Reading dog body language and communicating effectively with our own behavior are practiced skills that we need to mindfully develop over time. In this course you'll analyze videos of dogs and handlers having conversations. The handler needs to understand what the dog is telling them and also communicate their intentions to the dog. The goal is always for the human and the dog to be in agreement that "I'm into you!" Through this course, you'll recognize behaviors that suggest the dog is unsure, and consider how to de-escalate the conversation to "I'm into you!"

Course author: Devan Amundsen, CPDT-KA, is a certified dog trainer with over 15 years of experience working with not just dog owners, but dogs in shelters, assistance dogs and other working dogs

This course covers safe, effective and humane use of standard-issue field services equipment. Videos present humane concepts and safe handling techniques. Use of tools and equipment is demonstrated by Animal Capture and Handling Instructor John Peaveler.

keywords: animal control, animal protection, dog handling, cat handling

This course focuses on innovative programming that will inspire and engage officers to evolve with the changing landscape of the industry. It offers an eye-opening look into the future of a more equitable approach to field services and practical strategies for engaging with community members. After successfully completing this course students will be able to:

*Explain the need for support-based enforcement and the benefits for people and their pets, as well as for officers and agencies charged with public safety

*Explain the need for community engagement strategies and the benefits for people and their pets, as well as for officers and agencies charged with public safety

*Collect and analyze critical data to drive programming and measure success

*Demonstrate the importance of community-centered field services programming to agency leadership and staff and to external partners

*Implement a community-centered field services model that maintains public safety

keywords: animal control, ACO, lost pets 

Officers in the field are often faced with difficult and highly emotionally charged situations. These situations can often easily be diffused with appropriate language, and communication is the most important tool in your belt. As an officer, you are in the people business as much as you are in the animal business. Your communication tools directly impact the success or failure of the cases, individuals and communities in which you work. This course has a strong foundation of communication in general as well as going into deeper details about verbal and nonverbal communication. Approved for 1.5 hours of CAWA and NACA CE. 

NOTE: This course will also be useful for staff members and volunteers who are not field officers. 

keywords: animal control, ACO

Dogs go missing every day. They run out front doors, slip their collars on walks, jump through window screens and push through gates. They are scared by fireworks, storms or unfamiliar people. They're excited by children playing or cats in the front yard. 

This course will help you keep a dog safe in new environments and during frightening or exciting situations. The course is designed for adopters and foster caregivers as well as the animal welfare organizations who support them. All videos and infographics in the course can be utilized by animal welfare organizations for educational purposes.

This course is approved for 0.75 hours of continuing education credit from the National Animal Care & Control Association. Also earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards CAWA CEs.

Bringing a new cat home? Help your cat transition to a new environment and prevent them from escaping. Kimberley Freeman, expert on lost cat recovery, shares her knowledge of how to keep cats from becoming lost while they settle into their foster or adoptive home. Presented in a series of videos, Kim's tips will help you create a smooth, happy acclimation period for your cat and keep them from going lost. This course will be useful to foster caregivers and adopters as well as shelter staff who support them. 

This course will guide attendees through understanding the difference between the two primary types of animal cruelty – malicious cruelty and neglect. Using definitions, examples of current laws, and lived experience, the instructor will help the attendees understand the spectrum of emotional reaction as well the where the law lies. Attendees will also learn about the types of information that might be needed if they suspect cruelty has taken place and how to gather it for their ACOs. 

Learning Objectives: 
1. Recognize the range of emotional responses in cruelty cases and how they align with legal boundaries
2. Understand what information is essential for Animal Control Officers and how to obtain it effectively 

Presenter
Jace Huggins, Chief of Humane Law Enforcement, San Diego Humane Society

Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards 1.0 CAWA CEs. This webinar has also been pre-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). It has also been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit effective 10/14/25 - 10/14/27 in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. Complete the quiz to earn continuing education credit.

This version of the presentation was created for government organizations whose staff cannot access YouTube. 

keywords  animal cruelty, animal neglect, Jace Huggins

This course is part of Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection, monthly webcasts about pet behavior - supporting pets in our community and animal shelters.

This session provides practical tools to assess and respond to feline communication using Fear Free's Fear, Anxiety, and Stress scale. Through interactive exercises and video demonstrations, attendees will gain the confidence to advocate for the cats in their care, promoting better welfare and adoption outcomes.

Presenter: Tabitha Kucera, Elite Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling Certified Registered Veterinary Technician, Veterinary Technician Specialist (Behavior), Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, and Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. She is also the creator of Chirrups and Chatter Cat and Dog Behavior Consulting and Training.

This webinar has been pre-approved for 1.0 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credits by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and by the National Animal Care & Control Association.

This version of the presentation was created to support government organizations whose staff are not able to access YouTube videos. 

Visit Maddie's Pet Forum to comment, access the resources, follow a discussion or ask questions: https://maddies.fund/BehaviorC...

kewords Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection, Tabitha Kucera, feline communication, feline behavior

This is a practical course covering treatment and handling of feral and fractious cats. Videos demonstrate handling techniques. This course is authored by Monica Tarant, Chief Innovation Officer: Feline Lifesaving at Cincinnati Animal CARE with The Joanie Bernard Foundation.

This version of the course was created for use by organizations whose staff cannot access YouTube. 

keywords: community, cats, medical, treatment, panleuk, URI

Providing great customer service is critical to helping animals in our communities. How we support our clients has far-reaching ramifications for good or ill. This course first lays the groundwork for the connection between serving people and helping pets, as well as the elements of great customer service. Then it gives practical advice for developing the skills needed by anyone who interacts with clients or customers.

This course will be useful to anyone working in a shelter or rescue who interacts with the public.