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Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

  • 1.  Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

    Posted 11-11-2025 01:01 PM

    Updated 11/17/25 at 2:41 pm - Recording now available to watch on-demand!

    Enter here for a chance to win the November 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, November 17, 2025 at 11am PT / 2pm ET  for "Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention," a panel discussion with @Kylie Ramos, Melissa Gómez, and @Jessica Bogosian, RVT from San Francisco SPCA.

    As the veterinary field faces ongoing challenges in recruitment, retention, and well-being, community-driven systems are emerging as key strategies to strengthen organizational culture and workforce sustainability. This Community Conversation will examine how prioritizing community engagement expands access to veterinary care for clients and pets while fostering a purpose-driven and resilient workforce.

    Through real-world examples, the discussion will highlight how partnerships with community organizations can create new pathways for veterinary talent and inspire future professionals. It will also explore how showcasing community impact can attract candidates who value purpose and connection.

    This session is especially relevant for adoptions and foster staff & volunteers, veterinary staff, behavior staff and volunteers, field services/animal control officers, grant writers/fundraisers, and community outreach teams - but all are welcome! 

    🔑 Key Takeaways:

    • Community-centered care not only builds trust and stronger client relationships, but it also creates a more supportive, purpose-driven work environment that attracts and retains veterinary professionals.

    • Maximizing the potential of each position within the veterinary team, improves efficiency, ensures smoother workflows, and provides stronger support to veterinarians.

    • Diverse teams don't just mirror the community. They understand its rhythms, languages, griefs, joys, and realities. When staff can show up as their full selves, they stay, grow, and pull others in with them. That's how we build a care system powered by lived experience, not assumptions.

    • The importance of building diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve is not only important in broadening access to care but in deepening community relationships and strengthening a team's bonds internally.


    Don't forget! $10,000 in grants each month!     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. If you have not re-registered for the new season, please do so today. 

    🧠 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! 


    #AccesstoCare
    #CommunityPartnerships*
    #Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice
    #EducationandTraining
    #OrganizationalManagement
    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

    ------------------------------
    Sheila Kouhkan
    Senior Education Specialist
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
    ------------------------------



  • 2.  RE: Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

    Posted 11-17-2025 02:31 PM

    Thanks to our panelists, @Kylie Ramos, @Jessica Bogosian, RVT, and @Melissa Gomez - and everyone who joined us today! 

    We would love to hear from you in response to today's reflection question: What would our field look like if community members weren't "recipients of care," but architects of the system itself?



    ------------------------------
    Sheila Kouhkan
    Senior Education Specialist
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

    Posted 11-17-2025 02:38 PM

    Unanswered question from the chat: 

    "I have a question from an international perspective. For organization like based in U.S. and operating abroad. What are some effective ways to build partnerships with U.S." - @Oyunbileg Gelegdorj



    ------------------------------
    Community Conversations
    Community Conversations Committee
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

    Posted 11-17-2025 04:17 PM

    Some of my own international outreach work were born from relationships that began online - particularly LinkedIn! I would highly recommend staying connected through platforms like this one and building your network - you never know where a conversation can take you! 🪄🐾



    ------------------------------
    Jessica Bogosian, RVT
    Director of Community Medicine Programs
    San Francisco SPCA
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

    Posted 11-17-2025 02:39 PM

    Unanswered question from the chat: 

    "Just curious - is there telemedicine within vet clinics?" - Paula Vergara



    ------------------------------
    Community Conversations
    Community Conversations Committee
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

    Posted 11-17-2025 04:17 PM

    Depending on which state you are in, telemedicine can be an extremely viable option for increasing access to care!



    ------------------------------
    Jessica Bogosian, RVT
    Director of Community Medicine Programs
    San Francisco SPCA
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

    Posted 11-17-2025 04:17 PM

    Hi Paula, 

    I'm unsure about nationally, but in California, yes. Assembly Bill 1399 was passed in 2023 and went into effect in 2024, allowing licensed CA veterinarians to establish a VCPR through video telehealth to assess whether a pet can be treated via telehealth, or if they need to be seen in person. There are some telehealth urgent/emergency services as well, like Vet Triage.



    ------------------------------
    Kylie Ramos
    Community Engagement Manager
    SF SPCA
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

    Posted 11-17-2025 02:40 PM

    Unanswered question from the chat: 

    "With the changes coming with SNAP benefits and the need to volunteer for people to access them, is there some set form/template that rescues can use to show volunteer hours for these individuals?" - @Kristen Dwyer



    ------------------------------
    Community Conversations
    Community Conversations Committee
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

    Posted 11-17-2025 03:43 PM

    As a follow-up to this, I work in workforce development and we are waiting on guidance around the need for documented volunteer hours for participants who are on SNAP. I also volunteer with a local dog rescue in Las Vegas that is all foster-based out of our homes, but we also do events and training days for the community, so was trying to think how we may be able to get more volunteers to assist our dogs. Thanks!



    ------------------------------
    Kristen Dwyer
    Development Volunteer
    Lost and Found Animal Foundation Rescue
    NV
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

    Posted 11-17-2025 04:17 PM

    @Kristen Dwyer You can find free templates to download online! I think as long as you have the organization's information, volunteer information, activity details (including date and length of time), and some form of verification such as a signature page for those signing off hours - you should be good! 



    ------------------------------
    Jessica Bogosian, RVT
    Director of Community Medicine Programs
    San Francisco SPCA
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

    Posted 11-17-2025 02:40 PM

    Unanswered question from the chat: 

    "Just curious - what is considered a large shelter, a medium shelter and a small shelter, number of animals wise?" - @Stephen Christian



    ------------------------------
    Community Conversations
    Community Conversations Committee
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

    Posted 11-17-2025 03:43 PM

    Thanks to the 117+ 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

    • Sheila Kouhkan, Senior Education Specialist, Maddie's Fund
    • @Amber Eby, Senior Grants Specialist, Maddie's Fund

    Question of the Day: What makes people more likely to stay in jobs?

    • "A sense of belonging" - Kelly Clardy
    • "Nice co-workers and benefits!" - Lisa Pearce
    • "Management experience" - Elkie Wills
    • "Balance" - Melissa Fitzgerald
    • "Feeling appreciated" - Penny Paich-Caraway
    • "Inclusive culture" - Patti Denny
    • "Benefits and pay but I know being dedicated to what I'm serving keeps me there." - Kristen Petrie
    • "Good manager.  Nice.  Promotes learning for staff.  Shows appreciation. Deals with issues quickly and correctly (not in front of everyone else)." - Kristin Moro
    • "Encouragement, a manager that's willing to help you get the jobs done." - Anita Selby
    • "For BIPOC, lack of micro/macroaggressions and not denying our lived experience goes a long way" - Nadia Oseguera-Ramon

    October Grant Winners

    National Updates

    • Understanding Tribal Sovereignty and Jurisdiction for Animal Welfare Professionals - Recording now available! 
      Effective and respectful partnerships with Tribal Nations require more than good intentions, they demand a foundational understanding of history, law and culture. Watch this special two-hour webcast designed for animal well-being professionals working alongside and in partnership with Tribal communities. Speakers include Karen Diver, former White House Special Assistant to President Obama and Marta Pierpoint, Executive Director, Humane Society of Western Montana. 
    • TNR Certification Workshop - Don't miss our TNR Certification Workshop, presented by our friends at Neighborhood Cats on 12/6 @ 2:00 PM ET!
      Get certified to safely and humanely TNR community cats in your area - you'll learn all the current best practices so it's great for newbies and the OGs who want to dial up their trapping skills.  Sign up today! 
    • Newly updated resources from HASS: Evidence for Supporting Human-Animal Bonds: Resource Collection. This update brings 26 new curated sources to the collection, which makes the case for supporting human-animal bonds, highlights the challenges pet owners face in keeping their pets, and offers solutions for impactful pet support services.
    • 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.  https://maddies.fund/mpfmonthlygiveaway.
    • 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.
    • The celebration continues on Maddie's Pet Forum! In honor of Maddie's Fund's 30th anniversary, we're giving away $1,000 every other month, for engaging on a special anniversary-related post on Maddie's Pet Forum beginning August 1, 2025. Simply comment on this thread during October & November and you will be entered to win. #ThanksToMaddie  


    Presentation: Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention


    Highlights from the Chat

    • "Here's Amber's Chihuahua, Mouse Labubu (next to my Rottie mix)." - Irene Chansawang
    • "LOVE the idea of a circle instead of a ladder!" - Amber Eby
    • "That's so true, Jessica! We are out here grinding in nonprofit-land. From the vet shortage pressing our staff to fundraising/grants. It's a lot." - Lisa Pearce
    • "Melissa- very true about support for those who have pets. So many owner surrenders and rehomes on social media." - Laura Shamrock
    • "Thank you so much! This is such an important presentation to me... Sol Dog Lodge is in the design stage and just beginning fundraising for a veterinary clinic." - Mary Flores
    • "Our volunteers make enrichment for shelter dogs, chill with dogs in our Real Life Rooms, set up the clinic and do laundry, walk dogs for the behavior team and so much more!" - Lisa Pearce
    • "This was a fantastic panel! What a helpful convo!" - Kristen Petrie



    ------------------------------
    Sheila Kouhkan
    Senior Education Specialist
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

    Posted 11-18-2025 07:22 AM

    Thank you so much! We truly appreciate your support. These discussions have helped us with great ideas to help our organization grow. I look forward to learning more.



    ------------------------------
    Jennifer Vasquez
    Director of Development
    Rio Grande Valley Humane Society
    Harlingen TX
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

    Posted 11-17-2025 04:16 PM

    Thank you all for having us! It was a pleasure to participate in such a wonderful discussion and I look forward to continuing the conversations!



    ------------------------------
    Jessica Bogosian, RVT
    Director of Community Medicine Programs
    San Francisco SPCA
    CA
    ------------------------------



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