The ANIMAL Conference

On August 27 and 28, 2021, Kirkpatrick Foundation welcomed animal advocates to the third ANIMAL Conference at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center. Forty-six speakers and contributors from across the country presented during the two-day event, providing expert insights on current animal welfare issues. Oklahoma Contemporary's Showroom was transformed into the Cat Cafe, helping kittens from Tiny Paws Kitten Rescue find their forever homes, and giving conference-goers a place to sip coffee and relax. Lutheran Church Charities K-9 comfort dogs traveled around the city to spread a message of hope and love. To see more photos of the conference, visit Kirkpatrick Foundation's Facebook page. theanimalconference.com

From left: Duke University professor Dr. Brian Hare, a dog-behavior expert and author of Survival of the Friendliest; Dr. Philip Tedeschi of the University of Denver is the founder of the Institute of Human-Animal Connection. Lutheran Church Charities K-9 comfort dogs visit students at KIPP College Prep in Oklahoma City; speaker Amy Johnson, chair of the Department of Design at the University of Central Oklahoma; Lori Grange of the Hewlett Foundation; the 2021 Kirkpatrick Honor for Animal Wellbeing recipients Robin and Jamee Suarez; Dr. Michael J. Blackwell, DVM, former United States Assistant Surgeon General.