Forestry England
- Committee Member
- Executive Member
Key Contact
Katy David
Head of Marketing & Supporter Development
People and Dogs in the Outdoors – ORN Conference
This event has now passed
Tuesday - Wednesday
12 - 13 February 2019
Lynford Hall Hotel, Thetford
The Outdoor Recreation Network hosted the ‘People and Dogs in the the Outdoors’ Conference in Lynford Hall Hotel on the 12th and 13th February 2019. Recordings of the presentations are now available to watch-on-demand. Presentation Slides can also be downloaded.
ORN thank the Forestry England and The Kennel Club for all their hard work and making this conference so worthwhile and enjoyable for delegates. A special thanks to all those who spoke at the conference.
Over the course of two days delegates heard from key policy-makers, stakeholders, academics and practicioners about important contemporary policy and practice matters. This event particularly focused on practical management measures, with lots of good practice sharing and networking opportunities.
Key Themes from the ORN Seminar
We asked you what the legacy of the seminar should be and what role ORN can take on the topic of dogs in the outdoors moving into the future. The key ORN takeaways proposed by delegates were:
- * Create a common language and code of practice on managing dogs in the outdoors across stakeholder organisations
- * Advocating the proven benefits of dog companionship on people’s health and wellbeing
- * Increase awareness of the revenue generation that comes from dogs owners to greenspace sites and conservation
- * Explore potential of a condensed training day for staff tasked with managing dogs in the outdoors
- * Create a “People and Dogs in the Outdoors Forum” of relevant stakeholders (landowners, recreation, health and disability etc)
- * Collate a library of good practice to guide practitioners in their day-to-day work
Conference Programme
Conference Day 1
Registration Opens & Refreshments upon arrival
Welcome and Introductions
Mike Seddon Director of Operations, Forestry England and Caroline Kisko Secretary, The Kennel Club
10 Years On - Reflections on Dog Management
A reflection upon the progress and development in the thinking, policy and practice of Dog Management over the last 10 years since previous ORN Seminar.
Stephen Jenkinson Access Advisor, The Kennel Club
Introduction to canine sports in the forest
An introduction and overview to canine sports in Thetford Forest, partnership work to date, and emerging trends in canine sports. How canine sports work in practice from a landowner perspective and how this is managed in a working forest environment with multiple different users will be considered.
Caroline Kisko Secretary, The Kennel Club and Victoria Tustian Volunteer Advisor, Forestry England
Lunch
Bark Ranger School - Building skills for forest friendly walks with your dog
A demonstration of the fun dog training sessions developed in the New Forest NP.
Dawn Rayment People & Wildlife Ranger, New Forest National Park Natalie Light Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist, Nat Dogs Ltd
Introduction to the afternoon session
Lightening Presentations- Hot Dog Topics
A fast paced session in which a panel will cover a variety of ‘hot topics’ related to dog management in the outdoors.
Dr. Katrina Brown Senior Researcher in Animal-Human Relations, James Hutton Institute
Alison Kohler Director of Conservation & Communities, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Question & Answer Session
Exploration of opportunities and best practice. Your opportunity to ask the experts
Tea and Coffee
Inclusive Design for Assistance Dogs & Human Partners
This session will provide good practice examples on how to plan for, welcome, and support Assistance dogs and their human partners.
Peter Gorbing, CEO, Dogs for Good
Finding The Right Balance Examples of pro-active work taken to address conflict between different users of the outdoors.
Examples of pro-active work taken to address conflict between different users of the outdoors.
Des Payne Safety Team Leader, British Horse Society
Day 1 wrap-up & close
‘Walk In The Dark’ in Thetford Forest (Optional)
Based on the exciting new “Bark after Dark” concept which is being held on Forestry Commission England sites, all delegates are warmly invited to join in a postconference walk in the woods adjacent to the hotel. There will be an opportunity to hear about some of the work the Forestry Commission is doing with the Blue Cross to encourage visitors and their fourlegged friends to walk after-dark whilst raising funds to care for homeless pets. Please bring bring a warm coat, sturdy footwear and a head torch.
Jake Stafford, Active Forest Co-ordinator, Forestry Commission England Nicky Russell, Recreation Ranger Thetford Forest, Forestry Commission England
Seminar Dinner & After Dinner Speaker
A delicious 3 course meal in Lynford Hall Hotel and opportunity to network mid-conference. After dinner we will be joint by clients of Dogs for Good Janet and Joel Sayer who will share the positive impact Caddie has had on their family.
Conference Day 2
Sled Dogs Demonstration In Thetford Forest
A rare opportunity to see sled dogs being trained in Thetford Forest. Experience the sights and sounds of an early morning husky training session and speak with the ‘Mushers’
Registration opens & refreshments
Welcome & Introductions to Day 2
The business benefits of welcoming dogs and their owners to your estate.
A brief look into the value of welcoming dogs to your estate and some of the campaigns that Forestry England have undertaken for dog owners
Josephine Lavelle, Head of Marketing, Brand & Communication, Forestry England
Commercial Dog Walking
Insights into the profession and how landowners and managers can influence this group of regular users.
Stephen Jenkinson, Access Advisor, The Kennel Club
Healthy People: staying healthy & keeping safe
Overview of ongoing research with dog owners focused on the physical and mental health benefits of dog walking and ownership. This session also includes a summary of research undertake on dog bite prevention and top tips on how to reduce the risk of getting bitten by a dog/
Dr. Carri Westgarth BSc MPH PhD, Lecturer in Human-Animal Interaction, University of Liverpool
Tea and Coffee
Healthy dogs: latest issues & practical management implications
In this session we will be joined by a range of experts in animal disease and the good practice management on protecting dogs in the outdoors.
Bridgette Hall, Head of Recreation, Forestry Commission England
Andrew Hoppit, Oak Processionary Moth Project Manager, Forestry Commission England
Kevin Lafferty, Policy Advisor Access Health & Recreation, Forestry Commission Scotland
Jeremy Kirk MA PhD VetMB MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon, Paul Jarman Veterinary Practice
Healthy Environment
Good practice learning from the work undertaken in the New Forest National Park to help dog owners be part of a healthy environment.
Dawn Rayment, People and Wildlife Ranger, New Forest National Park
Shaping the legacy of the conference What role can ORN take on the topic of dogs in the outdoors
Putting conversations into action! This delegate action planning session will be facilitated by Forestry England and the Kennel Club
Stephen Jenkinson Access Advisor, The Kennel Club and Bridgette Hall Head of Recreation, Forestry England
Day 2 wrap-up & close
Lunch and Depart
