Town Hall with Special Guest Shane Stanis, Mighty Mutts
2024-10-23 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Winnipeg)
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Talking Dog: Signs of Stress
The Beagle Alliance is thrilled to have Shane Stanis, CDBC, CPDT-KSA, Behavioural Consultant and Founder of Mighty Mutts Dog Training. Shane has 20 years of experience working with special needs dogs.
Shane will go over both the obvious stress signals, such as shaking or hiding, as well as the more subtle cues that many of us may miss. He will discuss body language cues and review some common signs or symptoms of trauma related triggers and PTSD.
A number of our fosters and adopters have met with Shane and now have incredible tools to work with the individual needs of their dog – most of which are former research beagles. Shane is The Beagle Alliance’s “go-to” consultant when we, our dogs and our fosters and adopters need a little extra support and understanding of the specific behaviours of our best friends.
Please join us – you will not to be disappointed – we encourage anyone wanting to, or already working, living and loving a special needs dog to join in – and of course those who would like to foster or adopt a former research dog going forward – this evening will be invaluable!

Town Hall with Special Guest: Donna Middleton, ACCN
2024-11-27 19:30 - 21:00
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The Gut-Brain Connection and How it Can Affect our Dog’s Behaviour
Join Donna Middleton as she discusses how stress, toxins and diet can affect the gut-brain connection and offer suggestions on how to rebuild the gut health and reduce anxiety.
Donna Middleton, ACCN, established Head to Tail Canine Nutrition in 2013 and received certification as an Advanced Certified Canine Nutritionist. Her education has been an ongoing passion. Donna believes nutrition is the foundation of health and strongly believes in Dr Linus Pauling’s famous quote “Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food”. With this in mind, she has sought out different types of food supplements to aid in improving animal health and has developed her own line of medicinal mushrooms.
***Disclaimer: Donna is not a veterinarian and her suggestions are not intended as, or to replace, medical advice and is for educational purposes. She does not make any claims to cure disease or illness. Please consult your veterinarian for any medical advice.

Town Hall with Special Guest: Dr. Charu Chandrasekera
2025-01-22 19:30 - 21:00
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Join us this January for our next town hall with Dr. Charu Chandrasekera, where we’ll dive into the state of animals in science in Canada, the journey of the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods (CCAAM), and what lies ahead. She will share updates on the progress we’ve made in Canada and the challenges we’re facing, and about the importance of animal-free methods, the role of education, and the need for regulatory modernization. There will also be a chance to answer your questions and discuss how we can work together to build a future rooted in humane and innovative science.
BIO:
Dr. Charu Chandrasekera is the founder and executive director of the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods, Canada’s only centre dedicated exclusively to animal-free science, transforming biomedical research, education, and chemical safety testing through 21st-century science, innovation, and ethics. Once an animal researcher herself, she has become a leading voice in the global movement toward non-animal methodologies, blending her expertise in science policy with her passion for advancing humane and innovative scientific practices.

Town Hall with Special Guest: Chelsey Marino
2025-02-19 19:30 - 21:00
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Rehabilitating Fearful & Traumatized Dogs: Understanding, Training, and Transforming
Join us for an insightful and practical discussion led by Chelsey Marino, founder of Command Canine, and dog behaviour expert specializing in fearful, traumatized, and former research dogs. Whether you’re a rescuer, adopter, or considering adopting a dog who needs specialized care, this talk will provide valuable guidance on understanding and rehabilitating dogs who have experienced extreme stress, neglect, or trauma.
Chelsey will help you understand the root causes of fear and trauma in rescue dogs and provide actionable strategies for you to help them feel safe, build confidence, and successfully navigate the world.
Website: Command CanineInstagram: @command.canine

Town Hall with Special Guest: Mallory Cormier
2025-04-26 11:00 - 12:00
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In honour of World Week for Animals we are going to catch up with Mallory Cormier to discuss the progress of her rescues and sanctuary, as well Lori and Mallory will talk about how things have changed over the past year.
Mallory Cormier is the founder and Executive Director of Save The Buns, Inc. She is also a co-founder and Board of Directors of Justify. Her passion lies with veganism, animals rights, activism and art. She considers her household an open door for animals in need and leads her life with positive intent and compassion.
Mallory possesses a background in Veterinary medicine and Natural Resources and Technology. Her experience working in an Animal Research facility led her to develop an nonprofit rescuing rabbits from animal testing, called Save The Buns, Inc.
She hopes this organization will inspire hope and change in the industry and allow adoption over euthanasia to increase in laboratory environments.
Website: Save The Buns, Inc.

Town Hall with the Animal Alliance of Canada
2025-05-28 19:30 - 21:00
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Lori Cohen will sit down with Lia Laskaris and Bianca Del Bois to update us on the work of the Animal Alliance of Canada about dogs in shelters and how they can end up in testing facilities.
Pet Dogs and Cats in Canadian Research
Since 1990, thousands of lost, stray, and surrendered pets have been subjected to research experiments in Canada. Despite public opposition and decades of advocacy, Ontario law still allows pet dogs and cats to be used in Canadian testing facilities — some sold by shelters to labs for as little as $2—under Ontario’s deeply flawed Animals for Research Act.
Through their Project Jessie and No Pets in Research campaigns, Animal Alliance of Canada has made major progress, but the work isn’t over. This webinar will break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what needs to change. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to take action to help push for the legislative reform needed to end the use of pet dogs and cats in research.
BIOS:
Lia Laskaris, Chief Executive Officer
Lia has been with Animal Alliance of Canada for over 20 years, beginning as a dedicated volunteer and now serving as our Chief Executive Officer. From the very start, Lia stepped up wherever she was needed, quickly becoming an indispensable part of the team. Her hard work and leadership have helped our organization grow and achieve significant victories for animals.
Bianca Del Bois, Director of Development and Communications
Bianca is a full-time staff member. With a background as CEO of a marketing and communications consultancy and nearly a decade working in veterinary medicine, Bianca brings a unique blend of skills to her work with Animal Alliance of Canada. She is the founder of a volunteer-based animal welfare organization that focuses on community pet support, veterinary access, and humane animal management programs in partnership with remote First Nations communities. Bianca also serves on the Board of Directors for the Grey Bruce Aboriginal Qimmiq Team (GBAQT), which delivers spay/neuter and wellness clinics in Northern Ontario.
Website: Animal Alliance of CanadaFacebook: Animal Alliance of CanadaInstagram: @animalallianceofcanada

August Town Hall - John Ramer, Kindness Ranch
2025-08-27 19:30 - 21:00
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Please welcome back our friend, our partner, John Ramer, Executive Director of Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary.
As you may recall, we spoke with John awhile back (November 2022) after he was instrumental in the rescue and homing of the “Envigo” beagles.
We are thrilled to sit down with John again, this time not as a first time face to face, but as friends and partners. John, his wife Katy, and their team march on humbly and quietly – caring for and placing so many dogs from facilities in the U.S. into loving homes and in our case, a very grateful Canadian organization! Their work and kind approach has truly made Kindness Ranch a trusted sanctuary for these special dogs and has even captured the hearts of many politicians in Washington. Kindness Ranch is continuing to make a difference for animals in research in the U.S. and because of their collaborative ways, without so much as trying, is also making a difference in Canada!
We will talk about National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus closures, our partnership, and Kindness Ranch’s upcoming Gala + your favourite – Q and A!
Join us for this pretty special get together!
Website: Kindness Ranch Animal SanctuaryFacebook: Kindness RanchInstagram: @kindnessranchYouTube: Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary

Town Hall - Ridglan Farms: The Path Toward Accountability and Change
2025-11-19 19:00 - 20:00
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Ridglan Farms: The Path Toward Accountability and Change
The Beagle Alliance welcomes Amy Van Aartsen of The Marty Project and Lindsey Soffes of Rise for Animals for a timely update on Ridglan Farms, the U.S.’ second-largest breeder of dogs for use in research.
A firsthand listen on how The Marty Project and Rise for Animals have teamed up to pursue justice for these dogs and how their organizations have employed collaboration as a powerful tool leveraging combined expertise in science, law, and advocacy to make a difference for animals.
Amy Van Aartsen
Amy Van Aartsen is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Marty Project, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing public policy that replaces the use of dogs in human product safety testing with evidence-based scientific alternatives. Drawing on her expertise as a scientist specializing in non-animal methods (NAMs) and her background in public health, Amy focuses on creating systems-level change by working collaboratively with policymakers, scientists, and biotechnology companies to elevate and expediate the full implementation of NAMs.
Living just minutes from Ridglan Farms, Amy and her beagle Maggie have been uniquely positioned to press for accountability and justice on behalf of the thousands of dogs confined there. In partnership with Rise for Animals, The Marty Project has spotlighted the urgent need for systemic reform by exposing the injustices endured by the dogs at Ridglan Farms.
Lindsey Soffes
Lindsey Soffes leads programs at Rise for Animals, a national animal rights organization dedicated to ending animal experimentation. With a background in law and nonprofit advocacy, her work focuses on investigating the hidden realities of the animal research industry and driving exposure, advocacy, and public mobilization to end it.
Lindsey has led Rise’s efforts to help confront and hold accountable Ridglan Farms. In frequent collaboration with The Marty Project, Rise has filed multiple state and federal complaints, supported the passage of a county resolution calling for state action, and brought attention to the absence of meaningful federal oversight of the animal research industry—using Ridglan as a case study of the legal, regulatory, and ethical failures that define the system.
Website: The Marty Project
Website: Rise for Animals

Town Hall - Justin Goodman, Sr. VP, White Coat Waste
2026-01-21 19:00 - 20:00
Recent Successes for Animals in Research in the U.S.,plus an update on U.S. Funded Facilities in Canada
Justin Goodman is Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy at the bipartisan nonprofit watchdog White Coat Waste, whose sole focus is finding, exposing and defunding $20 billion a year in U.S. government-funded animal testing. For more than 20 years, he has led investigations, grassroots campaigns, and lobbying efforts that have exposed and ended taxpayer-funded experiments on dogs, cats, primates, and other animals.
His work has helped enact precedent-setting state and federal laws and policies that have shut down animal laboratories and significantly reduced or eliminated taxpayer-funded animal experiments. Goodman’s efforts are regularly cited by the U.S. Congress and featured in major media outlets including The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Politico, CBS News, and Fox News, among others.
Goodman has co-authored peer-reviewed research on the ethical, scientific, and regulatory issues surrounding animal testing. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Connecticut and previously served as an adjunct professor of sociology at Marymount University, where he taught international study-abroad programs on illegal wildlife trafficking.

SEE OUR TOWN HALL HERE

Town Hall - Melanie D.G. Kaplan
2026-01-31 10:00 - 11:00
“This remarkable book moved me deeply.”Dr. Jane Goodall, Founder, The Jane Goodall Institute

Melanie D. G. Kaplan is a journalist and author from Washington DC who has written for The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and many more. She will be telling us about her new book – LAB DOG: A Beagle and his Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research.
Website: Melanie D. G. Kaplan

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Town Hall - Dr. Stacy M. Lopresti-Goodman
2026-02-18 19:00 - 20:00
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Trends in the Number of Dogs used in Research over the Past Few Decades
Dr. Stacy M. Lopresti-Goodman is a Professor of Psychology and the Director for the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Marymount University, in Arlington, VA, USA.
She teaches a variety of courses which educate students about the harms of captivity on nonhuman animals, including Abnormal Primate Psychology and Food, Ethics and Society.
She also actively engages in research aimed at understanding the enduring negative impact that confinement and usage in laboratories have on the psychological well-being of nonhuman animals, particularly primates and dogs. She has presented her research at academic conferences nationally and internationally, published in peer-reviewed journals, and has been featured in media outlets such as the Washington Post, Nature, NPR, and Science.
She will talk about trends in the number of dogs used in research over the past few decades, and her research demonstrating that dogs rehomed from laboratories make great companions.

The Beagle Alliance believes strongly in the power of community and in being able to have you join in on powerful conversations. We offer all of these Town Hall events for FREE, however should you like to donate a small gift towards these efforts, we would be so grateful. THANK YOU!
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