Living with Wildlife, Officer Safety & TWRA Information.  Rusty Boles, TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency)

In this informative session, attendees will learn the "ins and outs" of living with wildlife in urban settings and the "dos and don'ts" the general public should know to keep local wildlife from becoming a nuisance issue. Attendees will also learn the different behaviors of wildlife they may come in contact with to assist them in safe handling. Alternative methods will be discussed for behavior modification to decrease the contact with the animals, and federal and state laws will be discussed for which animals you are allowed to make contact with. There will also be a question/answer period for attendees to discuss their concerns in regard to the regulation of wildlife.

The Center Must Hold: Organizational Culture in Times of Crisis. B.J. Rogers, Emancipet

More than ping pong tables and free lunch, organizational culture represents the way teams behave based on the shared values and beliefs they have. Our culture is the HOW to our WHY – and the health of our organization is hugely dependent on the health of our culture, something we’ll feel more than ever in times of crisis. In this session we’ll discuss the basics of culture, explore a diagnostic tool or two, and list specific strategies to shore up our culture when the chips are down and the pressure is on.

Behavior Modifications for Shelter Dogs.  Rachel Harris, Crossroads Campus

Behavioral problems in the shelter are unavoidable; however, not all behaviors concerns have lead to euthanasia decisions. This session will go over ways to recognize and implement techniques and processes to help address and reduce behavior concerns among shelter dogs. Understanding body language, handling, positive reinforcement, and shelter procedure techniques will help you and your shelter work with dogs to decrease behavior concerns and increase desired behaviors for higher, safer adoptions. 

Elements of an Effective Program.  Karen Little, Alley Cat Advocates

Karen will talk about how successfully managing our community cat problem is the only way to successfully manage our community's animal issues. In implementing robust Trap-Neuter-Return and Return-To-Field programs, lives of cats and dogs are saved and the human community benefits immensely. Come see how the pieces fit together and how you can get started tomorrow.