Nominee Announcement for the Central Adjudication Event

Supporters of nominees, industry professionals, and members of the Alliance for Urban Animals are welcome to attend this adjudication event. Attending the event will provide viewing of all nominee presentations and allow networking with other industry professionals. The event will begin with registration at 0830hrs and include a luncheon. During the Alliance for Urban Animals Luncheon (sponsored by HomeSafe) all participants will be able to discuss current and future Urban Animal Foundation Initiatives. This is an excellent opportunity to have your say and move the industry! Event fees are $35 if paid in advance. Register online!

Eight nominees will be presenting at the Central Adjudication Event; read about the Merit Discussions they are bringing forward here.

• Innovation Showcase Scholarship:
• James Gillett with 4 Boys, 4 Dogs, 4 Life
• Sue and John Alexander with Every Puppy Deserves Puppy Class
• Erin Gray with Pop Up Dog Parks
• Tracy Robertson with The Bello Project
• Tiffany Sullivan with Animal Rescue Corps
• Emerging Leader Scholarship:
• Blake and Lisa Paulin with Lisa’s Doghouse
• Research Poster Scholarship:
• Tascha Welch from the University of Guelph
• Robert McCarthy from Tufts University

Note: Nominations are still being accepted for the Central and Virtual Adjudication Events. If you know an exceptional person, nominate them today!

Two Weeks Until the Central Adjudcation Event in Guelph, ON

Still Accepting New Nominees!

The Central Adjudication Event will be held on Thursday June 11th at the University of Guelph Arboretum in Guelph, Ontario. Nominees will present their work towards one of the four Urban Animal Programs: Emerging Leaders, Research Posters, Digital Journalists, and Innovation Showcases.

Supporters of nominees and members of the Alliance for Urban Animals are welcome to attend this adjudication session. The event will run from 8:30AM  to 4PM and include a luncheon. Event fees are $35 if paid in advance or $50 at the door. Register online!

The Adjudication Events provide opportunities to support program nominees as they strive to win a Scholarship and for fellowship with peers in the region. Those wishing to be involved in the Summit Awards Program are also invited to attend to solicit support for their nomination from their peers and members of the adjudication panel.

Scholarship recipients are awarded a full delegate package to attend and present at the 2015 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in Alberta on October 14-17. Scholarships are valued at up to $2,700 and include Summit registration fees, meals, gratuities, accommodations, and up to $550 in travel subsidies.

Nominee Announcement and Schedule for the Atlantic Adjudication Event

Supporters of nominees, industry professionals, and members of the Alliance for Urban Animals are welcome to attend this adjudication event. Attending the event will provide viewing of all nominee presentations and allow networking with other industry professionals. The event will begin with registration at 0830hrs and include a luncheon. During the Alliance for Urban Animals Luncheon (sponsored by HomeSafe) all participants will be able to discuss current and future Urban Animal Foundation Initiatives; two of which are from the Atlantic region! This is an excellent opportunity to have your say and move the industry! Event fees are $35 if paid in advance. Register online!

Six nominees will be presenting at the Atlantic Adjudication Event; read about the Merit Discussions they are bringing forward here.

• Innovation Showcase Scholarship:
• Ardra Cole with ElderDog Canada
• Annette James with Fredericton SPCA: Resiliency & Wellbeing for Animal Care Workers
• Krista Foreman with Safe for Pets Too, South Paw Animal Hospital
• Linda Townsend with Muddy Paws Adventures  
• Heather Brown with Playful Paws
• Digital Journalist Scholarship:
  • Rodney Habib with Planet Paws Pet Essentials

ATLANTIC ADJUDICATION SCHEDULE

0830 - 0900  Registration

           Innovation Showcase Adjudication

           Session Pause

 Digital Journalist Adjudication

           Session Pause

1200 - 1300 Alumni/Mentor Luncheon

           Summit Award Nominees Boot Camp

 Session Adjourned

Note: Nominations are still being accepted for the Atlantic (until May 15th) and Central Adjudication Events, especially for the Emerging Leaders, Research Poster, and Digital Journalist Scholarships. If you know an exceptional person, nominate them today!

Have Your Say at the Atlantic Adjudication Event!

Still Accepting New Nominees until Friday May 15th!

This adjudication event will be held on Tuesday May 19th at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Nominees will present their work towards one of the four Urban Animal Programs: Emerging Leaders, Research Posters, Digital Journalists, and Innovation Showcases. Seven nominees will present at this event: Five for the Innovation Showcase, one for the Digital Journalist and one Emerging Leader (Humane & Rescue). Information about the nominees can be found here. Dr. Jason Coe, Executive Director, of the Urban Animal program will lead the Adjudication element of the program which is expected to be completed by 1230hrs. The Atlantic Adjudication is the third event on the North American tour.

Supporters of nominees and members of the Alliance for Urban Animals are welcome to attend this adjudication session. The event will begin at 0830hrs and include a luncheon. Event fees are $35 if paid in advance or $50 at the door. Register online! People in the Atlantic region should jump at the opportunity to attend this event and support initiatives born in their area. The Atlantic Region Action Council will review the potential Urban Animal initiatives to move forward during 2015; TWO of which were started in the Atlantic region by local nominees:

• Prince Street Puppy Project - Enriching the education experience for special needs students
• WOOF - Enriching the rehabilitation experience for animals and inmates
• Off-Leash Ambassador Program - Enriching the recreation experience for people and pets in public spaces

The Adjudication Events provide opportunities to support program nominees as they strive to win a Scholarship and for fellowship with peers in the region. Those wishing to be involved in the Summit Awards Program are also invited to attend to solicit support for their nomination from their peers and members of the adjudication panel.

Scholarship recipients are awarded a full delegate package to attend and present at the 2015 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in Alberta on October 14-17. Scholarships are valued at up to $2,700 and include Summit registration fees, meals, gratuities, accommodations, and up to $550 in travel subsidies.

Adjudicators Announced for Atlantic Adjudication Event!

The Atlantic Adjudication Event will be presided over by four leading professionals. Each has a broad understanding of the experience of people and pets in our communities as well as the history to judge presentations from the Urban Animal Scholarship nominees. The 2015 Adjudicators for the Atlantic Adjudication Event are:

Line Champagne, CMA, FCMA

Ms. Champagne is an Urban Animal mentor, and professional accountant with a 35 year career spanning private and public sectors. She recently retired from a distinguished career with the Executive Cadre of the Federal Public Service. Ms. Champagne was the President of the Society of Management of Nova Scotia, a former member of the CKC Finance and Audit committee and a well known world class breeder of Standard Schnauzers.

Angela Poirier

Ms. Poirer is an Urban Animal mentor from her career as a senior policy analyst with the government of Nova Scotia. She received an Urban Animal Summit Award (Product/Service Innovation) in 2013 for kick starting the WOOF program (Working On Our Future), a partnership between the Department of Justice and the Nova Scotia SPCA where offenders help socialize dogs to increase their adoptability. Ms. Poirer has an extensive background in policy development and communications with a Masters in Public Administration from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University.

Cathy Prothro

Ms. Prothro is an Urban Animal mentor and advocate as well as  a Lifetime Member of CKC, having provided 30 years of service to the BSL, RDOG and Breeder Relations committees. She is a founder of the Dog Legislation Council of Canada and is a noted Breeder (Barbery Coast Amstaffs) and Breed Specialist for American Staffordshire Terriers.

Doug Roberts, DVM

Dr. Roberts is an Urban Animal advocate with an extensive background in his profession. He is a second generation Veterinarian, a Past President of the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association (NSVMA), a Past President of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and was a member of the Advisory Council of the Atlantic Veterinary College. He is an internationally known veterinarian with a passion for enriching the lives of people and animals in communities around the Cornwallis Veterinary practices and across Canada.

Two Weeks Until the Atlantic Adjudcation Event in Halifax, NS

Still Accepting New Nominees!

This adjudication event will be held on Tuesday May 19th at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Nominees will present their work towards one of the four Urban Animal Programs: Emerging Leaders, Research Posters, Digital Journalists, and Innovation Showcases.

Supporters of nominees and members of the Alliance for Urban Animals are welcome to attend this adjudication session. The event will run from 8:30AM  to 4PM and include a luncheon. Event fees are $35 if paid in advance or $50 at the door. Register online!

The Adjudication Events provide opportunities to support program nominees as they strive to win a Scholarship and for fellowship with peers in the region. Those wishing to be involved in the Summit Awards Program are also invited to attend to solicit support for their nomination from their peers and members of the adjudication panel.

Scholarship recipients are awarded a full delegate package to attend and present at the 2015 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in Alberta on October 14-17. Scholarships are valued at up to $2,700 and include Summit registration fees, meals, gratuities, accommodations, and up to $550 in travel subsidies.

Top Ten Reasons to Attend an Urban Animal Adjudication Event!

The first of four Urban Animal Adjudication Events held last week in Calgary was a success. Leading up to the Pacific Event in Vancouver on May 5, and the Atlantic and Central Events (May 19 and June 11). Urban Animal is focused on highlighting the top TEN reasons you should attend one of these exciting functions.

1. Innovation Showcases: Unique and inspiring programs from across North America are illuminated during the Innovation Showcase. This scholarship program has introduced nationally recognized programs such as Paws Fur Thought, the Prince Street Puppy Project, Happy Healthy Pet Relationships, and Off-Leash Ambassadors. Come and check out what is new and exciting in your region!
2. Research Posters: From the human-animal bond to community health and dog parks, researchers have been under-utilized by the Urban Animal™ industry. This program delivers new thought and evidence that improves the pet experience in urban municipalities where a healthy, wholesome environment for all Urban Animals (human and non-human) must exist.
3. Digital Journalists: Digital journalists have done more to change behaviors and culture in our communities than than ever before. They are the new advocates and ambassadors of everything important to today's consumers. Digital journalists help deliver consistent and common messaging; they are the key to communicating with consumers and each other. This program showcases these important individuals.
4. Emerging Leaders: There are individuals among us who toil in the trenches, dedicate their spare time and energy to creating healthy communities for pets and people. The Emerging Leader Scholarships provide an opportunity to recognize these individuals and elevate their status among leaders of the industry.
5. Collaboration: Past Urban Animal events have opened up the doors for collaboration between industry sectors. Conversations started and relationships formed have led to successful projects and programs.
6. HAVE YOUR SAY!: The adjudication process is aggregated with points given by the adjudication panel as well as a poll taken from the audience in the room. Want to see a certain program or individual win an Urban Animal scholarship? By attending the event you’ll be able to provide your two cents on who should move forward!
7. Networking opportunities: Industry leaders, emerging leaders, researchers, innovators, and everyone in between attend these Adjudication Events. If you want to mingle with the industry’s brightest minds, you’ll attend too.
8. Select Foundation Initiatives: Attendees will be considering how to move forward to replicate with the current cohort of initiatives (3) for the Urban Animal Foundation:

1. The Prince Street Puppy Project
2. Working On Our Future
3. Off-Leash Ambassadors

9. Help source possible Foundation Initiatives: We will be casting around for any projects that should come forward at the 2015 Summit. Replicating projects that have found success in one region or community is large part of the mission for Urban Animal.
10. Great rates!: The smaller, more focused Adjudication Event lowered the cost for participants and guests while adding intensity to actionable conversations in the Alliance for Urban Animals. It’s only $35 to attend! Register today!

Urban Animal Adjudication Summaries Released!

Innovators, Emerging Leaders, Researchers, Digital Journalists and those competing for Summit Awards will be identified by their peers in each region. Each of these nominees will appear before a panel of adjudicators chosen from Alumni, Mentors and Advocates in each region. This panel will select those receiving scholarships to attend the annual Summit for Urban Animal Strategies. The Action Council of the Urban Animal Foundation will confer these scholarships in a process aimed at bringing the top nominees in North America to present to the 2015 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in October.

ADJUDICATION will ensure Urban Animal Scholarships are invested in the best ideas and people to drive successful Urban Animal programs.

For the first time ever, the Adjudication Summaries are now available to everyone. All sections will receive a score from 0-9 with a median of 5. Each Adjudication Summary is tailored to a specific Scholarship Program to ensure that nominees are rated by the most important qualities. However, all nominees will be rated on:

• Presentation: Presenter begins with a summary statement, is professional, easy to comprehend, has a compelling approach.
• Relevancy: Solves a dilemma and/or enriches the experience for people and pets in communities.
• Subject Matter Knowledge: Presenter instills a level of confidence regarding the evidence and knowledge presented.
• Collaboration: Promotes collaboration between stakeholders.
• Communication Skills: Nominee has the written and verbal communication skills to champion subject and present a compelling story in the next round of competition.
• Performance: Promptness, use of time, preparedness, confidence, ability to answer adjudicator questions, appearance.

Adjudicators Announced for Pacific Adjudication Event!

The Pacific Adjudication Event will be presided over by four leading professionals. Each has a broad understanding of the experience of people and pets in our communities as well as the history to judge presentations from the Urban Animal Scholarship nominees.

Dr. Sarah Armstrong

Dr. Armstrong graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College (2007). During her time at the Ontario Veterinary College she participated in the Global Vets program and travelled to East Africa.  

Dr. Armstrong is currently a practicing veterinarian at the Vancouver Animal Emergency Clinic and president of the CVMA SBCV chapter. Dr Armstrong is a registrant of the College of Veterinarians of British Columbia and is the president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Society of British Columbia Veterinarians Chapter.  

Dr. Susan Calverley

Dr. Calverley graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (1991) and currently practices small animal medicine at her clinic, Mission Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Calverley has a keen interest in animal rehabilitation and physiotherapy. In 2006 Dr. Calverley began pursuing an education in animal rehabilitation with the Canine Rehab Institute and became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist in 2009.

Dr. Calverley is also the owner and medical director of OrthoPets Canada, a company that manufactures custom orthotic and prosthetic devices for animals. She assists animals and their families across Canada with pain assessments and mobility evaluations. Dr. Calverley is a registrant of the College of Veterinarians of British Columbia and the International Veterinary Association of Pain Management.

Andrea McDonald   

Ms. MacDonald is the manager of Bylaw, Licensing and Animal Services for the City of Coquitlam. Ms. MacDonald worked in recreation and parks for 20 years before she was approached by the City of Coquitlam for the position of Manager of Bylaws, Licensing and Animal Services in 2004. Open to new opportunities, Ms. MacDonald accepted the position.

Along with Sarah Bull, Ms. MacDonald spearheaded the ‘Happy, Healthy Pet Relationships’ initiative; a collaboration that unifies service providers and brings community-wide support to all pet owners.

Steve Simmonds   

Mr. Simmonds is the manager of Animal Services for the City of Vancouver where he advocates for dog licensing and public education. Mr. Simmonds is the former Vice President of the License Inspectors and Bylaw Officers Association (LIBOA) of British Columbia; an organization that “strives to promote a high standard of inspection and enforcement services”.