Earlier this month two staff Seb Goman and Natalie Spicer had the wonderful opportunity to send a week at the Battersea Dog and Cats Home Academy.
Seb Goman Senior Animal Care and Welfare Assistant explains – ‘Natalie and I recently had the opportunity to attend a residential week at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home after completing a series of modules with the Battersea Academy over the past year.
The week was packed with valuable learning.
Monday kicked off with a “Human Theme” session, covering behaviour, influencing others, governance, policies, SOPs, and ended with a great session on staff and volunteer wellbeing.
Tuesday focused on the Animal Theme at the Old Windsor site, where we explored scent search theory and practical work, along with animal centred education.
Wednesday continued the animal focus, diving into complex behaviours, safety, and motivation in dogs both theory and practical. These sessions were hands on, interactive, and really useful for our work in rehoming and welfare.
Thursday tackled topics like ethical decision making, protecting reputation, shelter resilience, and emergency operations. This day was particularly memorable, with Battersea Academy "actors" simulating real life emergency scenarios. While we may not face such crises in Guernsey, it was incredibly useful training.
Friday wrapped things up with a “Future Theme,” including reflections, mindfulness, and a small celebration with certificates and photos.
The entire experience has given us new skills and knowledge to take back to the GSPCA, helping us provide the best, most up to date care for the animals we look after.
A huge thank you to the Battersea Academy for the opportunity the staff were so welcoming and made sure each session ran smoothly. We hope to continue working with them in the future!’
Natalie Spicer GSPCA Animal Care Assistant adds “We had a wonderful time at the Battersea Academy, thank you to all that made it possible and we really all we learnt and experienced.”
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “We are so thankful to the team at Battersea who provide amazing training opportunities both online and in this case in person and even help provide lots of support to enable these opportunities not to ourselves but to many charities both across the British Isles but also far further cross the world.”
“Training is hugely important to all organisations and helps both improve our team and explore ideas and other ways of doing things and both Natalie and Seb have returned with both lots of ideas and also the reassurance of the ways that we do run our rehoming and care.”
“With our #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal and need for new kennels the care of dogs and seeing these facilities is really important.”
“To see more on our Big Build please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspcabiggestbuildappeal .”
“We do run lots of training for our team and also courses.”
“If anyone thinks they can help with our training please do let us know and if you are interested in attending our dog or cat first aid courses please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses .”
To see the Battersea Academy website please visit https://www.battersea.org.uk/what-we-do/working-with-other-rescues/battersea-academy
To see events, ways to support and animals in need please see our latest blog https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog
Upcoming events
Steve continued “There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA.”
“Our BIGGEST BUILD is now underway and we are desperately looking for support and to help in anyway please do get in touch and check out this link https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggestbuild-begins-demolition-underway-%E2%80%93-buying-brick-sponsorship-can-you-help .”
“To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor donating each month to help the hundreds of animals in our care which you can do by downloading this form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf or to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf .”
“To think of helping animals and our work in your legacy or will please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding .”
“For those from those want to give CSR time and skills to those wanting to help sponsor or support something from our Wish List at the GSPCA http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list or support Autism Guernsey https://www.autismguernsey.org.gg/ .”
“If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days “
“For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship “
“If you would like to volunteer then to find out more details here -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or to complete the volunteer application form please check out https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=14 .”
"We also have vacancies at the GSPCA and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/vacancies ."
"For lots of ways to support our work please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years ."
“To visit our facebook page check out this link please click here .”
“To visit our x page please click here .”
“Thank you for your support.”
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