Best Friends Management Leadership Certification Program

Presented in collaboration with Southern Utah University (SUU), the program was developed to provide key shelter staff with the knowledge and support necessary to influence and manage change within their organizations. 

You’ll also learn about proven policies, procedures and programs that can meet your community’s lifesaving needs. We’ll show you how to create a data-driven action plan.  

Topics covered include understanding the evolution of animal welfare, defining management leadership, practicing well-being and resilience, making data-driven management decisions, influencing change as a manager, evaluating lifesaving programs, removing barriers to adoption, planning pilot programs, managing change and leading people.

Each week, you’ll be asked to complete two to three hours of assignments and journaling exercises to help you gain a better understanding of the course topics. You’ll also have the chance to participate in discussions with fellow students, along with a 90-minute cohort call.  

The course structure includes learning materials with practical and research-based examples from the field, regular access to industry leaders and subject-matter experts, a community to learn from and provide support, opportunities to gather every week as a group, one-on-one meetings with facilitators, small group sessions and regular weekly office hours with the course instructor.

You’ll also be able to speak clearly about what success looks like in animal services management, and you’ll know what strong leadership skills look like, preparing you to make changes for the animals in your community and beyond.  

Upon graduation, you’ll earn six academic credits. These six credits may matriculate into an SUU bachelor’s degree, a master of interdisciplinary studies degree or a master of public administration degree.