Difficult Conversations on your shelter team?
Mediation Might be the Answer!
By Andrea DeMayo
Prong Collars.
Now that I have your attention… can you imagine a scenario where the two sides of the prong collar debate work together toward a solution for a particular dog? Honest conversation, real listening and the help of a mediator can make it work. In her recent webinar on Compassion Fatigue, Anne Lindsay touched on the need for professional support in several situations and challenges for both individuals and whole organizations, including a mediator when internal communication is difficult or non-existent. You can watch her presentation here.
In a mediation/communication workshop we practice listening, understanding and asking before we speak. It sounds simple, but when our passions are involved it can be messy. We already have a rehearsed litany of why we are correct about prong collars and are willing to launch into it at any opportunity. We have heard every possible counter argument and know what the other arguer thinks, feels, understands and we are pretty willing to make judgements about their moral character as well. We are dug into our position. Sound familiar? How do we move off the hill we have pledged to die on to engage with the other side?
Maybe we could start with something a little less inflaming. Do you ever just need to vent to a partner or friend, but their first response is an interruption: “Well, what you should do is…” before you even finish? In a mediation/communication workshop we practice being the listener. To make sure we understand, we repeat back what we think we heard and add “Do I have that right?” Try it! The next step is the really hard part: DO NOT OFFER A SOLUTION. Acknowledge the speaker’s predicament – “Wow, that sounds rough.” Ask an open-ended question: “What do you think you are going to do next?” Keep listening, understanding and asking. In a workshop these are low stakes conversations so we can practice for the harder ones. A workshop may give your organization some communication skills to break through seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Imagine what true, honest conversation could do in your organization. Move beyond the drama to real listening and valuable response.
When a workshop is not enough, a full mediation may be in order. Mediators invite parties to speak and listen to each other. Mediators use a process of guided conversations to keep the parties engaged and focused toward the future. Mediation is used in court proceedings from small claims to divorce. It is helpful in family, community and business settings. How would this work for prong collars or flexi-leashes or spay/neuter conversations?
Start with the specific: Susan and Alex volunteer at the local shelter. Susan uses a prong collar on her rescue, Fluffy. Alex is outraged. Both are entrenched in their positions. Let’s start with Fluffy, a 150-pound mutt with a checkered history. Without any interruption from Alex, Susan explains Fluffy, her history, her safety issues, her regular care and whatever else is important. The mediator asks, “How would you like to see this resolved?” Susan says it is resolved, Susan cares for her dog as she sees fit. Next it is Alex who states positions and interests and offers anti-prong information. Alex would like it to be resolved by no one ever using prong collars. Sounds like an impasse. What are Susan’s interests? Fluffy and her safety, rescuing a difficult dog, what else? What are Alex’s interests? The safety and care and well-being of all dogs, not subjecting animals to cruelty.
We can start with an understanding that both people love animals and want to offer the best possible care. Let’s next steer the conversation back to Fluffy, what has Susan tried? Why is she so concerned about safety? (Neighbors’ dogs provoke Fluffy). Susan explains her fears. Alex hears something that resonates – the fear of losing a dog and protectiveness of Fluffy. Now, with the mediator guiding, the group can brainstorm ideas together: training, practice, harnesses, talking to neighbors, protecting Fluffy. It may not be a perfect solution yet, but Susan agrees to try other avenues. Until she is confident, Susan will continue the collar when the neighbors’ dogs are out. Alex will include Susan in the upcoming training. Alex will walk dogs with Susan once a week for practice. Alex will encourage Susan. Susan thanks Alex.
Where did that conversation turn? Shared emotions and shared focus on Fluffy.
You are rolling your eyes out loud now, I can hear you. Mediation has helped facilitate many difficult situations from evictions, to divorce, to open adoptions and beyond. Honest conversation guided by mediation is an area our society needs. It may take a number of conversations, a number of meetings but staying open to the process makes it possible to find workable solutions. The mediator’s role is pulling together the threads of emotions, focus and interests until each party can see the other. There are so many potential conversations that a mediator can guide. Mediation can be a game changer in the animal world. What would be the first one you want to try?
Andrea DeMayo is a mediator who lives with her four dogs and three children and husband in Holliston. She practices many types of mediation: Family, Divorce, Small Claims, Prison Re-Entry, Child Permanency, Evictions and Parenting Plans. You can reach her at andreademayomediation@gmail.com.
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MAC Welcomes Two New Board Members!
by Alice O'Connor
Seasoned animal welfare professionals Pam Peebles and John Perreault have joined the MAC Board of Directors. Both have extensive experience in animal sheltering and community issues in Western MA.
Pam has been the Executive Director of Thomas J O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center since 2009. Prior to that she held various positions at the MSPCA in Springfield, MA for 27 years.
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John started his career at the MSPCA in Methuen. In 1992 he took over the Pittsfield branch of the MSPCA and became the Executive Director of the newly formed Berkshire Humane Society.
Both Pam and John, who are innovative and passionate about their work, represent the western part of Massachusetts, which has very different issues and needs. We are very happy to have them on the board and look forward to having them lend their voices to the statewide discussion.
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Veterinarians Approved to Administer COVID-19 Vaccines to People
by Joann Lindenmayer
This image looks like any COVID-19 vaccination site. But look again. This is veterinarian Dr. Charlie Cummings administering vaccines to people at a regional vaccine clinic in Uxbridge, Massachusetts.
Following an announcement by President Biden in a March 11 address, Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human services, amended a declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act that expanded the pool of qualified professionals able to administer shots to include veterinarians and veterinary medical students who are certified in CPR, have completed the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccination modules, and have undergone an observation period.
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After graduating from Tufts in 2019, Dr. Cummings completed an internship in zoological/wildlife medicine in Louisiana and is now pursuing a master's degree in Tufts’ Clinical & Translational Science
program, investigating ecologic drivers of influenza prevalence in wild bird species.
As far as volunteering for vaccination clinics, he said, “I just wanted to do what I could to help as a public health professional. I figured if I could vaccinate a rhino, I could probably help with humans.”
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Monday, April 19, 2021 at 5-6:30pm
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Cameron Carow (DVM/MPH student at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University) will present the results of a GIS-based analysis of need for spay and neuter resources in the state of Massachusetts. This project demonstrates how GIS can be utilized to combine spatial, socioeconomic and demographic data to identify regions with significant need for spay and neuter resources.
The analysis was designed to support MAC as it reassesses the “I'm Animal Friendly” License Plate Grant program. This will help MAC members and friends understand how these findings reflect what is happening in your part of Massachusetts and it will provide us with the information that we all need in order to refine our own spay and neuter efforts.
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Stay Tuned and Save the Dates for Upcoming Webinars! |
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June 7, 2021 at 6pm
The Future of Sheltering: Human Animal Support Services
Speaker:
Kristen Hassen,
Maddie's Fund Director of American Pets Alive!
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August 9, 2021 at 5pm
Words Matter
Speaker:
Aimee Christian,
Vice President, Animal Welfare and Veterinary Services at Animal Rescue League of Boston
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The 75th Annual New England Federation of Humane Societies Conference will be an exciting online experience April 6 - 8, 2021. You'll get the most riveting speakers addressing the industry's forefront issues, live Q&A with speakers, networking opportunities, an exhibit hall and more.
The conference is an annual professional development and community-building event organized by New England Federation of Humane Societies. The collection of speakers is sure to inspire. The opportunities to learn and network are endless. The conference features practical information and current topics on animal welfare and also provides continuing education credits.
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Send MAC Your Updates!
If you run an organization or clinic that provides any of the following services and would like to be included in our search engine.
Low cost spay/neuter
Low cost veterinary care for owned animals
Low cost dental services
Low cost euthanasia
TNR
Surrender prevention support
Pet behavior helpline
Pet food pantry
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If your organization is a MAC Organizational Member and you want us to include your program, idea, webinar, event or conference here. Email us at: info@massanimalcoalition.org. |
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Animal Care Expo
View the registration rates for Animal Care Expo 2021, the largest and lowest-priced international training conference and trade show in the animal welfare field. Registration includes access to 40 online professional development sessions, a...
Read more
humanepro.org
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NKCKittenNurseryConference/2021 Session 2
Want to start or improve a kitten nursery at your shelter or rescue? * Need to know the latest information about what works for neonatal kittens? * Volunteer at a shelter or rescue and want to get a kitten nursery up and running? * Want to know...
Read more
kittencoalition.org
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Pro Resources | HASS
Welcome to Pro Resources Here you will find professional resources for implementing the Human Animal Support Services model of animal sheltering. The toolkits and resources have been created in collaboration with the HASS Project Working Groups,...
Read more
www.humananimalsupportservi...
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Community Cat Voices
COVID-19 Video Series
Thursdays at 12pm
WEEKLY Zoom call for all animal welfare organizations in the area to come together and discuss concerns and best practices for handling this situation with regards to the corona virus.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 454 825 6521
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Maddie's Fund
Weekly Call
Mondays at 11am EST
Maddie’s Fund, in concert with American Pets Alive!, hosts a weekly hour-long Zoom call for animal welfare workers and volunteers. While these calls started out as a response to COVID-19, it’s grown into so much more. These calls are a safe place to discuss uncomfortable topics, all while sharing a common goal of preserving the human-animal bond.
This call, recurring each Monday unless otherwise posted, is primarily for shelter workers, volunteers and rescue organizations.
You need only register once to attend each recurring meeting throughout the year. We ask for your email address in order to send out important announcements about upcoming meetings - we do not share your information.
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MAC is committed to keeping you all up to date on resources, tools and best practices during these unprecedented times. |
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Shameless Animal Video
Puppy Hiccups are our favorite!
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Check Out the Resources on MAC's Website
Are you aware of how much MAC has to offer beyond educational meetings, programs and task forces?
Have you ever checked out our Resources pages?
If you are looking for spay/neuter services in your area check out our Find a Spay/Neuter Clinic page. Simply enter your zip code and we will find clinics close to you!
MAC is here for you! Be sure to take advantage of all that we have to offer!
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For $10 A Year You Can Be A MAC Member!
Joining MAC is a great way to become more involved in animal welfare, meet others who are doing similar work, make friends and connections, and hear from experts in the field. For more info visit our membership page.
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Massachusetts Animal Coalition Facebook Page |
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If you received this email directly from MAC, you are already on the list! |
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