Journal Article Digest

Workshop Descriptions

Kids with family companions

Workshops Descriptions

Intervening in the Cycle of Abuse

“Assessing and Treating Juvenile Animal Abuse”
or….
“Assessing and Treating Adult Animal Abuse”

These workshops are designed to provide clinical professionals with important conceptions and trends about the connection of animal abuse to human violence. Many of these professionals will already understand animal cruelty as a serious offense requiring attention. They are potentially working with clients who have been referred as animal abusers, or who have been harmed by or threatened with animal cruelty; or been effected by witnessing animal abuse. Their caseload could include individuals who have been referred via the courts, the schools, social services agencies or parents. There are 2 distinct types of professionals in this targeted market - those who work with children or those who work with adults.

Grounded in research, the dynamics of animal abuse are presented to amplify the significance to family, child and spousal abuse. Based on the AniCare Child and AniCare Adult approaches, it provides strategies for the participant to be able to identify possible animal abuse and to make skilled assessments. Participants will learn the skills for treating juvenile / adult animal abuse. They will leave with checklists and instruments to complement their diagnostic and treatment practice.

Topics covered include:

the relation between animal abuse and other forms of abuse and disorders
the range of animal abuse behaviors
evaluation of animal abuse when children / adults present with various problems
how to integrate treatment with other interventions
assessments of juveniles /adults who present with animal abuse
treatment principles and concrete interventions

Through lecture, video interviews, case study, role-play, and interactive learning, the participants will gain a working understanding of the AniCare Child treatment approach, which focuses on empathy, problem solving and the development of self-management skills within the therapeutic organizing framework of connection, expression and corrective intervention; OR of the AniCare approach, which focuses on accountability and the development of self-management skills and empathy.

“Animal Abuse: Understanding, Identification and Action Planning”

This workshop is designed to introduce the important conceptions and trends about the connection of

animal abuse to human violence. It is appropriate for various audiences such as school counselors, probation / parole officers, domestic violence specialists, child welfare advocates, public health professionals and nursing specialists. These professionals work closely with individuals and consequently are in a position to make an appropriate referral, when necessary as part of their workload. They work in a variety of settings where they come into contact with people who are in crisis or who are dealing with a difficult situation and their work requires specific protocols.

This presentation, grounded in research, explains the dynamics of animal abuse and its significance as an indicator of child and spousal abuse. Based on the Anicare Adult and Anicare Child approaches, participants will review strategies to effectively identify possible animal abuse and techniques so they can make appropriate referrals. Participants will leave with checklists and instruments to assist them in taking effective actions to intercede in animal abuse within the protocol of their professional role.

This workshop is designed to introduce police, educators, criminal justice specialists, and humane / animal welfare specialists to the important conceptions and trends regarding the ‘link’ of animal abuse to human violence. This presentation, based in research, explains the significance of animal abuse as a potential indicator of family, child and spousal abuse. Information and materials are provided to help participants integrate appropriate actions toward ending the cycle of abuse, within the protocol of their profession.

Objectives:

Understand the importance of animal abuse as it relates to family and domestic violence

Identify populations at-risk; types of animal abuse and profiles of abuser

Understand how animal abuse impacts cultural norms, laws and institutional changes

Understand cross reporting systems and procedures

“The Connection Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence”

On-site group programs will need to be requested at least 90 days in advance and confirmed 45 days in advance, along with a deposit. We will do our best to meet your scheduling preferences. We may need to work around our trainer availability. We reserve dates on a first-come basis and is subject to change until our Service Agreement is signed.

To Schedule a workshop that accommodates your staff format contact:

Dr. Kenneth J. Shapiro, ABPP Executive Director

Society & Animals Forum

301-963-4751

Download Workshop Guidelines

Download Workshop Brochure

Scheduling Policy

You can help support this important work! Society & Animals Forum sends its project directors around the nation conducting training sessions with mental health professionals, parents, teachers, and law enforcement groups and giving presentations to raise awareness about the "Violence connection."