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GEEK WEEK 2021
PPG will honor the efforts of animal shelter and rescue organizations with underlying theme “The Love of Rescue” at Geek Week 2021
PPG, along with its Geek Week cohosting organizations (Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Australia, INTODogs UK, Pet Professional Guild Australia, and Pet Professional Guild British Isles), is passionate about the efforts and hard work animal shelter and rescue organizations make to help rehome and support animals in need.
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While PPG has a special membership level for shelter and rescue groups, it is now furthering its commitment to their cause by honoring their efforts. Geek Week is a virtual educational event for pet training and behavior professionals taking place on November 1317, 2021.
The Love of Rescue
The underlying theme for Geek Week 2021 – The Sequel is The Love of Rescue, where PPG will bring attention to the underdogs of second chances. This includes: • Each presenter being granted 3 FREE tickets to assign to a rescue organization of their choice. If they do not have a preference, then the tickets will supplement our Rescue and Shelter Scholarship Program allocation. • The Shelter and Rescue Scholarship Program, whereby recipients receive Geek Week 2021 tickets. There is a short application form to complete before the presidents of our cohosting organizations judge the applicants and announce the winners. • Shelter and Rescue teams will receive a group rate for tickets as follows: · $100 per person for groups of 4 or more (50% discount). · $70 per person for groups larger than 8 (75% discount).
Geek Week Chat
The Geek Week virtual platform will also be configured to provide a special chat area for rescue and shelter folks. On this thread, you can promote fundraising opportunities, promote responsible adoptions, and network with trainers in your geographical area to establish connections that will help you, and the animals in your charge, in the future.
In the meantime, check out the Pet Rescue Resource, which offers free training and behavior tool kits for shelter and rescue organizations. PPG launched the Pet Rescue Resource program in 2019. Designed by the PPG Rescue and Shelter Division and supported by Jean Donaldson and the Academy for Dog Trainers, it is an independent website with a variety of essential tools to help support rescue organizations. The Pet Rescue Resource is an online tool kit for shelters and rescues designed to improve adoption and retention rates of homeless pets. The resource includes articles, stepbystep training plans and videos designed to support staff and volunteers in addressing common behavior and welfare issues.
Focused Sessions
During the fiveday Geek Week 2021 event, K. Holden Svirsky, representing the PPG Rescue and Shelter Division, will present They Just Want to Play: Increasing Welfare, Reducing Shelter Length of Stay and Increasing Live Outcomes for Dogs with Barrier Frustration. In this session, Svirsky will provide attendees with an overview of the extensive Playgroup Project PPG rolled out as part of the Pet Rescue Resource, which is available for all pet professionals to share and utilize. And Dr. Lisa Gunter will host two General Sessions titled Investigating the Ef‐fects of Housing and Social Interaction on the Welfare of Dogs Living in Animal Shelters and Emergency Fostering of Dogs from Animal Shelters During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Shelter Practices, Foster Engagement, and Dog Outcomes.
In addition to these focused sessions, the Geek Week 2021 schedule is filled with presentations from academics who support and work within the rescue arena and trainers who understand the challenges rescues face on a daily basis.
To all of you in the shelter and rescue environment, we thank you for the heart and hard work you invest in your mission and look forward to supporting these efforts now and for years to come. n
