Train like their lives depend on it.
Because they do.

Maddie’s ® Learning Academy

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Maddie's® Learning Academy Apprenticeships

Because of COVID-19 and travel restrictions, Maddie's® Learning Academy Apprenticeships have been temporarily suspended. Online classes are now available on the Maddie's® University website.

Cat

Building a Working Cat Program

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Open Cat Adoptions: Keep Them Moving, Get Them Home

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Medical

Feline Lifesaving: Feline Leukemia (FeLV)

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Feline Lifesaving: Ringworm

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Feline Lifesaving: Matchmaking

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Feline Lifesaving: Marketing

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Feline Lifesaving: Behavior

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Feline Lifesaving: Adoption

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Cat

Building Foster Programs for Cats and Kittens

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Open Dog Adoptions: Eliminating Roadblocks to Positive Outcomes

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Shelter Clinic Management

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Lost Pet Reunification

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Supported Self-Rehoming

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Maddie’s® Learning Academy is the most effective No Kill training you can get. Experience immersive, hands-on training at Austin Pets Alive! and Austin Animal Center using the proven Austin No Kill Model, which has saved more than 60,000 animals since 2008.

Austin Pets Alive! is dedicated to maintaining comprehensive, innovative programs designed to save the animals most at risk for euthanasia.

Maddie’s® Learning Academy is made possible by Maddie’s Fund®, a national foundation established to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals.

Austin Animal Center is a municipal open-intake facility where lost and surrendered animals in need of shelter are accepted regardless of age, health, species or breed.

Our Instructors

Our instructors are national No Kill leaders and programmatic experts. They developed or improved the proven solutions Austin Pets Alive! and Austin Animal Center use to create the safest city for pets in the nation.

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Ellen Jefferson, DVM

President and CEO
Clare Callison

Clare Callison

Maddie's® Director of National Pet Supply and Demand
Faith and Madonna

Faith Wright

Maddie's® Shelter Management Advisor
Monica Frenden

Monica Frenden-Tarant

Maddie's® Director of Feline Lifesaving
Jordana Moerbe

Jordana Moerbe

Maddie's® Medical Program Advisor
Aaron Caldwell

Aaron Caldwell

Maddie's® Canine Lifesaving Specialist
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Dr. Nipuni Ratnayaka

Maddie's® Lifesaving Academy Veterinarian
Carrie

Carrie DeFeo

Dog Behavior Co-Manager
Lara C

Lara Cirkovic

Matchmaker Program Manager
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Hana Garner

CGC/TOP Dog Trainer
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Rory Adams

Maddie’s® Training and Education Manager
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Bobby Mann

Maddie’s® Human Animal Support Services Pilot Director