends

    Webinar – 6/20/23 – 2020–2022 data trends: A national perspective – Best Friends

    Like many industries, animal sheltering was significantly impacted by COVID, and the last three years of data reflect that. Your organization is likely aware of its own data, but how does it compare to other organizations in your community or across the country? How can we use this data to better plan for the future of animal welfare?

    Join us from 3 to 4 p.m. EST Tuesday, June 20, for a panel discussion on national animal sheltering data from 2020 through 2022. The event will be hosted by the Best Friends Network and moderated by Whitney Bollinger, director of strategy and network operations.

    Panelists will include:

    • Steve Zeidman, senior vice president of software solutions at Pethealth, Inc.
    • Brent Toellner, senior director of lifesaving programs at Best Friends
    • Dr. Julie Levy, Fran Marino endowed distinguished professor of shelter medicine education at the University of Florida Shelter Medicine program
    • Kristen Hassen, principal of Outcomes Consulting

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/9716861612046/WN_k3tr3YOmQtKC8Ztnd6UvDg#/registration

  • Online Event – 6/30/23 – Emerging Leaders Cohort Final Presentations – CalAnimals

    Online Event – 6/30/23 – Emerging Leaders Cohort Final Presentations – CalAnimals

    We are pleased to announce that this year’s Emerging Leaders cohort will be giving their final presentations on Friday, June 30th.

    Please join us for the live webinar to check out what they’ve learned. The session will run from 12:00 to 3:00pm. If you can’t attend the whole thing, feel free to pop in! We’d love to have you.

    Thinking about applying for next year’s program? This is a great way to get a sampling of the content that is covered.

    A big, giant, huge THANK YOU to Maddie’s Fund, Michelson Found Animals, and Wallis Annenberg PetSpace for generously sponsoring this program.

    This program is free for all participants!
    June 30th, 2023
    Emerging Leaders Final Presentation
    12:00 – 3:00pm
    Register here:
    https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qXbmJEYPTH2L_bOGkoj8Jg

    Schedule of Events
    12:00 to 12:10pm – Introductions and Welcome
    12:10 to 12:35pm – “Preparing for Your Next Role”
    12:35pm to 1:00pm – “Building and Maintaining an Effective Team: Workplace Culture, Staff Development”
    1:00pm to 1:25pm – “Fundraising and Financial Management”
    1:25pm-1:35pm – 10 minute break
    1:35pm to 2:00pm – “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) and Cultural Humility ”
    2:00pm to 2:25pm – “Leading Change and Navigating Challenges
    2:25pm to 2:50pm – “ Nonprofit vs. Government Shelters: Structure, Differences, Tips for Success, Working with Boards
    2:50pm to 3:00pm – Final Comments and Wrap Up

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qXbmJEYPTH2L_bOGkoj8Jg

  • Online Course – Starts 6/13/23 – Shelter Dog Behavior Mentorship with Trish McMillan – Shelter Behavior Hub (fee applies)

    Online Course – Starts 6/13/23 – Shelter Dog Behavior Mentorship with Trish McMillan – Shelter Behavior Hub (fee applies)

    Is your shelter struggling to meet the needs of your dog population? Do you feel like your SOP’s aren’t meeting industry standards? Are you facing challenges related to intake, meeting the needs of dogs in your care, or finding appropriate placement? The Shelter Dog Behavior Mentorship is your opportunity to take your shelter’s canine program to the next level. This 13 week deep dive into all things shelter behavior will help you create evidence-based policies and procedures for your shelter behavior department.

    This intensive course will cover all aspects of shelter behavior, from intake to post-adoption support. With the help of your peers from all over the world, we will explore science and best practices in building your shelter behavior programming to meet and exceed industry standards, and to give every dog in your care the best shot at a new home. There will be an emphasis on creating written policy and protocols for your department.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://trish-s-school-bcb6.thinkific.com/courses/2023b-sdbm-shelter-dog-behavior-mentorship

  • Webinar – 6/23/23 – Think Anesthesia: Myths, Mysteries, & Misconceptions, Part 2 – Think Anesthesia

    Webinar – 6/23/23 – Think Anesthesia: Myths, Mysteries, & Misconceptions, Part 2 – Think Anesthesia

    By popular request!!! Join this month’s live webinar, Think Anesthesia: Myths, Mysteries, & Misconceptions, Part 2 presented by Amanda M. Shelby, BSc, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) and Elizabeth A. Martinez, DVM, DACVAA. Current dogma undoubtedly has influence over decisions veterinary professionals make surrounding the peri-anesthetic period. Often these incontrovertibly true beliefs originate from a misconception, ounce of truth, diluted or embellished by word of mouth and/or articles of opinion or limited weighted experiences eventually being commonly understood or accepted. This presentation is complementary to the previous presentation and investigates using an evidence-based approach to assess some of the common myths or misconceptions surround the peri-anesthetic period. This presentation is worth 1 hour of RACE approved CE for veterinarians and veterinary technicians. An on-demand recording will be available within a week following the event.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.thinkanesthesia.education/live-webinar/2023/06/think-anesthesia-myths-mysteries-misconceptions-part-2

  • Webinar – 6/15/23 – For Dog’s sake, can you stop that? Canine-Friendly Body Language Improvements for Humans – Dogs Playing for Life

    Webinar – 6/15/23 – For Dog’s sake, can you stop that? Canine-Friendly Body Language Improvements for Humans – Dogs Playing for Life

    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!

    Learning objectives:

    – Examples of handling that causes negative behavior compared to handling that promotes  desired behavior

    – Demonstration of handling that induces trust and learning with dogs that are too afraid to respond initially to food rewards or affection

    – Comprehensive discussion around the correct use of pressure and release and why this is a critical skill for shelter canine handlers to master to save more dogs

    This is a 2-hour presentation followed by a Q&A session of approximately 30 minutes. This webinar will NOT be recorded and is scheduled on EASTERN TIME. This webinar holds 500 attendees, so register ahead of time and show up on time the day of the webinar (we’ll open it up 15 minutes early) to be sure to get a spot!

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MiwpIi3rQfWcMF60NMcRJg#/registration

  • Webinar – 8/15/23 – Fancy Footwork: Practical Handling and Training Solutions for the Entire Shelter – Dogs Playing for Life

    Webinar – 8/15/23 – Fancy Footwork: Practical Handling and Training Solutions for the Entire Shelter – Dogs Playing for Life

    While playgroups are the foundation of our shelter training program, teaching shelter teams how to implement a generalized, effective, and enjoyable way to handle and train their dogs is another essential aspect of our canine programming! In this webinar, we will teach the fundamentals of our “Fancy Footwork” techniques that focus on achieving good leash manners through the use of your FEET instead of your hands. Come learn this unique and highly effective approach that promotes dogs happily walking softly by your side, offering tons of eye contact, and wowing adopters! This new approach to leash work will enhance your handling skills and increase your ability to train ALL dogs, even those that are highly aroused, stressed, fearful, or not motivated by food, all in an effort to improve quality of life and lifesaving for dogs living in shelters.

    Additionally, we will teach you how to implement our critically important kennel routines. The kennel areas of our nation’s shelters can be one of the most challenging and distressing environments that dogs–and their handlers–ever face. DPFL kennel routines have been developed and taught to shelters across the country in an effort to combat these challenges and to provide safer and more successful ways for dogs and people to maneuver through the kennels.

    This is a 1.5-hour presentation followed by a Q&A session. This webinar will NOT be recorded and is scheduled on EASTERN TIME.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://dogsplayingforlife.com/webinars/

  • Webinar – 6/22/23 – Increase Adoptions with Pet Seeking Insights – Petfinder and Shelters United

    Webinar – 6/22/23 – Increase Adoptions with Pet Seeking Insights – Petfinder and Shelters United

    Unleash the power of adopter search insights to improve your pet listings! Learn how to harness adopter search trends to attract more potential adopters and get pets adopted faster.   What You’ll Learn:

    • Discover the latest search behaviors and trends shaping how potential adopters find adoptable pets on Petfinder and beyond. What pet qualities are searched for the most? What grabs adopters’ attention first when searching for a pet? What trends are most surprising?
    • Next, we’ll share ways to leverage these search trends to create top-notch pet listings, including creative tips for writing engaging descriptions and utilizing media to highlight your pets.
    • Learn best practices from the real-life pet listings of your peers, with a focus on pets who may need a little more TLC, such as big dogs, senior pets, and those with special needs.
    • Plus, transform your rescue efforts by utilizing Petfinder’s Supply & Demand Data Tool to identify pet transport opportunities. Every shelter and rescue can utilize these tips!

    Join us for an enlightening and life-saving webinar – your presence is eagerly anticipated.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1151343036924432213

  • Webinar – 7/3/23 – A New Approach to Working With Clients & Harnessing Autonomy and Empowerment for Success – PPG (fee applies)

    Webinar – 7/3/23 – A New Approach to Working With Clients & Harnessing Autonomy and Empowerment for Success – PPG (fee applies)

    One of the most stated reasons by professional trainers for a failure to perform successful services in pet training is two-fold. I often hear that ” the client was not committed or compliant.”

    Let’s stop this behavior-changing game we find ourselves in and begin to work with clients in a more collaborative model yielding success for all parties!

    It’s not about control or win-loose, or compliance. These words make us cringe when discussing behavior change in animals; let’s not apply these old concepts to our clients.

    Do you often feel like you?

    • Are constantly nagging clients.
    • Having suggestions and ideas pushed back.
    • Hear “yeah but” all the time.
    • Feel your client relationship is confrontational.
    • Return to a client’s home and find no progress has been made in your absence
    • Find yourself constantly “splaining” everything

    Well, Did you know that?

    • Clients, like all humans, make choices that do not always align with their goals.
    • Clients may, at times, lack self-control.
    • Clients have no commitment vehicle to help them stay on track.
    • Clients don’t see or recognize the ambivalence between their stated goal and behavior.

    In this webinar, Niki will introduce the concept of Motivational Interviewing and Commitment Strategies.

    Learn how these can be used to harness a client’s ambivalence and then use this ambivalence to motivate effective behavior change. She will also discuss various types of commitment strategies that can be used to hold clients accountable for their own words and goals.

    Learn About

    • Interviewing techniques to bring about change
    • What to avoid in developing a collaborative professional-client relationship
    • How to guide clients through their own behavior change
    • How to stop “splaining” and empower autonomy in your clients

    CEUS Pending PPAB, KPA, CCPDT, IAABC

    Presented by Niki Tudge

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://petprofessionalguild.com/event-5295867