Seminars by Myrna Milani

Seminars are available for the following groups. Although some of the topics overlap, the presentations are developed to meet the needs of a particular audience. Upon request, seminars can be designed to address behavioral, bond, and/or communication topics of particular interest to a specific group. For further information, contact mm@mmilani.com.

Target Audiences:

Veterinarians and Veterinary Support Staff
Seminars for veterinarians cover the complete spectrum of behavioral, bond, and communication subjects as these relate to the treatment process. Topics include normal and abnormal animal behaviors and normal and abnormal human-animal relationships as these affect the quality diagnosis and treatment of medical problems in-house and on an out-patient basis. Communications seminars explore the animal-owner-veterinarian triad, animal rights, burn-out, the role of guilt and love in the treatment process, discussing cost, dealing with the terminally ill patient, euthanasia, and other every day aspects of practice that may undermine the quality of the treatment process.

General Pet-Owning Public
Seminars for the general public explore a wide range of subjects dealing with normal and abnormal canine and feline behavior and the human-animal bond in an informal, listener-friendly manner. Illustrations and anecdotes are chosen to represent the full spectrum of animal behavior and human-animal relationships to enable participants to see how they and their own pets fit into the overall scheme of things.

Subjects include overviews of normal and abnormal companion animal behavior, normal and abnormal human-companion animal relationships, human and animal perception and emotion, preparing for or coping with the loss of a pet, among others. As always, helping people develop a comprehensive rather than problem-oriented view of their animal's health, behavior, and relationship with them serves as the primary focus. (When sponsored by kennel or breed clubs, seminars for the general public may be coupled with more specialized sessions designed for members of breed and kennel clubs and private sessions for members of the community who have specific behavioral/bond problems with their pets.)

Breed Groups and Kennel Clubs
Seminars for specialty groups delve into animal behavioral, relationship, and communication topics as they relate to that particular breed or species. Specific topics include the effects of evolution and the positive and negative effects of human emotions associated with a particular breed, the advantages and disadvantages of purebred rescue from a bond and behavioral perspective, and the links between physiology and behavior as these affect the selection of breeding animals. Seminars for specialty groups may be coupled with those for the general public and/or with private sessions for group members.

Trainers
A basic axiom in an animal-related service of any kind states that owner compliance is directly related to that person's perception that said service meets their own as well as their pet's needs. Seminars for dog-trainers focus on this reality by exploring the interplay between the animal's behavior, its physiology, and its relationship with the person training the dog, be that person the owner, trainer, or someone else. Rather than describing yet another method for training dogs, the seminar provides trainers with the behavioral and bond understanding necessary to properly analyze any problem behavior. Armed with this information, participants then learn how to develop and implement a training program that will meet that specific animal's and that specific owner's needs.

Animal Control and Shelter Personnel
Seminars for animal control and shelter personnel address three key areas critical to success for animal and human alike: scientific knowledge about normal and abnormal canine and feline behavior, scientific knowledge about the nature and effects of the different forms of human-animal bonds, frank and comprehensive discussion of the emotional and ethical dilemmas raised by rescue, adoption, euthanasia, and other issues faced by shelter personnel on a daily basis. Once participants understand these basics, they learn how to use them to communicate effectively with existing or potential animal owners to ensure the maximum benefit for animal and human alike.

Other Animal Care Professionals
Even though the livelihood of a surprising number of people depends on their ability to interact with companion animals and/or their owners in a meaningful way, many people lack the necessary knowledge of animal health and behavior, the human-animal bond, and communication skills to do this. These seminars rectify this situation by providing employers and employees who work in these areas with this critical information.

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