Well-trained behavior staff result in improved welfare for all animals in your care.
BEAR offers in-depth content on all things shelter behavior for anyone interested in a role as a shelter behavior professional. This program is suited for individuals who currently work or volunteer in a shelter and want to transition to a behavior role, as well as private trainers looking to transition into a shelter environment. This program is also beneficial for individuals who want to incorporate behavior-related tasks into their existing role, including veterinary staff who want to include low stress and/or fear free handling into their practice.
Through approximately 200 hours of hybrid learning, participants will learn about the key aspects of:
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Training and behavior modification for multiple species
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Creating behavior-related programs, including for multi-species enrichment
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Incorporating behavior and training into all aspects of sheltering
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Leading teams and influencing without authority
Pay-as-you-go! Got questions? Check out our FAQs!
Program Details
Phase one
BEAR Necessities (on-line): In this initial phase of the program, we will be exploring the necessary and foundational concepts for your journey to becoming a shelter behavior professional.... the BEAR Necessities! This set of on-line courses will cover key concepts that include how animals learn and communicate, positive reinforcement-based training and behavior modification, ethics related to sheltering and animal training, and enrichment in the shelter environment, including facilitating safe and positive inter-dog interactions. ($500/person)
Winter 2024 Cohort Dates: August 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Spring 2025 Cohort Dates: February 1, 2025 - June 30, 2025
BEAR Necessities Workshop (in-person): The prerequisite for the first workshop is successful completion of the BEAR Necessities on-line modules. This hands-on workshop will build on the content in the BEAR Necessities modules and consists of four consecutive days during which participants will demonstrate safe handling, defensive handling, behavior modification for cats and dogs, and manage safe inter-dog interactions. ($800/person)
Winter 2024 Cohort Dates: January 14 - 17, 2025 in Dublin, CA
Spring 2025 Cohort Dates: August 2025 (dates TBD)
Phase one focus areas:
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Ethics in animal welfare (five freedoms & five domains) generally and sheltering specifically
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Positive reinforcement training essentials
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Observing and interpreting canine and feline behavior
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Introduction to canine and feline enrichment in shelters
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The basics of canine play
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Ethical and humane playgroup facilitation
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Safe and low-stress handling skills
Phase two
BEAR Fundamentals (on-line): The second phase of the BEAR program explores the differences between evaluations and assessments, types of evaluations, risk assessment, gathering and documenting objective behavioral information, identifying manageable behavioral concerns, prioritizing interventions to focus on behaviors that may limit opportunities for placement, and engaging with community members in a variety of situations. Enrollment in BEAR Fundamentals is contingent upon successful completion of BEAR Necessities, or equivalent. ($300/person)
Spring 2024 Cohort Dates: August 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Winter 2024 Cohort Dates: February 1, 2025 - June 30, 2025
BEAR Fundamentals Workshop (in-person): The prerequisite for this workshop is successful completion of the BEAR Fundamentals on-line modules and Phase One on-line and in-person content. This hands-on workshop will build on all of the previous content and consists of four consecutive days during which participants will engage in conducting evaluations, identifying and problem-solving behavior concerns, conducting canine risk assessments, creating behavior modification plans for multiple species, and working with the public. ($800/person)
Spring 2024 Cohort Dates: January 14-17, 2025 in Dublin, CA
Winter 2024 Cohort Dates: August 2025 (dates TBD)
Phase two focus areas:
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Types of shelters
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Shelter operations, including pathway planning, from an ethical perspective
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Canine behavior evaluations
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Data-informed decision-making
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Building ehavior volunteer programs
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Creating behavior plans
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A deep dive into the Canine Assessment of Risk in Shelters tool
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Phase three
Advanced BEAR Concepts (on-line): The third phase of the BEAR program explores how shelter behavior professionals work across the organization and the community to improve animal welfare. This phase of the BEAR program also includes in-depth feline behavior content. ($300/person)
Spring 2024 Cohort Dates: February 1, 2025 - June 30, 2025
Winter 2024 Cohort Dates: August 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Advanced BEAR Workshop (in-person): The prerequisite for this workshop is successful completion of the first two phases (both on-line and in-person workshops). This hands-on workshop will build on all of the previous content and consists of four consecutive days during which participants will engage in activities and discussions that support implementation of behavior-related concepts across the organization as well as feline behavior modification. ($800/person)
Spring 2024 Cohort Dates: August 2025 (dates TBD)
Winter 2024 Cohort Dates: January 2026 (dates TBD)
Phase three focus areas:
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Integrating behavior into all aspects of shelter work
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Building relationships with the community surrounding your shelter
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Building relationships with other shelters and rescues
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Post-adoptions support
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Feline behavior
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Navigating the shelter legal environment
Phase four
Leading with BEAR (on-line): The final phase of the BEAR program will explore the influence and leadership skills required of a shelter behavior professional to improve animal welfare through activating others for positive change. This phase will include theories of leadership, coaching, mentoring, leading without authority, and organizational savvy. ($800/person)
Spring 2024 Cohort Dates: August 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Winter 2024 Cohort Dates: February 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026
Phase four focus areas:
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Leadership frameworks
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Coaching frameworks
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Decision-making frameworks
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Organizational savvy
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Leading without authority