Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Co-hosts:
• Geraldine D’Silva, Human and Animal Wellbeing Consultant
• Nadia Oseguera-Ramón, California Program Manager, UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program
Integrating social workers into the animal welfare sector marks an important step toward a more inclusive and compassionate approach to care that nurtures both human and animal well-being, within a framework of mutual aid. This shift reimagines traditional models, transforming them into resource hubs that support both animals and the people who care for them. By recognizing the shared trauma experienced by both humans and animals in crisis, this approach fosters a community-based, grief-informed perspective that values healing for all.
Through exploring the intersections of race, gender and economic justice, social workers are empowered to ask thoughtful, insightful questions, challenge ingrained assumptions and break down silos within animal welfare organizations.
This session highlights the importance of understanding trauma, grief and the historical effects of colonization on animal welfare practices, while also emphasizing the well-being of staff and proposing actionable steps that organizations can take to integrate social work principles and support healing in communities.
Panelists:
• Alexis Telfair-Garcia, LMSW, Director of Social Work, Austin Pets Alive
• Dillon Dodson, Director of Social Work, Toronto Humane Society
• Monika Khuc, Community Support Manage, WAGS Pet Adoption
• Raquel Bernaldo, Veterinary Social Worker and Program Manager, Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS)
To access the full agenda and resources from this call or to ask questions of our speakers, visit https://maddies.fund/communityconversations4725
About Community Conversations, hosted by Maddie’s Fund: When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, animal sheltering transformed overnight. Foster-based sheltering, home-based employees and volunteers, along with collaboration galvanized our communities. The pandemic, along with social injustice, has motivated our industry to look at how we partner with our communities and confront our own biases. Shelter and rescue staff across the country began talking on a weekly basis, offering support and innovative ideas to do things differently. To learn more about these calls, visit forum.maddiesfund.org/communityconversations
Chapters
00:00 Welcome
01:00 Maddie’s Fund March Grant Winners
03:25 Presentation
Co-hosts:
• Geraldine D’Silva, Human and Animal Wellbeing Consultant
• Nadia Oseguera-Ramón, California Program Manager, UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program
Integrating social workers into the animal welfare sector marks an important step toward a more inclusive and compassionate approach to care that nurtures both human and animal well-being, within a framework of mutual aid. This shift reimagines traditional models, transforming them into resource hubs that support both animals and the people who care for them. By recognizing the shared trauma experienced by both humans and animals in crisis, this approach fosters a community-based, grief-informed perspective that values healing for all.
Through exploring the intersections of race, gender and economic justice, social workers are empowered to ask thoughtful, insightful questions, challenge ingrained assumptions and break down silos within animal welfare organizations.
This session highlights the importance of understanding trauma, grief and the historical effects of colonization on animal welfare practices, while also emphasizing the well-being of staff and proposing actionable steps that organizations can take to integrate social work principles and support healing in communities.
Panelists:
• Alexis Telfair-Garcia, LMSW, Director of Social Work, Austin Pets Alive
• Dillon Dodson, Director of Social Work, Toronto Humane Society
• Monika Khuc, Community Support Manage, WAGS Pet Adoption
• Raquel Bernaldo, Veterinary Social Worker and Program Manager, Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS)
To access the full agenda and resources from this call or to ask questions of our speakers, visit https://maddies.fund/communityconversations4725
About Community Conversations, hosted by Maddie’s Fund: When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, animal sheltering transformed overnight. Foster-based sheltering, home-based employees and volunteers, along with collaboration galvanized our communities. The pandemic, along with social injustice, has motivated our industry to look at how we partner with our communities and confront our own biases. Shelter and rescue staff across the country began talking on a weekly basis, offering support and innovative ideas to do things differently. To learn more about these calls, visit forum.maddiesfund.org/communityconversations
Chapters
00:00 Welcome
01:00 Maddie’s Fund March Grant Winners
03:25 Presentation
