APRIL 2020 THE RIDER /15 Animal Welfare in Ontario – A Public Concern Now Publicly Funded


136, in January 2020, the Provin- cial Animal Welfare Services Act places enforcement of animal cruelty investigations into the hands of Ontario law enforce- ment. A toll-free number has been established for people to re- port concerns about animal dis- tress or abuse, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 1-833-9- ANIMAL (264625) Coulter was well versed in


Superior Court ruling deemed the OSPCA’s enforcement powers unconstitutional because, as a private entity, the organization is not subject to the same channels of oversight and accountability as police and public enforcement agencies. With the passing of Bill


explained we first need to look where we have been. In the be- ginning, animal protection was largely supported by the upper class who possessed the time and means to donate to not-for-profit organizations. The OSPCA was given policing powers for animal welfare cases in 1919. It was not until 2012 than the government of Ontario began to provide a small injection of public funding ($5.5M which eventually rose to $5.75M). During this time, an underfunded OSPCA relied on these dollars and donations to carry out animal cruelty investi- gations with only 91 officers. In Fall 2018, lack of funding was cited, when the OSPCA an- nounced it would move away from animal cruelty investiga- tions involving horses and farm animals. In the beginning of 2019, a


attendees through the history of horses’ roles and how they have changed from the days of car- riage horses and work horses where welfare issues were visible and rampant. Coulter only had to briefly mention the story of Black Beauty to have the whole audience relating. The horse of today is more often a companion animal and the term ‘sentient being’ sees a lot more use. Cases of abuse for today’s equine are not necessarily in the public’s view until they show up in the news headlines. To look forward, Coulter


Department of Labour Studies at Brock University and holds the Chancellor’s Chair for Research Excellence. Her research projects have studied humane jobs for both people and animals. A concise introduction took


Guelph, ON Feb, 26, 2020 - “Continuity and change in ani- mal protection work and policy” was the topic presented by Dr. Kendra Coulter at the University of Guelph on January 22, 2020. Coulter is the Chair of the


Whether it was kismet or fore- sight that Coul- ter’s research was focused on animal cruelty investigation models in 2018 when the cur- rent Ontario model needed to change; their team was ready with incredible supporting re- ports


Photo Caption: Dr. Kendra Coulter presents on animal protection at the University of Guelph


of the spectrum, Coulter said mental health or serious financial issues were often involved. Coul- ter also explained crimes of vio- lence against women and children have been linked with animal abuse cases.


trum of animal cruelty with three categories: 1) Behaviour that is not ideal for a clear reason, 2) Treatment of animals which con- travenes the law and 3) Heinous cases of animal abuse or neglect. For the first two categories, edu- cation programs could be consid- ered as part of the solution. At the heinous crimes end


95% of participants want to see more attention paid to preven- tion, whether through humane education and/or regular inspec- tion of businesses where animals are kept. [i] Coulter described a spec-


port, published May 2019: A More Humane and Safer Ontario: The Future of Animal Cruelty In- vestigations. One survey result revealed:


of animal cruelty cases that On- tario needs a thoughtful and well- coordinated public model,” says Coulter. “There is the potential for excellence.” Animal cruelty enforcement is no longer run by a not-for-profit charitable organization in On- tario. It is now a public responsi- bility, but what the new model will look like is still unclear. Coulter’s report concludes with optimism the strong message On- tario could send that crimes against animals will be unaccept- able and there is great potential to become a leader in anti-cruelty enforcement. One of the last slides in this presentation at the University of Guelph certainly provided food for thought on the important components of anti- cruelty enforcement. The list in- cluded: proper funding, shared resources such as veterinary forensics and animal care that will be pivotal to a successful fu- ture enforcement model. All police officers would re-


cause of the wide spectrum


cruelty cases. “It


p u b l i c l y funded system of law enforce- ment in animal


is be-


p r o v eme n t s that could re- sult


analysis. Coul- ter expounded about the po- tential


im- from a and


coming challenges, significance of training and resources in On- tario’s new cruelty investigation model and why public leadership will play an important role mov- ing forward, read the full report: A More Humane and Safer On-


quire some or additional training about animal crimes, the link be- tween human and animal abuse, and animal welfare. [ii] To learn more about the up-


tario: The Future of Animal Cru- elty Investigations.


[i] Coulter, Kendra, A More Hu- mane and Safer Ontario: The Fu- ture


Investigations, March 2019 https://humanejobs.org/a-more- humane-and-safer-ontario-the- future-of-animal-cruelty-investig ations/ March 2019, Pg. 27.


of Animal Cruelty


Investigations, March 2019 https://humanejobs.org/a-more- humane-and-safer-ontario-the- future-of-animal-cruelty-investig ations/ March 2019, Pg. 30.


Story by: Jackie Bellamy-Zions


[ii] Coulter, Kendra, A More Hu- mane and Safer Ontario: The Fu- ture


of Animal Cruelty


HORSES HUMANS HOPE: Now Available in Canada


HORSES HUMANS HOPE


is live and has been created to be the ultimate online directory of equine therapy providers across the US and Canada. The website is easy to use and works beauti- fully across all platforms includ- ing desktops, tablets and mobile devices. At no cost, Individuals can


quickly search and locate equine therapy providers in their area that have chosen to become a HORSES HUMANS HOPE di- rectory member by clicking the US and Canadian Maps located on the home page or by using the search tool located in the web- site’s header. Directory membership is


Standard or Premium member- ship level, new directory mem- bers can quickly build out their profiles which includes important options like selecting what types of equine therapy they offer, which professional trade associ- ations they belong to and the spe- cific populations they serve.


open to sole practitioners and or- ganizations across all disciplines of equine therapy including; Therapeutic Riding, Hippother- apy, Equine-Assisted Activities (EAA), Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT), Equine-Assisted Psy- chotherapy (EAP), Equine-As- sisted Learning (EAL) and more. After selecting a Basic,


Additional benefits of mem-


bership include the ability to add detailed information about their offerings, photo albums, videos, an event calendar, plus the capa- bility to offer coupons, receive reviews and much more. Directory members have ac-


cess to their profiles 24/7 and can make updates and revisions at any time. Members even receive a badge that can be added to their website and linked to their pro- file.


HORSES HUMANS HOPE


creator, Scott Helmer says, “I have toured across this great na- tion for nearly a decade helping to support equine therapy with my concerts and have seen the need for this type of resource for quite some time.” Adding, “This is very exciting!” The website also contains a


Premiering Sunday, April


19, 2020 at 7 PM EST, Scott Helmer will host the show and broadcast live from the road dur- ing his US Tour 2020, which will find him helping raise money and awareness for equine therapy programs across America for the ninth straight year. Learn more at his website. The show can be heard from


anywhere in the world on the HORSES HUMANS HOPE radio show page or on Spreaker. After airing, each broadcast will then become a Podcast available on multiple platforms including iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more.


“I’m taking the HORSES


Blog section that features the lat- est news and information about all things equine therapy.


HORSES HUMANS HOPE live radio show will share real life stories, news and information about equine therapy and the people it serves including; active duty military members and their families, veterans, first respon- ders, survivors of trauma, special needs kids and adults, and more.


RADIO SHOW Hosted by Scott Helmer, the


here: https://www.horseshuman- shope.com/blog/horses-humans- hope-now-available-in-canada


of all types can learn more and become a member now at the HORSES HUMANS HOPE website. Read online with live links


HUMANS HOPE directory and radio show, plus my equine ther- apy fundraising concert tour across America in 2020 and be- yond, and we’re going to put the spotlight on the work these in- credible groups of horses are hu- mans are doing like never before,” says Helmer. Equine Therapy providers


The best protection for you and your horse.


team have been studying animal cruelty investigations in Ontario and around the world. Part of this research included a public sur- vey, collecting the opinions of Ontarians, with important ques- tions gauging people’s levels of support for various investigation models. The level of engagement was incredible, with over 20,000 respondents, confirming the im- portance the public places on an- imal welfare. The fascinating results were included in her re-


the strengths and weaknesses of many enforcement options through her extensive research. Having conducted a survey of OSPCA officers, she was quick to point out their dedication in the face of very stressful situa- tions and the often-dangerous challenges they faced, especially when working alone, in remote locations with no 2-way radio. Since 2015, Coulter and her


CapriCMW is the official insurance partner for Ontario Equestrian and Provincial Equine Associations from coast to coast. We’re Canada’s most trusted insurance provider for equine enthusiasts and equine industry professionals.


Protect your horse with EquiCare, ask us how.


1 888 394 3330 capricmw.ca/equine


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64