Wild about We-care

An online workshop for leadership in animal wellbeing and conservation related professions

🌿 Why We Struggle with We-Care

In animal wellbeing, conservation, and related professions, care is at the heart of everything we do - yet caring for care itself is often the hardest part. Organisations, like ecosystems, are made up of interconnected systems. When horizontal (across departments and teams) and vertical (across leadership layers) connections weaken, the culture of care becomes fragmented.

Many leaders and organisations face:

Too many projects and activities, too little time, budget, and people
Burnout & empathic strain: passion for animals and nature sometimes comes at the cost of personal wellbeing.
Fragmented cultures: when individual, team, and organisational values aren’t aligned, care gets lost in daily pressures.
Tokenistic DEEI Efforts: diversity, equity, equality, and inclusion remain surface-level rather than deeply rooted.
Systemic barriers: rigid structures and outdated leadership models block innovation, collaboration, and trust.
Silenced conversations: difficult topics like conflict, power dynamics, or safety are avoided instead of being addressed.

These and other challenges ripple through the whole ecosystem of work. When we neglect collective care, it doesn’t just affect individuals; it undermines the sustainability of our teams, the strength of our organisations, and the impact of our mission.

☀️ Why We-Care Matters

When we neglect collective care, it doesn’t just affect individuals; it weakens the web of connections that links people, animals, and purpose together.

Imagine working in an organisation full of passionate people, all giving their best… but the culture doesn’t support wellbeing, conversations are avoided, or care gets lost in the daily rush. The result? Burnout, disconnection, and silos, even when the intentions are good.

We-Care and organisational success are not at odds. In fact, they are deeply interconnected: when we nurture care across all layers of an organisation - individual, team, leadership, and systemic, we create healthier, more resilient spaces where both people and animals can flourish.

We often underestimate how much small, consistent practices of care - listening, inclusion, trust-building, or wellbeing rituals — can transform a workplace ecosystem.

We-Care isn’t “soft” or optional: bringing mindfulness and hearfulness is foundational. By breaking down vertical and horizontal barriers and seeing organisations as interconnected ecosystems, we strengthen the bonds that sustain meaningful, purpose-driven work.

That’s why Wild About We-Care was created: a space to pause, reimagine, and rediscover what a true culture of care looks like in action, so we can flourish together in the vital work of conservation, education, animal wellbeing, and other collective goals.

🎯 Core Focus

Leadership through care: Exploring how through mindfulness and heartfulness, empathy, compassion, and community values strengthen leadership in animal and conservation fields.
We-Care mindset: Shifting from “I lead” to “we co-create and flourish”, building cultures of collective responsibility and shared wellbeing.
Resilience & sustainability: Supporting both people and the missions to prevent burnout and ensure long-term impact.

🌿 Introduction Wild about We-care

Wild About We-Care was created to support leaders and professionals in animal wellbeing, conservation, and related fields who are committed to making a difference — and to doing so sustainably. In these purpose-driven roles, care is at the heart of everything we do. Yet, the very systems and organisations we operate in often make it difficult to maintain a culture of care for people, teams, and the mission itself.

This workshop approaches leadership and organisational wellbeing through the One Care lens, seeing organisations as ecosystems of interconnected systems. Horizontal (across teams) and vertical (across leadership layers) connections are crucial: when they weaken, care and collaboration are fragmented, and burnout, silos, and disconnection can take root. A movement to a community of work approach will be explored and expanded on.

Wild About We-Care was designed to address these challenges and empower leaders to:

Restore wellbeing and resilience for individuals, teams, and the broader organisation.
Create connected, thriving cultures, aligning values across all levels of the ecosystem.
Embed authentic DEEI practices, moving beyond tokenism to genuine inclusion, equity, and belonging.
Shift systems, not just symptoms, breaking down structural and cultural barriers that impede care.
Open brave spaces, fostering safe, transparent, and courageous conversations that strengthen trust and collaboration.

Participants will explore practical strategies, share experiences across regions and roles, and leave with tools and practices they can return to anytime. This workshop is about flourishing together: supporting not just individual wellbeing, but also the collective wellbeing of organisations, the teams within them, and the animals and communities they serve.

Wild About We-Care is a space to pause, reflect, and reimagine what a true culture of care looks like - one where people, purpose, and ecosystems thrive in harmony.

✨ What you’ll experience

In Wild About We-Care, you’ll spend two sessions in a supportive, practical, and inspiring space. Here’s what you can look forward to:

Explore different One Care approaches that strengthen people, teams, and organisations
Reflect on your organisation as an ecosystem of systems, and identify where care can grow
Learn practical ways to break down horizontal and vertical barriers that fragment culture
Celebrate and share stories of collaboration and community that inspire our work
Connect with peers across professions, organisations, and regions
Leave with resources, practices, and a shared language of We-Care, you can return to anytime

🐾 Save my spot in the workshop

Here’s a quick hello from me — and why I created Wild About We-Care for people in organisations like yours. Coming soon!

About your facilitator

Hi, I‘m Sabrina, a psychologist who loves the outdoors, laughter, journeys, and connecting with others, including other animals! How are you (but then really) & can you please tell me a story, are two of my favourite questions. Stories of call kinds can inspire, bring us joy, connection, and help us heal. Stories and ACTs can affect change. One of my favourite quotes is along the lines of ‘What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say’ by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It connects deeply to my ideas around flourishing for all. For peoples, other animals, the greater community of life, and this beautiful planet we share. To listen, learn, share, and act from a culture of respect and care. I look forward to connecting with you.

I am currently a PhD researcher in the Psychology Department at the University of Stirling in Scotland, focusses on individual, team, leadership, and organisational aspects of human wellbeing in zoos and aquariums. My book Caring together & Wild about Self-care are coming out in 2026, so stay tuned!

We all need support, training, a sense of belonging, and care. At INTERBEING AnimalConcepts we talk about Take Care to Give Care. When we care for ourselves, we can better care for each other. When we take care to give care, everyone benefits. I have a lot of training and practices to share with you and hope to see you online!

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? - Mary Oliver

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others - Mahatma Gandhi

🗓 Workshop details

Format: 2 sessions, each 4.5 hours
Dates: November 16 & 17, 2025 (two time zone options)
Morning sessions – for Europe and eastward regions
Afternoon sessions – for Europe and westward regions
Location: Online (links provided after registration)
Included:
- 60-minute webinar prior to the event to help you prepare a We-care inventory to use during the workshop
- 90-minute follow-up webinar to check in & help with next steps/questions

🌍 Who is it for?

This workshop is open to all individuals in managerial/leadership positions in animal wellbeing and conservation. Directors, people & culture teams, and CEOs, everyone in charge of supporting and facilitating employee wellbeing, is welcome.

Caring Together: The book

Individuals, teams, leaders, and organisations working to achieve excellence in wild animal care and conservation efforts, such as saving species and protecting wild places, all benefit from a culture of care. People truly are the most important boon in an organisation, bringing expertise, value, ideas, and connections. People are the drivers and makers of change. However, to give good care and do good work sustainably, we must feel well. This means taking care and knowing how to do so. This means understanding self-care and the importance of creating and maintaining a good work ‘we-care’ environment. AnimalConcepts’ One Care approach is at the core of this book. This means holistic programs and interventions designed to support wellbeing at an individual and organisational level. This book is rooted in the latest science and combines 30+ years of experience, my PhD, with inspirations from a wide variety of fields, case studies, and success stories. It will give the reader a deeper insight into what is meant today by a good working environment, including DEEI and actionable steps to create a culture of care at all levels. This book is for all organisations caring for and working on behalf of wild animals, such as zoos, aquariums, wildlife centres, sanctuaries, and rehabilitation centres, but it would benefit any organisation interested in good human wellbeing in the workplace. Compassionate self-care (individuals) and we-care (teams, leadership, and organisational) approaches will support the flourishing of animals, people, and the planet. When we take care to give care, everyone benefits.

Learn more about the forthcoming book, which includes ideas, approaches, and frameworks that are reflected in the Wild about We-care workshop.

📖 I want to learn more about this book

"One of Sabrina's best qualities as a speaker/teacher, is the way she helps you understand. It's in such a humane way, she really cares about everyone and you can feel it. The atmosphere is relaxed and uplifiting. You'll find both small and bigger changes in thinking and problem solving, that helps you either as a pro and/or as a human being. Well, in general. I just loved Sabrina's lectures! She made a huge impact on my thinking..." ~ Sissa

The Workshop Program

Wild about Self-care takes place over two 4.5-hour sessions.

Each one blends learning, reflection, and practical application.

You can also download the full program for more details below soon!

🌿 Yes, I’m ready for We-care

FAQ Section

Q: Who is this workshop for?
A: Wild About We-Care is designed for leaders, directors, CEOs, and professionals in People & Culture or related roles within animal wellbeing, conservation, and related organisations. Anyone interested in creating healthier, more connected organisational ecosystems is welcome.

Q: Is the workshop online?
A: Yes! The workshop is fully online, allowing participants from around the world to join without travel.

Q: What will I gain from attending?
A: You’ll leave with practical strategies, resources, and tools to strengthen We-Care across individuals, teams, and organisations. You’ll also gain new perspectives on leadership, collaboration, DEEI, and creating resilient organisational ecosystems.

Q: Will I receive a certificate?
A: Yes. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance, recognising their commitment to fostering care and professional growth.

Q: Do I need prior experience in leadership or wellbeing programs?
A: No prior experience is required — only a willingness to explore, reflect, and apply We-Care approaches in your work.

Q: Can I attend if I’m in a different time zone?
A: Absolutely! The same program is run twice on consecutive days to accommodate different regions.

Q: Will resources be available after the workshop?
A: Yes. Participants will receive guides, practices, and resources that can be revisited anytime to support ongoing We-Care practices.

Q: Will the sessions be recorded?
A: Not for this workshop. It is a live event to connect, learn, and share together.

Q: Do I need to attend both days?
A: Yes, the workshop is split across two sessions (a total of 8 hours).

Q: What if I can’t make my time zone’s session?
A: You’re welcome to attend whichever option works best for you.

Q: Is there a certificate of attendance?
A: Yes, all participants will receive one.

Q: Can I pay in installments?
A: Yes, just reach out via the contact form below, and we can help you set that up.

Q: Can I learn more about Sabrina's credentials and background?
A: Absolutely, just reach out via the contact form below, and she can send you her CV and publication list (soon also available directly on this website).

Ready to explore We-care?

Join us for the Wild about We-Care workshop and take home tools and resources to sustain the wellbeing of staff throughout the organisation, and further the important missions you have.

🌍 I’m in — Let’s do this together

Join and contribute

By choosing this option, you’re also supporting our Acts of Kindness program, paying forward opportunities for others in the community

Join and Pay it forward €197

Supported

Choose the supported rate if this helps make the workshop accessible for you.

Pay €97

Why are there two price options?

We know that many people working in animal wellbeing and conservation do so out of passion, not for high salaries. At the same time, offering high-quality, interactive training takes resources to create and sustain.

That’s why we offer two price points:

€97 – Supported Rate: This helps keep the workshop accessible for those with limited financial means.

€197 – Contribution Rate: If you are able, this option not only covers your seat but also supports our Acts of Kindness program, which pays forward training opportunities for others in the community who may not otherwise be able to join, including this event.

For example, for every 2 people joining and contributing, we can donate a space, or partly support those who apply to the program. We actively let people know on this page how many spaces have been donated. If you can, please help others.

This way, we take care of one another — ensuring that financial barriers don’t prevent people from accessing self-care, while also sustaining the work needed to offer these programs.

Need more support? Just reach out to Sabrina for other available options via the contact form below.

During her presentations, Sabrina Brando does not just give us the definition of the word “compassion”. She shows us through concrete examples and fascinating research how to improve our wellbeing, our colleagues and organisation, and our community. A seminar of public utility for any professional working with animals, human or non-human. ~ Lisa

Organisations we've worked with

Purpose and values

We are committed to helping all people care for animals and for themselves

One Care

We are committed to animal and human wellbeing, for individuals and organisations

Diversity, Inclusion, & Equity

We are dedicated to creating a more diverse, equal, and inclusive world for all

Connect with us

Do you have a question? A suggestion or idea you want to share? Use the contact form we will get back to you shortly! You can also email us on sbrando(@)animalconcepts.eu