Animal Welfare Professionals

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
------------------------------

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
------------------------------

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

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
------------------------------

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
------------------------------

Unanswered question from the chat: 

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

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
------------------------------

Unanswered question from the chat: 

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

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
------------------------------

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
------------------------------

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

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
------------------------------

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

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
------------------------------

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
------------------------------

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
------------------------------

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?

October Grant Winners

• Maddie's Community Conversations Giveaway Winners of $2,500 each
  • @Melissa Fitzgerald, Pawfect Life Rescue
  • @Jennifer Vasquez, Rio Grande Valley Humane Services
  • @Rebecca Bigelow, Lilac City Pup Project
  • @Patricia Burg, Erie County SPCA
    
    

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

• Panelists:
  • @Kylie Ramos, Senior Central Valley Community Engagement Manager
  • @Jessica Bogosian, RVT, Director of Community Medicine Programs
  • Melissa Gomez, Community Workforce Manager
• Resources:
  • San Francisco SPCA website

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

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2025 01:00 PM
From: Sheila Kouhkan
Subject: Community Conversations - 11/17/2025 - Community-Driven Recruitment and Retention

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
------------------------------

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
------------------------------