September 9, 2016
Manitoba to Host International One Welfare Conference
Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living and Manitoba Agriculture are co-hosting the International One Welfare Conference in Winnipeg this month, focusing on complex social situations where human and animal health are involved.
The conference focuses on issues like hoarding, on-farm animal welfare, and the links between animal and family abuse.
The conference will take place from Sept. 26 and 27 at the Radisson Hotel in Winnipeg. Some of the speakers include:
• Darlene Chalmers, assistant professor, University of Regina, with research focused on how the bond between humans and animals contribute to human health and well-being including the use of horses and dogs in addiction treatment and mental wellness programs;
• Phil Arkow, one of the founders of the National Link Coalition – the National Resource Centre on the Link between Animal Abuse and Human Violence, who is an internationally recognized lecturer, author and educator currently based in New Jersey;
• Michael Rosmann, clinical psychologist, farmer, writer and professor at the University of Iowa;
• Gary Vroegindewey, chair of an international group on disaster management and risk reduction for animal health and welfare, and director of the One Health program at Lincoln Memorial College of Veterinary Medicine in Tennessee; and
• Christiana Bratiotis, assistant professor at Portland State University, a cognitive behavioural therapist and author of The Hoarding Handbook: A Guide for Human Service Professionals.
The conference features a keynote address from Lt.-Gen. (Ret.) Romeo A. Dallaire during a dinner on Sept. 26. His presentation will focus on post-traumatic stress disorder, how it affects his humanitarian work and what can be done to support professionals who are affected by workplace-related trauma.
Individuals can also choose to attend an additional training session on psychological first aid, presented by the Canadian Red Cross.
More information about the conference, including a complete agenda and registration details, is available at www.onewelfareconference.ca.
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