Achieving CAWA Professional Accreditation in Animal Welfare
By Sean Hawkins, CAWA
Executive Director | Santa Maria Valley Humane Society
When I was just out of high school, I started the first free spay / neuter clinic in Houston, Texas to prevent homeless puppies and kittens from ending up in area animal shelters. That program became the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program which grew to operate clinics across Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Never intending my passion of helping animals as a career path, I was hired by Cleveland Amory as the Regional Director of The Fund for Animals and later served in leadership roles with the American Humane Association, Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando and currently with Santa Maria Valley Humane Society. After thirty years of helping animals, I am really excited to share with you that last month I succeeded in obtaining the highest level designation for animal welfare professionals, Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA).
The CAWA designation acknowledges expertise and the accomplishments of non-profit and municipal animal welfare executives across the United States, Canada and other parts of the world. The professional certification program, administered by the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA), distinguishes top-level leaders working in animal welfare agencies for their knowledge, experience and expertise. There are currently only around 170 professionals who have achieved this designation.
CAWA candidates must meet strict eligibility requirements in leadership, management, and animal welfare experience, and then successfully pass a rigorous exam, developed to assess the highest standards for competency as both a leader and animal welfare expert.
The CAWA exam measures knowledge and skills in non-profit organization administration, management, human resource development, public relations, philanthropy, animal care, and veterinary medicine for shelter pets. James Tedford, CAWA, SAWA president & chief executive officer, commented “The certification program is a demonstration of the highest standards of leadership and management among nonprofit organizations, and we congratulate Sean Hawkins, CAWA on his achievement not only for the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society, but for the entire Central California Coastal community. It’s a very impressive distinction.”
The field of animal welfare is more dynamic than ever – both good and bad happen every day. With fires, floods, and hurricanes, we have our dark days, but far more often, our days are filled with caring, compassion and hope. Rescuing an animal in need, mending broken bones, and healing pets and families are parts of the job almost every day. In animal welfare, we are at the center of the human experience. What CAWA professionals do helps to illustrate and define our relationships with animals – through our compassion, experience and persistence.
The Society of Animal Welfare Administrators is a community of professionals committed to excellence in the management and operation of animal welfare and control organizations. SAWA provides the practical knowledge, resources and solutions members need to grow as professionals, achieve the goals of their organizations, and, collectively, advances the animal welfare profession. I am proud to be among its colleagues.