Animal Welfare Professionals

Watch our open, informal 30-minute conversation and Q+A with @Ed Jamison, Director of Dallas Animal Services, hosted by our own @Mary Ippoliti-Smith on Wednesday, March 23rd at 12pm (PT). Learn and be inspired by Ed's journey promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in his daily work.

Come away with ideas to keep more people and pets together through respect and appreciation as valuable members of your community.

Press play on the video below to watch and use this thread to continue the conversation with Ed and ask any questions or share your thoughts on the topic!

​

#OrganizationalManagement

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Charlotte Otero
Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
she/her
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Can't wait for this!  Ed you are STAR!   And Mary's going to make it fun and inviting and just cool.

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alison gibson
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What a great opportunity to hear more about Ed's work - Very excited for this!

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Caitlin Quinn
HeARTs Speak
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what a great session just now! You are a rockstar Ed!

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Sharon Fletcher
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Thanks so much for the wonderful conversation today, Ed! I have a question about how your team represents themselves when they're going out into the community. Are they in DAS shirts, uniforms or some other indicator that they're part of the DAS? Are you going door to door introducing yourselves and seeing if anyone needs any particular help or services or is it more of driving through the streets, waving and talking to anyone who approaches your team?

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Charlotte Otero
Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
she/her
------------------------------

Hi Charlotte.... Prior to COVID we had a team walking door to door throughout the neighborhoods introducing themselves, explaining City Codes, and identifying resources. The plan is for this to get broken down into City District Resource Officers after COVID, so each community will have that "go to person" in their area that they can connect directly with.  All DAS team members are in uniform when they are in the community.

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Ed Jamison
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 12:39 PM
From: Charlotte Otero
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Thanks so much for the wonderful conversation today, Ed! I have a question about how your team represents themselves when they're going out into the community. Are they in DAS shirts, uniforms or some other indicator that they're part of the DAS? Are you going door to door introducing yourselves and seeing if anyone needs any particular help or services or is it more of driving through the streets, waving and talking to anyone who approaches your team?

------------------------------
Charlotte Otero
Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
she/her
------------------------------

Hi Ed!

Since you mentioned making duckling ramps, I am faced with trying to build 5-10 for my neighborhood as duckling season has begun. The lagoons are about 1 foot deep, and our HOA probably doesn't want us to just plop wooden planks down. Do you have any suggestions on the best and most cost-effective way to create ramps? Please be as detailed as possible, e.g., "Go to Home Depot and purchase these materials."

Here are pictures of a ramp built by a neighbor, and the adorable family of ducks. Thanks!

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Irene Chansawang
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Hi Irene... Depending on how deep it is at the edge, bricks or rocks are the easiest, cheapest, and least cumbersome looking.

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Ed Jamison
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 12:45 PM
From: Irene Chansawang
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Ed!

Since you mentioned making duckling ramps, I am faced with trying to build 5-10 for my neighborhood as duckling season has begun. The lagoons are about 1 foot deep, and our HOA probably doesn't want us to just plop wooden planks down. Do you have any suggestions on the best and most cost-effective way to create ramps? Please be as detailed as possible, e.g., "Go to Home Depot and purchase these materials."

Here are pictures of a ramp built by a neighbor, and the adorable family of ducks. Thanks!

------------------------------
Irene Chansawang
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 3/23/2021 3:45:00 PM
From: Irene Chansawang
Subject: RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Ed!

Since you mentioned making duckling ramps, I am faced with trying to build 5-10 for my neighborhood as duckling season has begun. The lagoons are about 1 foot deep, and our HOA probably doesn't want us to just plop wooden planks down. Do you have any suggestions on the best and most cost-effective way to create ramps? Please be as detailed as possible, e.g., "Go to Home Depot and purchase these materials."

Here are pictures of a ramp built by a neighbor, and the adorable family of ducks. Thanks!

------------------------------
Irene Chansawang
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Hi Augusta, 

Here's the link to watch the recording and see the comments from the chat:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/JPJVK0gcc58JZsBWQCByCLKZ9fhCGe2xV2gvkaebqPcqq7bZYPgpHznSNAI668BA.NyIgjqw54QzYQ2EW

------------------------------
Charlotte Otero
Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
she/her
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 01:28 PM
From: Augusta Farley
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

How can I watch this presentation again? I missed 15 min. Tx

Augusta 

Original Message:
Sent: 3/23/2021 3:45:00 PM
From: Irene Chansawang
Subject: RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Ed!

Since you mentioned making duckling ramps, I am faced with trying to build 5-10 for my neighborhood as duckling season has begun. The lagoons are about 1 foot deep, and our HOA probably doesn't want us to just plop wooden planks down. Do you have any suggestions on the best and most cost-effective way to create ramps? Please be as detailed as possible, e.g., "Go to Home Depot and purchase these materials."

Here are pictures of a ramp built by a neighbor, and the adorable family of ducks. Thanks!

------------------------------
Irene Chansawang
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Hi Irene and Ed.  Here's a link to the Dallas Morning News article about Ed's tenure at DAS including a picture of his ramp:  https://www.dallasnews.com/news/commentary/2021/03/15/ed-jamison-fixed-dallas-broken-animal-shelter-and-curbed-loose-dogs-heres-why-hes-leaving-das/

Ed's such an animal people person - he travels around with a cement brick and cardboard (probably a cat carrier) in case of a duck rescue emergency.  What a guy!!!!!

------------------------------
Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Maddie's Fund
510-453-4773
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 12:45 PM
From: Irene Chansawang
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Ed!

Since you mentioned making duckling ramps, I am faced with trying to build 5-10 for my neighborhood as duckling season has begun. The lagoons are about 1 foot deep, and our HOA probably doesn't want us to just plop wooden planks down. Do you have any suggestions on the best and most cost-effective way to create ramps? Please be as detailed as possible, e.g., "Go to Home Depot and purchase these materials."

Here are pictures of a ramp built by a neighbor, and the adorable family of ducks. Thanks!

------------------------------
Irene Chansawang
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Haha! I love it! Thanks for finding this article, Mary!

------------------------------
Irene Chansawang
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 03:12 PM
From: Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Irene and Ed.  Here's a link to the Dallas Morning News article about Ed's tenure at DAS including a picture of his ramp:  https://www.dallasnews.com/news/commentary/2021/03/15/ed-jamison-fixed-dallas-broken-animal-shelter-and-curbed-loose-dogs-heres-why-hes-leaving-das/

Ed's such an animal people person - he travels around with a cement brick and cardboard (probably a cat carrier) in case of a duck rescue emergency.  What a guy!!!!!

------------------------------
Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Maddie's Fund
510-453-4773
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 12:45 PM
From: Irene Chansawang
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Ed!

Since you mentioned making duckling ramps, I am faced with trying to build 5-10 for my neighborhood as duckling season has begun. The lagoons are about 1 foot deep, and our HOA probably doesn't want us to just plop wooden planks down. Do you have any suggestions on the best and most cost-effective way to create ramps? Please be as detailed as possible, e.g., "Go to Home Depot and purchase these materials."

Here are pictures of a ramp built by a neighbor, and the adorable family of ducks. Thanks!

------------------------------
Irene Chansawang
Maddie's Fund

Thanks so much, Ed!

------------------------------
Irene Chansawang
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 03:19 PM
From: Irene Chansawang
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Haha! I love it! Thanks for finding this article, Mary!

------------------------------
Irene Chansawang
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 03:12 PM
From: Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Irene and Ed.  Here's a link to the Dallas Morning News article about Ed's tenure at DAS including a picture of his ramp:  https://www.dallasnews.com/news/commentary/2021/03/15/ed-jamison-fixed-dallas-broken-animal-shelter-and-curbed-loose-dogs-heres-why-hes-leaving-das/

Ed's such an animal people person - he travels around with a cement brick and cardboard (probably a cat carrier) in case of a duck rescue emergency.  What a guy!!!!!

------------------------------
Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Maddie's Fund
510-453-4773


Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 12:45 PM
From: Irene Chansawang
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Ed!

Since you mentioned making duckling ramps, I am faced with trying to build 5-10 for my neighborhood as duckling season has begun. The lagoons are about 1 foot deep, and our HOA probably doesn't want us to just plop wooden planks down. Do you have any suggestions on the best and most cost-effective way to create ramps? Please be as detailed as possible, e.g., "Go to Home Depot and purchase these materials."

Here are pictures of a ramp built by a neighbor, and the adorable family of ducks. Thanks!

------------------------------
Irene Chansawang
Maddie's Fund

I'm getting a message that I have to pay. Any way to get free access?

------------------------------
Augusta Farley
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 03:12 PM
From: Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Irene and Ed.  Here's a link to the Dallas Morning News article about Ed's tenure at DAS including a picture of his ramp:  https://www.dallasnews.com/news/commentary/2021/03/15/ed-jamison-fixed-dallas-broken-animal-shelter-and-curbed-loose-dogs-heres-why-hes-leaving-das/

Ed's such an animal people person - he travels around with a cement brick and cardboard (probably a cat carrier) in case of a duck rescue emergency.  What a guy!!!!!

------------------------------
Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Maddie's Fund
510-453-4773
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 12:45 PM
From: Irene Chansawang
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Ed!

Since you mentioned making duckling ramps, I am faced with trying to build 5-10 for my neighborhood as duckling season has begun. The lagoons are about 1 foot deep, and our HOA probably doesn't want us to just plop wooden planks down. Do you have any suggestions on the best and most cost-effective way to create ramps? Please be as detailed as possible, e.g., "Go to Home Depot and purchase these materials."

Here are pictures of a ramp built by a neighbor, and the adorable family of ducks. Thanks!

------------------------------
Irene Chansawang
Maddie's Fund

Hi Augusta.  My bad for not realizing that the newspaper link was limited in free access.  Here's a PDF of the article.

------------------------------
Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Maddie's Fund
510-453-4773
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 08:53 PM
From: Augusta Farley
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

I'm getting a message that I have to pay. Any way to get free access?

------------------------------
Augusta Farley
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 03:12 PM
From: Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Irene and Ed.  Here's a link to the Dallas Morning News article about Ed's tenure at DAS including a picture of his ramp:  https://www.dallasnews.com/news/commentary/2021/03/15/ed-jamison-fixed-dallas-broken-animal-shelter-and-curbed-loose-dogs-heres-why-hes-leaving-das/

Ed's such an animal people person - he travels around with a cement brick and cardboard (probably a cat carrier) in case of a duck rescue emergency.  What a guy!!!!!

------------------------------
Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Maddie's Fund
510-453-4773


Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 12:45 PM
From: Irene Chansawang
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Ed!

Since you mentioned making duckling ramps, I am faced with trying to build 5-10 for my neighborhood as duckling season has begun. The lagoons are about 1 foot deep, and our HOA probably doesn't want us to just plop wooden planks down. Do you have any suggestions on the best and most cost-effective way to create ramps? Please be as detailed as possible, e.g., "Go to Home Depot and purchase these materials."

Here are pictures of a ramp built by a neighbor, and the adorable family of ducks. Thanks!

------------------------------
Irene Chansawang
Maddie's Fund

Thank you, Mary. That was an enlightening read re Dallas's progress. Augusta

------------------------------
Augusta Farley
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-24-2021 06:46 AM
From: Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Augusta.  My bad for not realizing that the newspaper link was limited in free access.  Here's a PDF of the article.

------------------------------
Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Maddie's Fund
510-453-4773
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 08:53 PM
From: Augusta Farley
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

I'm getting a message that I have to pay. Any way to get free access?

------------------------------
Augusta Farley


Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 03:12 PM
From: Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Irene and Ed.  Here's a link to the Dallas Morning News article about Ed's tenure at DAS including a picture of his ramp:  https://www.dallasnews.com/news/commentary/2021/03/15/ed-jamison-fixed-dallas-broken-animal-shelter-and-curbed-loose-dogs-heres-why-hes-leaving-das/

Ed's such an animal people person - he travels around with a cement brick and cardboard (probably a cat carrier) in case of a duck rescue emergency.  What a guy!!!!!

------------------------------
Mary Ippoliti-Smith
Maddie's Fund
510-453-4773


Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 12:45 PM
From: Irene Chansawang
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

Hi Ed!

Since you mentioned making duckling ramps, I am faced with trying to build 5-10 for my neighborhood as duckling season has begun. The lagoons are about 1 foot deep, and our HOA probably doesn't want us to just plop wooden planks down. Do you have any suggestions on the best and most cost-effective way to create ramps? Please be as detailed as possible, e.g., "Go to Home Depot and purchase these materials."

Here are pictures of a ramp built by a neighbor, and the adorable family of ducks. Thanks!

------------------------------
Irene Chansawang
Maddie's Fund

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Hi Ed,
Thanks for all you do!
I'm posting anonymously since this case is still open. But our (very awesome) ACO is currently investigating an "abuse" case, which she has determined not to be abuse, but rather people who love their dog and need help (education + financial assistance for vet care).  We have provided them free vet care and she continues to work with the owner towards a good outcome. However, the neighbors who called in the complaint, are now beating her up on social media (Nextdoor, Facebook etc.), claiming she is incompetent, posting photos of her helping them in their yard and making mean comments, etc. Do you have any advice? She is a strong, capable woman but this has been really upsetting to her.

These situations are tough, and one that we all in the industry deal with often.  The lines between cruelty, intentional neglect, and the need for resources that will improve the animal's life are confused by many. From a practical standpoint, taking a case to court that doesn't meet the legal definition of cruelty will hurt the officer's efforts in the long run when there are clear cut cases. Hopefully the jurisdiction the ACO works for is supportive and can help with public messaging about the laws, and about the City/County wanting to help its residents whenever possible.

------------------------------
Ed Jamison
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2021 01:14 PM
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Hi Ed,
Thanks for all you do!
I'm posting anonymously since this case is still open. But our (very awesome) ACO is currently investigating an "abuse" case, which she has determined not to be abuse, but rather people who love their dog and need help (education + financial assistance for vet care).  We have provided them free vet care and she continues to work with the owner towards a good outcome. However, the neighbors who called in the complaint, are now beating her up on social media (Nextdoor, Facebook etc.), claiming she is incompetent, posting photos of her helping them in their yard and making mean comments, etc. Do you have any advice? She is a strong, capable woman but this has been really upsetting to her.