In this in-depth webinar, animal handling expert John Peaveler shares hard-earned insights from nearly two decades of work with fearful, undersocialized, and high-risk animals across shelters, disaster response settings, and international field operations. From establishing a shelter for feral dogs in Kuwait to responding to disasters and supporting complex animal welfare cases in over 40 countries, John brings a global perspective to the challenges faced by today’s shelters and animal control agencies.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Apply a safety-first decision-making framework that balances handler safety, effectiveness, and humane treatment in challenging shelter scenarios

• Identify practical stress-reduction strategies that minimize escalation in fearful, undersocialized, and high-risk dogs

• Recognize when direct handling increases risk and implement alternative approaches such as protected contact and environmental management

• Select and use appropriate handling equipment, including transfer cages and safety tools, to improve outcomes for both animals and staff

• Implement calm, structured protocols for common high-risk situations such as loose dogs, kennel-front aggression, and panic responses during leashing

Additional Resources:

• https://www.humaneinnovations.com/