Professional development retreats
General info:
Location: Animal Farm Foundation, Amenia, NY
Cost: No workshop fees; participants are responsible for travel and some meals. On-site housing is provided for non-local attendees. Some meals will be provided by AFF.
Want to learn about new ideas in animal sheltering and feel empowered to bring change back to your own community?
All of our workshops and training sessions are based on this foundational principle: “All dogs and all people are individuals.”
Where will you be staying:
AFF is located on a 300-acre working farm in Dutchess County, NY. We provide housing for all non-local participants on our property and at surrounding Airbnb. Most housing offered a single bedroom with a shared bathroom, unless shared rooms are noted on our application. Some will even get to share their living spaces with one of AFF’s available dogs. Participants get a snuggle buddy at night, and our dogs get a break from their kennels. It’s a win-win! Plus, we get to learn more about our dogs in a home environment, thanks to detailed daily diaries participants fill out about their time with each dog. It's a slumber party central!
Training and Enrichment - Wednesday, June 10th -Friday, 12th, 2026
Who should attend:
Hardworking, enthusiastic change-makers whose work is centered around training and enrichment of dogs in shelters (staff and volunteers welcome) In previous years, we’ve welcomed participants from all across the US, including parts of Canada and even Australia!
Not only are our interns geographically diverse, but their jobs and volunteer work are as well. Some come from large, open-admission, municipal shelters, while others come from smaller, private rescues, shelters, and advocacy groups. We appreciate how the diversity of their personal experience winds up enriching the group’s experiences. Not only do participants learn from us, but they also learn from each other. And all while teaching us a thing or two, as well!
Enrichment: Easy and Affordable in and out of the Kennel
Multiple Dog Playgroups
Training in a shelter environment
Reducing length of stay
Sport dog demos
Understanding how dogs learn
Additional Fun Activities
Hands-on in the Kennel: Getting dogs out properly
Language, Logistics, & Leadership - Wednesday, July 15th - Friday, July 17th, 2026
Who should attend:
Hardworking, enthusiastic change-makers whose work is centered around shelter management and administration. Folks in leadership roles, including directors, operations staff, adoption counselors, foster and volunteer coordinators. In previous years, we’ve welcomed participants from all across the US, including parts of Canada and even Australia!
Not only are our interns geographically diverse, but their jobs and volunteer work are as well. Some come from large, open-admission, municipal shelters, while others come from smaller, private rescues, shelters, and advocacy groups. We appreciate how the diversity of their personal experiences enriches the group’s experience. Not only do participants learn from us, but they also learn from each other. And all while teaching us a thing or two, as well!
Brainstorm leadership roundtables
Reducing length-of-stay
Recognizing and removing shelter policies that are barriers to adoption
Marketing to increase adoptions
Volunteer and Foster Programs
Using language to create positive framing and why words matter
From Fear to Forward Motion in Animal Sheltering
Office Hours Enrichment and Basic Handling Tips
AI for a more efficient sheltering
Pet-Inclusive Housing
Additional Fun Activities