Animal welfare advocates plan two-day conference
Animal advocates, experts and citizens will gather Oct. 22-23 to explore obstacles to animal wellbeing and discuss opportunities to actively support animal welfare in communities across Oklahoma.
The 2018 Animal Conference is an opportunity for individuals interested in making a positive change for animals, including companion, farm, wildlife and zoo species, to interact with other advocates and leaders in various fields.
Animal advocates and community change experts will address issues in sessions throughout the two-day event.
Among the keynote speakers will be London-based wildlife photographer Tim Flach, who will discuss his up-close encounters with various species.
The results of a statewide research project that studied Oklahomans’ attitudes and values around animal treatment will be unveiled. Also, the Lutheran Comfort Dogs, seven Golden Retrievers deployed during tragedies, will be in attendance.
The conference, hosted by the Kirkpatrick Foundation, will be held at the Skirvin-Hilton Hotel. “This conference is an exciting extension of our Safe & Humane Initiative,” said Louisa McCune, Kirkpatrick Foundation executive director. “We welcome fellow animal advocates and anyone interested to join at the historic Skirvin Hotel as we explore innovative programs to make Oklahoma the safest, most humane place for animals by 2032.”
For details or to register, go to www.theanimalconference.com.
Winston Scambler, 18, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank within the Boy Scouts of America program. He is a member of Troop 193 chartered to All Souls Episcopal Church in Nichols Hills, under the direction of Scoutmaster John Heath.
Winston demonstrated leadership to others in a service project benefiting St. Augustine of Canterbury in northwest Oklahoma City. Using local reclaimed wood, a series of pews were constructed for a prayer area at the church.
Winston’s favorite Scouting memory is trekking through waist deep mud in the Alabaster Caverns. When asked about Scouting, Winston said, “Scouting is the greatest test of one’s aptitude in survival, ability in leadership and perseverance to complete something far greater than oneself.”
When not Scouting, Winston is a member of the National Honor Society and spent four years on the Model UN at his school, Heritage Hall. He has served as a page in the U.S. House of Representatives and as a panelist at the Sovereignty Symposium. He has been awarded the Heritage Hall Headmaster’s Award and an Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Fleming Scholar.
Winston believes Scouting proved to him that progress is day to day. His parents are Bruce Scambler and Jonna Kirschner-Scambler.