SHELTER HAVEN is a safe, compassionate space for volunteers of the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) to come together, share, breathe, and heal. As your hosts, we—Sophie Gamand, an artist, advocate, and secular animal chaplain, and Katya Lidsky, writer, creative grief coach and breathwork facilitator—welcome you to this virtual gathering, open to volunteers from all seven DACC locations.

In this space, we hope you find a supportive community where all emotions are valid and embraced. Together, we’ll identify, explore, and release difficult feelings in a nurturing environment. Through breathwork, reflective exercises, and open discussion, we will aim to help you strengthen your coping mechanisms and process whatever comes up. We’ll also encourage building connections with your fellow volunteers, so you can feel supported and understood.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by loss, compassion fatigue, the daily challenges of volunteering, or simply feel called to join us, SHELTER HAVEN offers a place of acceptance, comfort, creativity and curiosity. Come as you are, and leave each session feeling calmer, more grounded, and better equipped with tools to care for yourself as you continue to care for the animals.

UPCOMING DATES:

Tuesday June 17th, 2025 (special Remembrance Group)
Thursday July 17th
Thursday August 28th

Please RSVP here and a Zoom link will be emailed prior to the group.

FEEDBACK NEEDED!

Have you taken a minute to give Katya and I feedback about the monthly group? If not, please do. And consider submitting it after each group. This really helps us understand how to best support you and prepare for future groups.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Under the leadership of DACC’s Volunteer Programs Director Christine Quesada, a group of volunteers came together to create support tools for volunteers. These tools are listed in a brochure that you can access here:

  • Free one-on-one therapy sessions offered to DACC volunteers

  • ACC-specific chat groups (each shelter has a specific chat groups). These chats are for practical questions and support. Staff may see messages and share information in these groups.

  • DACC chat groups for fosters: DACC Kitten/Adult Cat Fosters and DACC Puppy/Adult Dog Fosters. These groups are for practical questions and support (training, medical, general questions, etc.). Note that staff may see messages and share information in these groups.

  • Shelter Haven monthly support group. A space to share and listen, be in community, and talk about challenges, wins, and feelings that come up while we volunteer. These groups are for volunteers only and not monitored by staff.

GRIEF SUPPORT

If you are experiencing grief associated with your work as a volunteer, we highly recommend these additional support groups dedicated to animal loss specifically: