Pet Ownership in Homeless PopulationsWhat are your thoughts when you see a homeless person with a pet? Hear some amazing stories from Leslie Irvine herself, the author of My Dog Always Eats First, a series of interviews and reflections on the reality of life for many homeless Americans and their pets. It’s a fascinating look into a hidden population within a larger hidden population and the commitment these people have to their pets may surprise you.

What Makes Dogs SpecialSo why are dogs so special to so many of us? Is it smarts, is it sensory ability, is it problem solving? What if the answer was there and obvious all along? What if dog’s ability to LOVE is what makes them different from other creatures? Could there be science and data behind this? Spend some time with one of the world’s best known canine cognition specialists who lays out a most interesting thesis on the subject.

Neglect, Abuse, and the Human Animal BondA review of some of the issues around not only animal abuse but how it relates to other types of domestic abuse. What do I do if I suspect abuse of or by a client when in the veterinary clinic? Maya Gupta, a clinical psychologist, and senior director of research at the ASPCA walks you through the relevance of all of this to you, the links to various forms of domestic violence, and specific recommendations about what you can do to help.

Thinking Outside of the BoxSteve Dale, CABC and world renown lecturer and radio host goes through some of the latest thinking about why cats do what they do, particularly with regards to the litter box. Steve talks about the importance of medical screening, driving reasons why cats spray and has some great suggestions on how to speak to and help others learn about this common and exceedingly frustrating problem.You Can’t Treat Cats If You Don’t See ThemWhile super useful for veterinary professionals, this module will also be very helpful for people who spend their lives with cats and need to take them to the veterinarian occasionally. Complete with videos, Steve Dale speaks in detail about the challenges faced by everyone in taking a cat to the vets as well as some of the many options available to improve the experience.

Considering Consent in Companion AnimalsPhD candidates, professional trainers and anthrozoologists, Erin Jones and Emily Tronetti, from New Zealand and the United States respectively, offer a great review of consent in cats and dogs. Do you know what it looks like when a cat says “no”, or when a dog says, “I really don’t want to play right now”? Or “please do that again! I like that!” The signs can be subtle. Packed with video analysis, Erin and Emily take you through some specific approaches and even give a bonus e-handout to refer to after the talk.

Emily Tronetti (she/her) has a Master of Science in anthrozoology and several animal behavior and training credentials. She’s currently pursuing her Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational and Professional Practice with a specialization in humane education through Antioch University. Emily owns Coexistence Consulting, which offers consulting and humane education to animal guardians, professionals, and organizations. She is also a co-founder of the Humane Alliance of Rescue Trainers, a nonprofit that matches shelter and rescue organizations with behavior support at no cost.

Courthouse Facility Dogs: Trauma Informed Care for Victims of CrimeBrenda Kocher, licensed Physical Therapist, member of the Tampa Guardian Ad Litem program in Tampa and handler (and Mom) to the very first Courthouse facility dog in Florida, Tibet walks us through some details of the program, what it took to get to be able to do what she does and even some of the neurophysiology behind why these ultra-highly trained dogs do such good. Many stories of how she and Tibet found each other and even some about the impact that have had in other people’s lives.