Seminars, Expos and Events - Find Them on What's Up?!

Looking for continuing education or networking opportunities, interesting summits, symposiums or trade shows?

Find them on the What’s Up?! Urban Animal Calendar.

2017 events include:

Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians Conference, March 2nd - 4th

Conference sessions cover a side variety of topics including: dentistry, anesthesia, large animal, shelter medicine, practice management, personal development and much more.

Global Pet Expo, March 22nd - 24th

Presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), this is the pet industry's largest annual trade show featuring the newest, most innovative pet products on the market today.

The 2016 show featured 1,087 exhibitors, 3,218 booths and more than 3,000 new product launches. 6,170 of the most qualified pet product buyers in the industry attended the show, including an impressive number of international retailers.

Social Media Marketing World, March 22nd - 24th

Join 4,000 fellow marketers at the mega-conference designed to inspire and empower you with social media marketing ideas—brought to you by Social Media Examiner.

National Animal Welfare Conference, April 8th - 11th

It is Canada’s only animal welfare industry event that represents the entire diversity of animal welfare leaders in Canada. Whether you work with a humane society, SPCA, animal rescue, advocacy group, animal control, conservation, an academic institution or the government – or are just interested in animal welfare, the conference will arm you with the information, tools and training you need to help build a Humane Canada.

Human-Animal Interaction Conference, April 28th - 29th

This focused meeting will offer a background on enhancing and supporting family-centered humane education and therapeutic animal-assisted interventions, and will demonstrate how experiential learning in nature-based settings can be impactful for communities.

Step into Green Chimneys’ “living laboratory” and learn about the school, farm & wildlife center and residential treatment program. Meet professionals in the field and leave with inspirational and practical ideas.

National Pet Industry Trade Show, September 17th - 18th

PIJAC Canada’s largest trade show, it is the place to be to make important industry contacts from across North America. In addition to discovering the newest products and the latest technology, clients and suppliers can connect, network and participate in our special events and seminars.

Pet Professional Guild Summit, November 16th - 20th

The force free summit has three and a half days of lectures and hands-on workshops with training and behaviour experts.

There are many more events that feature animal behaviour, pet retail, the human animal bond, animal welfare, pet food and more. Visit What’s Up?! and check regularly for updates.

To have your event featured on the calendar email editor@petlynxmail.com.

Meet Alberta's Working Dogs - September 17th

The third annual Working Dogs Day takes place tomorrow - Saturday, September 17th from 11am til 2pm - at Bowmont Off-Leash Park in Calgary.

Working Dogs Day will feature demonstrations from working dogs and their handlers from the Calgary Police Service, Calgary Fire Department, Animal & Bylaw Services, Calgary Search & Rescue Association, PADS Calgary (Pacific Assistance Dogs Society), PALS (Pet Access League Society), Canada Border Services Agency, CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind), Water Inspection Sniffer Dogs and RCMP Police Dog Services.

Attendees can bring their own dogs, treat them to a free nail trim and learn from dog behaviour and pet first aid specialists.

Along with the working dog demonstrations, agility, flyball and discus will also be showcased.

The event is part of the City of Calgary’s Off-Leash Ambassador Program which was launched in 2013 and nominated in 2014 for the Urban Animal Innovation Showcase.

The program features volunteers who promote Calgary’s Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw and encourage positive pet interactions and safety in off-leash parks. This is accomplished through education, demonstrations and discussions led by the ambassadors who act as community liaisons and positive role models in off-leash areas.

Urban Animal launched the Innovation Showcase in 2013 to discover innovative projects that could be replicated across the Urban Animal industry.

What's Up?! Share Events on InfoStream

Do you have an event, conference or educational opportunity you'd like to promote? Chances are, InfoStream readers are the perfect audience for it.

What's Up?! Urban Animal Calendar features a wide variety of animal industry events. You can find details about upcoming local, national and international pet industry trade shows, veterinary conferences, and animal welfare conferences. 

Share your event on InfoStream by sending the details to infostreameditor@gmail.com.

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!