Thank you, Namiko, for the recommendation for my webinar. If anyone has additional questions after viewing it, please feel free to email me at miranda.workman@aspca.org.
Dr. Workman
Original Message:
Sent: 05-07-2026 07:59 AM
From: Namiko Ota-Noveskey
Subject: Community Conversations - 05/04/2026 - Decision Making in Complex Cases
I didn't get into details much but if anyone is interested in learning more about behavior euthanasia pathways, Dr. Workman has a great webinar/presentation via ASPCA Pro. There is also a link included to access supporting documents.
https://www.aspcapro.org/training/webinar/northern-tier-shelter-initiative-zoomies-behavior-pathway-resources-tools-trade
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Namiko Ota-Noveskey
Program Supervisor
Kent County Animal Shelter
Grand Rapids MI
Original Message:
Sent: 05-05-2026 04:57 PM
From: Sheila Kouhkan
Subject: Community Conversations - 05/04/2026 - Decision Making in Complex Cases
Thanks to the 128+ people and paws who joined us on today's Community Conversations call! The recording is now available to watch on-demand. Below you'll find a recap of today's call and the resources shared.
Call Recap
Welcome from hosts
Question of the Day: What's one positive trend you've seen recently in animal well-being?
National Updates
- Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection – free webcast this Thursday at 12 pm Pacific!
- From Human Animal Support Services: We'd love to have you at our next HASS (Human and Animal Support Services) webinar where we will focus on the Human Commonalities Project we accomplished in 2025. Lee Ann Shenefiel, Sr. Director of Community Programs will be sharing her expertise and experience in building a coalition in Austin, along with exploring how human service providers and animal welfare organizations can work together to better support people and pets. Through data, pilot insights, and practical tools like ecosystem mapping, you'll learn how to identify gaps and build a more connected, prevention-focused system of care. Plus, hear directly from a guest speaker who is actively building and leveraging a coalition in her community, sharing real-world lessons you can apply right away. Thursday, May 14 at 1 p.m. Register here!
- From Community Cat Central: Every lost cat has a family wondering where they are. Join us for Strategies to Reunite Lost Cats with Families - you'll learn the tools and techniques that can help make those reunions happen. Every cat that finds their way home is a family made whole again - find out how you can help make that happen! May 13, 2026 at 2:00–3:30 PM ET. Register here. Scholarships are also available so you can attend for free! Learn more here.
- Maddie's Community Conversations Giveaway: Now you can enter for a chance to win up to $10,000! Enter here for a chance to win. Open to all who are watching live or on-demand! Be sure to enter each week you attend! You must be registered in Maddie's Pet Forum to enter.
- Maddie's Pet Forum Monthly Giveaway: Maddie's Fund® is giving away a $3,000 grant each month to one lucky Maddie's® Pet Forum member. You'll automatically be entered to win each month when you start a new discussion, reply to a new post. Learn more here.
- We would love to hear from you! Have an idea for Maddie's Community Conversations? Interested in hosting? Have a topic or speaker you would like to hear from? Let us know on Maddie's Pet Forum via the Community Conversations Suggestions discussion thread. Or, you can contact us directly by emailing CommunityConversations@maddiesfund.org.
Presentation: Decision Making in Complex Cases
Highlights from the Chat
- "Like what Shafonda was saying, looking at the animal and the human conditions (both ends of the leash) to keep them together." - Irene Chansawang
- "Yes, as someone said focus on assistance and education vs prosecution or taking pets away to place in shelter for euthanasia." - Heather Livingston
- "Oh my goodness, I feel like I need a peer review group for these complex cases; it's just not always as easy as a concrete policy and procedure or a veterinary decision..." - Julia Clodfelter
- "This makes me think of my current foster, a 2 yo GSD. He's doing amazingly well in foster care as opposed to the shy boy in the shelter." - Gretchen Shotwell
- "San Diego Humane Society's veterinary team conducts Compassion Rounds to discuss difficult cases on a more emotional level than the technical level. I hear they have been valuable." - Elkie Wills
- "To be fair...there is a horrific shortage of affordable pet friendly housing, and many people simply aren't able to afford housing that includes their animals." - Penny Paich-Caraway
- "Apartments can't deny kids. But they can deny dogs." - Kristin Moro
- "And loss of employment, no access to childcare, moving into parent's houses or apartments all contribute to a heartbreaking decision. As a session at Expo reminded us, it takes 3 times more effort to bring a pet to the shelter seeking help or surrender. Be kind, they're not dumping them. You are their only hope." - Lisa Pearce
- "Thank you, Namiko! Your kind heart is inspiring." - Lisa Pearce
- "Yes! Stress decreases while they are out but isn't higher than baseline on return. Short-term foster is like the weekend to our workweek!" - Sheila Segurson
- "And know that self-care can look different depending on what works for you! A hike works for some, while reading with a cup of tea works for others <3" - Jenna Riedi
- "I return because I love helping people and when they express appreciation to me or the organization - it keeps me going!!" - Bonnie Clark
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Sheila Kouhkan
Senior Education Specialist
Maddie's Fund
CA
Original Message:
Sent: 04-28-2026 06:38 PM
From: Sheila Kouhkan
Subject: Community Conversations - 05/04/2026 - Decision Making in Complex Cases
Updated 5/4/26 at 3:07 pm - Recording now available to watch on-demand!
Enter here for a chance to win the May Community Conversations giveaway after watching live or on-demand.
Please note: All views expressed on these calls are not necessarily endorsed by Maddie's Fund.
We hope to see you on the next Maddie's Community Conversation on Monday, May 4, 2026 at 11am PT / 2pm ET for "Decision Making in Complex Cases," a conversation with Namiko Ota-Noveskey, MS, CAWA from Kent County Animal Shelter.
This presentation will offer experienced guidance in navigating complex cases where behavioral, medical, and welfare factors intersect, with thoughtful consideration of available capacity and resources. This session supports animal welfare professionals in carefully evaluating quality of life and, when necessary, making humane end-of-life decisions with compassion, sensitivity, and respect. Namiko will share about how to create space for collaboration, understanding, and shared purpose, helping teams find common ground and move forward with clarity and confidence during challenging moments.
This session is ideal for adoptions and foster staff & volunteers, return to home & intake prevention staff, veterinary professionals, and behavior staff & volunteers - but all are welcome.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Don't forget! Maddie's Fund will be giving away up to $10,000 in grants each month! You can enter for a chance to win each time you attend a call or watch it on demand during the month by completing the monthly giveaway drawing entry form.
Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom.
🧠Got Topic or Speaker Suggestions?
We want to hear your ideas! If there's a topic you're curious about or a speaker you'd love to hear from, please share your suggestions with us on our Community Conversations Suggestions thread.
Looking forward to being in community with you!
#EducationandTraining
#OrganizationalManagement
#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)
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Sheila Kouhkan
Senior Education Specialist
Maddie's Fund
CA
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