Thank you for sharing this! Hope to see a bunch of new faces in upcoming trainings 😊
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Kaitlyn O'Neel
Veterinary Social Worker
Open Door Veterinary Collective
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2026 10:30 AM
From: Claire Schuch
Subject: Mental Health First Aid for Animal Welfare Professionals
Working in animal welfare (whether in animal control, veterinary care, or sheltering) can be incredibly meaningful, but also emotionally demanding. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is here to help.
MHFA is a skills-based, full-day virtual training that teaches participants how to recognize, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in your workplace and community. Like CPR for mental health, it equips you with practical tools to support someone in distress until professional help is available or the situation improves. Participants learn a simple five-step action plan (ALGEE) and upon successful completion of the course receive a certification that is valid for 3 years.
This training is offered through a partnership between the National Animal Control and Care Association (NACA) and Open Door Veterinary Collective (ODVC) and is available virtually to any animal welfare professionals in the United States.
View upcoming courses and register here: Mental Health First Aid Training
Cost: $170 per participant (includes materials and certification)
#Advocacy #StaffMembers #Conferences,WorkshopsandWebcasts #EducationandTraining #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration) #FieldServicesandPublicSafety* #OperationalPlanning #StrategicPlanning #PublicOutreach #AccesstoCare #VeterinarySocialWork #OneHealth #Education
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Claire Schuch, PhD
Associate Director for Research
Program for Pet Health Equity
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
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