Our Wellness and Liberation Retreat for Animal Advocates
Please mark your calendar for June 28-30, 2019 for the Our Wellness and Liberation (OWL) Retreat at the Metta Meditation Center in Janesville, Minnesota. Follow this link to fill out the application to attend. The sooner you apply, the better your chances of being accepted, so apply today.
As a person who cares about animals, you may be traumatized by witnessing abused, neglected, or abandoned animals. Animal lovers who deeply empathize with our fellow Earthlings frequently feel distress, trauma, and anger.
This retreat is designed to help animal advocates take better care of themselves and be more successful in their activism. We will help you address compassion fatigue & burnout, learn about sustainable activism, better manage feelings of anger & frustration, de-stress, and connect with other activists that share your struggles. You will learn tools for self care.
Who Can Attend This Free Retreat?
The retreat is open to anybody who considers themselves an animal advocate, whether you rescue dogs, promote veganism, lobby for humane legislation at the capitol, protest fur stores, or help animals in any number of other ways. We welcome you at whatever stage you are at. We welcome everybody regardless of their religious or spiritual beliefs or practices, or lack thereof.
What’s Included in the Retreat?
The retreat will include 6 vegan meals, guided meditations, mindful movement, two nights of lodging, a view of the lake, beautiful nature trails, presentations, and more. The retreat will be free of charge. You must apply in advance to attend. If you are accepted, there is a fee if you do not attend.
Where Will This Retreat Be Held?
The retreat will be held at the Metta Meditation Center in Janesville, Minnesota, which is about 70 miles from Minneapolis. We encourage carpooling and will help coordinate rides for people who need them.
Although held as a Buddhist retreat center, our retreat is nonsectarian. Again, we welcome people from all secular and religious wisdom traditions to attend.
How Do I Register?
Please block out June 28-30, 2019 in your calendar for the retreat. On-site registration for the retreat will be from 3 to 5 pm on June 28th. Use this time to sign in, unpack, meet other attendees and familiarize yourself with the space and grounds. Programming starts at 5 pm on June 28 and ends at 3 pm on June 30. Follow this link to fill out the application. Spaces limited. Apply today to increase your chances of attending.
Want More Details About the Retreat?
Check our our Retreat Logistics page.
Enjoy these photos from last year’s retreat for animal advocates at the same location. Thanks to Nina for organizing the event, for allowing us to use her pictures, and for all of her help with this year’s event too.
How Is This Retreat Funded?
We offer this retreat for free through the generosity of many people who want to support animal advocacy.
These generous donors realize that most animal advocates have nothing to gain from their activism besides the satisfaction of helping others in need. Many animal advocates are volunteers who spend their own money and use their own free time to help animals. If you are willing and able to help cover the costs of lodging, provide a stipend for instructors, and cover the costs of the food, you can make a contribution here. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Sponsors so Far
If you belong to an organization interested in sponsoring this event, please contact us using this form.
