“My 7 year old wants a pet of their own.” “Is my son ready to walk to dog?” “Is it safe to get a new pet with a baby in the house?” Animals can have a magical effect on children - they provide comfort, companionship, life lessons, opportunities to learn how to care for something outside of oneself, and, in many cases, a healing touch. However, having a pet in the family should be a privilege and done in a way that is safe for both child and animal. Please join us for a panel discussion with top animal experts from Eugene to talk about ways to effectively parent with pets. Free event - donations graciously accepted Panel Presenters: Sandra Smalley, DVM - a veterinarian who has practiced companion animal medicine in Eugene for over 38 years. During that time, she helped countless families navigate the journey of pet ownership with children of all ages Cary Lieberman - Greenhill’s Executive Director since October 2007. In 2009, Cary received his designation as a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator. Cary also has a background in psychology and 3 children of his own. Sasha Elliott - Community Engagement Manager, Greenhill. Sasha has worked for Greenhill and 1st Avenue Shelter in a variety of roles since 2013, including Communications and Events Manager, Animal Care Technician, Donor Relations Associate and Community Engagement Manger. During that time, she has helped educate the community about the pros and cons of pet ownership and helped connect them to resources to make the best decisions about pet ownership for their household. Anita Huffman - Program Manager, Parenting Now! Anita Huffman has counseled tens of thousands of parents over her 37 years as a parenting educator. She has helped parents in all aspects of their journey, including pet ownership.