Webinar: 2009 Special Guest Presenter
When to Treat – When to Euthanize
Setting some Guidelines for Equine Euthanasia, 60 minutes
Making the decision to euthanize an equine in a sanctuary setting is a difficult one, even in cases where the horse is suffering severely. Few topics are filled with as much potential for varied emotional reactions and for the collision of contradictory beliefs.
Yet at the base of the euthanasia discussion is the well being of an individual equine. What is best for the horse? And that is where the trouble can start…. Veterinarians, equine caretakers, volunteers, the public; the media – all may have expectations and reactions about the needs of the animal and the proper reaction of the sanctuary – and this process can challenge the leadership of the organization.
Join this webinar to focus on the topic of equine euthanasia from the perspective of a Sanctuary administrator. What procedures, processes and approaches can you implement BEFORE the decision must be made to euthanize a horse, how can the process be facilitated? What role does the veterinarian, the staff, the animal caretaker, the executive director and the board play in making these decisions? Consider some of the key “tripping points” and areas where people might disagree and how one can best prepare to navigate this subject in a group process.
This interactive webinar may challenge some beliefs, will present concrete suggestions and will ask for participants to share their own experiences around the issue of equine euthanasia.
Presenter: Michael E. Kaufmann, Farm and Wildlife Director, Green Chimneys Children Services/Green Chimneys School
About the presenter: Michael Kaufmann has been recognized as a resource in Animal Welfare, Animal Assisted Activities/Therapy and in Humane Education for 20 years. In 2005 Michael Kaufmann made a commitment to Green Chimneys Children’s Services/Green Chimneys School as Farm and Wildlife Director. At Green Chimneys, his focus is on directing all aspects of the therapeutic milieu offered to children with special needs at the farm, in the equine programs, at two organic gardens and in the wildlife rehabilitation center. The Green Chimneys farm is home to 22 Equines and 200 other animals of various species.
Kaufmann started his career as Director of Education at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Subsequently he focused on the development and implementation of comprehensive training programs at the American Humane Association (AHA), a national child and animal protection organization that promotes the highest standards of competence among child welfare and animal care and control professionals. Michael Kaufmann has led and facilitated seminars internationally and has edited and contributed to various defining publications in the human/animal bond field.
Michael has served as chairman of the Humane Education Advisory Council of the California based Latham Foundation, as advisor to various committees of the Delta Society and has served on the Harrison Memorial Veterinary Hospital advisory board. He is a past member of the board of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), a founding board member for the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association (EFMHA) and a current member of the board of the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF).
From childhood, growing up in Switzerland, the beneficial relationship between people, animals and the natural world has shaped Michael Kaufmann’s life. He has supplemented his official positions with hands-on experiences as a livestock manager, with on site studies of circus animal trainers and via internships at zoos. He served as manager of two working horse farms early in his life and for several years maintained a small livestock/equine sanctuary at his own farm.
Michael Kaufmann has been quoted on equine assisted activities, the human animal bond and animal welfare issues by such diverse sources as TIME, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, National Public Radio, Reaching Today’s Youth and the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.