Katherina Alvarez, Ph.D., a dog trainer, social psychologist, racial equity, and anti-oppression educator committed to collective liberation, will raise social justice awareness among our beloved dog professionals community by unlearning (un)conscious oppressive social patterns and learning anti-oppressive practices. She is the author of the newly released article The Reality of Being a Black, Indigenous, and Global Majority Dog Professional."
This webinar will discuss how oppressive systems work, how we may (un)consciously support them, how our social circumstances and privilege frequently result in power imbalances that we are unaware of, and how we can make society more fair, humane, and just. We will learn about our role in perpetuating inequitable systems and how each of us can make a difference. Working against these systems benefits everyone.
In this webinar, we will share the lived experiences of BIPGM dog professionals interviewed for a qualitative research study, as well as insights from researchers, scholars, writers, and activists leading the way to positive social change. We will speak about some of the difficulties that BIPGM dog professionals face in their daily lives and work, as well as how their experiences can inform broader discussions about social justice, equity, and inclusion. By bringing together diverse perspectives and voices, we hope to encourage a deeper discussion of the complexities of these issues and inspire meaningful action toward positive change.
We will hold a shame-free, courageous, and compassionate space, as well as encourage empathy, active listening, and a willingness to learn from BIPGM experiences. We aim to foster a positive learning environment to keep participants on the learning edge as we learn about privilege, social power, white supremacy, racism, ableism, heterosexism, and other oppressive systems.
We will create the space for acknowledging, processing, and healing from our collective history of injustice, as well as any emotions that may arise, in order to move toward healing, reparation, and reconciliation and build a stronger, more resilient community.
This unique webinar will offer insight and inspiration for building a more equitable community. You will walk away with a better understanding of how to actively work in your personal and professional lives to dismantle systemic oppression and promote positive social change.
Live Webinar with Q&A Session. Dr. Alvarez will be joined by PhD Candidate Kassidi Jones to respond to questions that have come up in the care spaces during the latter part of the webinar (see more below about care spaces). See you Wednesday, May 31st, 10am-12:30 pm Pacific Time.
Will be recorded for registered students to watch later.
Suitable for anyone who wants to create a common language for discussing various systems of oppression and their intersections (for example, racism, ableism, sexism, heterosexism, etc.). This is not a dog industry problem; this is systemic.
Learn to reframe discomfort as an opportunity to learn by noticing and exploring when we are on a learning edge and when we are moving to our comfort or panic zone.
Recognize the institutional, interpersonal, systemic, and cultural means by which racism, white supremacy, and white privilege are reinforced and communicated.
Explore real-life examples of the experiences of BIPGM dog professionals.
Appreciate the richness of diversity, unique perspectives, and various ways of knowing.
Examine anti-Blackness, colorism, internalized racism, and horizontal hostility.
• Move beyond the boxes or categories that society has assigned to us.
Explore ways to advocate for those who are marginalized in society without becoming a savior. Take action to challenge oppressive systems and co-create liberatory alternatives.
If you identify as being part of a marginalized population, please scroll down to see the sliding scale options.
This webinar and all of the other classes in the school are included with a Diamond Membership All Access Pass. For one low price per month, you get access to all of our emotionally enriching dog courses. See if Diamond is right for you.
Already a Diamond? You're already enrolled in this webinar, at no extra charge. Just log in and refresh this page, and you'll see a Start Learning or Resume Learning button on the top.
Please keep reading to get the most out of this webinar.
Because this webinar may elicit strong emotions, it is important that you take care of yourself before, during, and after the session.
A professional moderation team will be in the chat and there will also be care spaces. Care spaces take place in breakout rooms, 15 minutes each in duration.
This mind- and heart-expanding webinar is about 2.5-3 hours, with around 1 hour and 45 minutes of presentation (including bio breaks), two 15-minute breakout rooms, and a time for Katherina Alvarez, PhD, Kassidi Jones, PhD Candidate to respond to questions that remain from the care groups. Please note that questions from BIPGM will be prioritized.
Professional dog trainers and behaviorists earn CEUs from the CCPDT and IAABC too!
CCPDT: 3 CEUs for Trainers & Behaviorists,
IAABC: pending
Within 24 hours of the live session, you'll also get a recording, transcript, and downloadable handouts to facilitate your learning. You are free to watch the recording as many times as you like. Please note that if you're using a sponsor coupon, your access may only be for 7 days.
Attendees are also eligible to continue the conversation in the Grisha Stewart Learner Support Facebook Group.
Diamond members can also post in the special group for Diamonds.
Katherina Alvarez, PhD
Dr. Katherina Alvarez (she/her) was born and raised in Panama, in Abya Yala, also known as Central America. She now resides in Amsterdam with her partner and heart dog, who inspired her to pursue her lifelong dream of training dogs. Katherina began her studies in psychology in Panama before moving to Amsterdam to pursue a Research Master's degree and a Ph.D. in Social Psychology, thanks to several grants from the European Union, the Netherlands, and Panama. She has worked with people from diverse cultural backgrounds in the Netherlands, the United States, and Panama over the course of her more than 15 years as a psychologist, researcher, and educator.
Katherina's lived experience has motivated her commitment to reducing the effects of systemic oppression and trauma by facilitating the healing process of those excluded or marginalized from society through individual and group coaching. She also teaches and conducts research consultancies on how to incorporate anti-oppressive practices. Her approach is trauma-informed, based on scientific research, applied and experiential knowledge, compassion, empathy, kindness, mindfulness, and a sense of humor.
Katherina is part of the Global Majority, Latine, disabled multiracial and multicultural body, and a cisgender immigrant. She can be reached at katherinaalvarez.com.
Photo Description: A mixed-race woman with curly black hair wearing a white blouse and blue jeans. She sits on a couch, looking at the camera, while patting her dog, Umi, who is also looking at the camera. Umi is a small white and brown Jack Russell mix. He's sitting on a small piano bench next to the couch.
Kassidi Jones
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Already a Diamond? You're already enrolled in this webinar, at no extra charge. Just log in and refresh this page, and you'll see a Start Learning or Resume Learning button on the top.
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Scholarships do take time to process, so thank you for your patient. If you apply within a week of the webinar, you may need to watch the recording instead of the live event.