9:00am: Laura Monaco Torelli- “You Want Me To Do What?” A Closer Look At Unexpected Expectations of Canine Caregivers
Let’s dig deeper to explore canine caregiver surprises that await us. Preconceived ideas of what we thought our day-to-day would entail have evolved into a different picture. This presentation will take a closer look into how we include the care team to the conversation at times we feel short of information needed to feel successful. Learn with Laura while she shares client team case studies, and how these collaborations built successful strategies toward progress.
9:00am: Emily Strong- Using Enrichment to Survive Restricted Activity
When pets need to be kept under restricted activity for medical reasons, life can be difficult and stressful for both the animals and the people who care for them. But understanding what enrichment is and how to utilize it in situations like this can make these experiences easier for everyone involved. In this presentation we'll discuss how to create and implement enrichment plans for animals while they have to be under restrictions.
11:00am: Petra Ford- My Dog is Injured, Now What?? Crate Rest & Behaviors to Facilitate Recovery
Everyone dreads hearing that their dog is injured. My clients are immediately filled with worry and questions. How are they going to keep their dog quiet? How will they manage them safely and adhere to restrictions? What can they do to speed up the healing process? Dealing with an injured dog can be quite daunting and challenging. Knowing what we can do to make the process smoother is reassuring. In this presentation we will talk about the pros and cons of crate rest for recovery from injury. We will discuss possible alternatives to crate rest when appropriate. We will discuss when and why rehabilitation with a canine rehab therapist is preferable and/or complementary. We will look at some core behaviors every dog should have to facilitate the examination, rehabilitation and recovery. Finally, I will talk about what you can do at home to jump start your dog’s recovery. Being prepared, proactive and having a plan makes the recovery process much easier and less stressful for both you and your dog.
11:00am: Deborah Jones- All About Nails
This presentation will include a comprehensive view of nail care in dogs. This includes a discussion of the importance of regular nail maintenance, structural issues, and a holistic conditioning and training approach.
Owners report that nail trims are the most challenging husbandry procedure. It can often end up being a wrestling match rather than a simple physical care process. People resort to ignoring the issue (with serious physical repercussions for the dog), having others complete the procedure (often in less than pleasant ways), or resorting to physical force. None of these are ideal solutions. Deb will present her training program for making nail care less unpleasant for everyone involved.
Some of the steps include choosing a comfortable position for the dog, choosing a dedicated space to work on nails, conditioning physical handling of the legs & feet, conditioning passive acceptance of tools (and tool choices), and actually shortening nails. Throughout the presentation Deb will focus on excellent training techniques to help your dog become comfortable throughout the process.
2:00pm: Dr. Sophie Liu, DVM- Keep Your Cool! How to Avoid Your Dog’s Veterinary Meltdown
It’s true! Very few dogs actually enjoy going to the veterinary hospital. Even with happy visits, great vet staff, and plentiful treats, many dogs melt down despite our best intentions. Why? In this talk, we’ll go over why the veterinary clinic is a particularly challenging environment - even for happy and well adjusted dogs - and what everyone can do to maximize their dog’s potential for success. And for behaviorally challenged dogs, there are extra steps we can take to set the right expectations. We'll discuss critical skills to train, management improvements, and how to effectively evaluate and use pre-visit medications to prevent your dog’s next vet clinic meltdown.
2:00pm: Monique Feyrecilde- Cooperative Care: Training for Clinical Success
Bridging the gap between concept and skills training and "the real thing" in the veterinary setting can present numerous challenges. Learn the importance of clinically accurate training, the most common "skipped splits" which may decrease success rates, and how to be truly ready to deploy cooperative skills in the clinical environment.
1:00pm: Panel Recording- Choice or No Choice with Becki,Vander Weele Deb Jones, Emily Strong, and Laura Monaco Torelli
4:00pm: Panel Recording- Beyond the Vet Office with Dr. Jennifer Summerfield, DVM, Monique Feyrecilde, Petra Ford, Dr. Sophie Liu, DVM
