2017 Hot Topics – presentations

MAC “HOT TOPICS” MEETING:

Animal Hoarding: The balance between compassion and/or conviction. 

Overview & Presentations 

November 19, 2017


About the meeting:

Animal Hoarding: The balance between compassion and/or conviction.

How many of us have encountered someone who has lots of animals and we think they may be suffering from a hoarding disorder?  Do you know someone in the animal field who might be over their head?
Dr. Gary Patronek (Hoarding Animals Research Consortium), Lt. Alan Borgal (Animal Rescue League of Boston) and Eileen Dacey, MSW, LCSW (North Shore Center for Hoarding and Cluttering) all have experienced working with people who hoard.  Sometimes it’s simply hoarding “things” and in our world it involves living, breathing beings.  Do we even understand what hoarding is?  Can it be treated?  How do we plug into the resources that already exist in order to help both the animals and the humans involved?  This will be a fascinating, informative day and you will go back to your animal work with a better understanding of this very complex set of issues.

Our panelists:

  • Dr. Gary Patronek, an expert in animal hoarding, will define and help us to understand this often misunderstood affliction which affects animals, those who love them, and those who love the people who hoard.  It also impacts animals shelters and their communities. Download Gary’s presentation Animal Hoarding G Patronek Nov2017
  • Eileen Dacey, MSW, LCSW is the new program manager and Clinical Hoarding Specialist at the North Shore Center for Hoarding and Cluttering, a program of North Shore Elder Services.  With her practical experience, Eileen will provide an overview of hoarding disorder and help us increase our own awareness around this mental health condition. Additionally, Eileen will discuss ways that professionals can arrange for collaborative, supportive interventions that involve the individual from the very beginning–yielding better results in resolving hoarding cases. Download Eileen’s presentation Understanding and Working with Hoarding 11.18.17
  • Lt. Alan Borgal is a true advocate for animals. He has worked at the Animal Rescue League of Boston for 40 years and is Director of the League’s Center for Animal Protection. Among numerous awards throughout the years in 2007, Alan recieved the “Heroes Among Us Award” presented by the Boston Celtics.  He was also named one of the top 10 animal defenders in America by the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Alan is a selfless animal advocate with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field and is always happy to share his wisdom with others.
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