Enrichment Best Practices

Enrichment Best Practices

Speaker: Brad Shear, CEO of Potter League for Animals

February 19, 2025

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. on Zoom

Join Brad Shear, CEO of Potter League for Animals, as he guides us through Enrichment Best Practices from the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA). A strong shelter enrichment program will help give your animals more freedom from discomfort, freedom to express normal behavior, and freedom from fear and distress. AAWA recruited subject matter experts on animal behavior to develop a best practices document on animal enrichment in shelters. Participants will walk away understanding:

• What animal enrichment is and its limitations; 
• Why enrichment is important; 
• How enrichment helps increase adoptions and save lives; and 
• The distinction between enrichment and behavior modification.

ABOUT BRAD

Brad Shear has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Potter League for Animals since 2016. During his tenure, the Potter League, historically based in Newport, RI, expanded to add veterinary services in Warwick and East Providence, making the organization the largest in the state. Brad serves on the Hill's Pet Nutrition Shelter Advisory Council, the New England Federation of Humane Societies Advisory Board, and the Supporting People and Animal Relationships for Change (SPARC) steering committee. Brad served on the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement board and was Board Chair for two years.

In 2013, Brad received the Badge of Honor Award from the Albany County District Attorney's Office, and in 2016, he received the President's Medal from Excelsior College. In 2017, he received the Community Hero Award from Unity House of Troy. In 2018, Brad was named a "Man Who Makes a Difference" by the Women's Resource Center in Newport, Rhode Island.

Brad was the President and CEO of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in Albany, New York, and a founder of the New York State Animal Protection Federation. Before his time in New York, Brad was the Director of Operations for the Atlanta Humane Society, managed the Brooklyn Shelter for New York City Animal Care and Control, and began his animal career at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, where he was the Shelter Manager and Animal Care and Control Manager.

Brad lives in Peace Dale, Rhode Island, with his wife, two children, three cats, and one little dog.

REGISTRATION FEE

• $0 for Ohio Fed Webinar Bundle participants with code

• $25 per organization for Ohio Fed members with 1-5 program participants 

• $35 per organization for Ohio Fed members with 6-10 program participants 

• $45 per organization for Ohio Fed members with 11+ program participants 

• $50 per organization for non-members 

Ohio Animal Welfare Federation is an approved provider of content which enhances professional competence and aligns with the 5 domains of the CAWA Exam specifications. Every hour of training equals 1 CE towards CAWA Recertification.

This webinar has also been approved for Continuing Educational Units by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). National certificate holders can submit for credit consistent with the NACA CEU policy located here.