Open Door Veterinary Collective Webcast Series
Doors Wide Open: Pawsitive Peer Support: Helping Each Other Without the Heavy Load
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 @ 12pm PT - 12:30pm PT
Join Open Door Veterinary Collective for a second series of lively conversations as we explore innovative and practical solutions that organizations are using to address barriers to accessing pet care and resources in their communities.
Animal welfare work is rewarding - and often emotionally intense! In this 30-minute webcast, we’ll explore how to support each other in ways that strengthen connection without adding emotional strain. You’ll learn practical tools for peer debriefs that allow space for processing difficult experiences without “trauma dumping”, including strategies to listen with care, respond with empathy, and keep both the speaker and the listener/supporter resilient!
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Explain the difference between healthy peer support and trauma dumping.
- Use low-impact debrief techniques to process challenging situations with colleagues.
- Apply active listening skills that reduce emotional overload for both parties.
- Understand how to compassionately set boundaries around support provision.
Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards CAWA CEs as well as from the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA).
Speaker: Janet Hoy-Gerlach, PhD, LCSW, LISW-S, Director of Veterinary Social Work, Open Door Veterinary Collective
Come with your lunch and your questions! This will be an engaging, real-world conversation about advancing human and animal well-being together.
Register For Doors Wide Open Webcast Series
Who should attend? Everyone is welcome! This series is perfect for those interested or involved in access to veterinary care. Each session will be recorded and viewable on-demand within a few days after the event.
Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards CAWA CEs as well as from the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA).
Questions on the topic? Ask them to the guest speakers on the Forum discussion thread!
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