TRAINING
More and more people wish to adopt so-called "production" animals and even go so far as to project the idea of creating a refuge or a sanctuary. To meet this exponential demand, I offer tailor-made training, individually or in small groups, in order to prepare and carry out such a project as well as possible. She also supports people who already live with so-called "farm animals", helping them to improve how they care for their animals in terms of feeding, grooming, and behavioral training.
Our association is also recognized by the Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs as an official training organization for pig and cow adoption.
Topics addressed, to be adapted according to the project:
Basic needs of animals according to their species
Routine care and emergency care
Adaptation of infrastructures and fences
Park management
Interspecies communication
Accompaniment to death
Logistics and administrative tasks
Financial management
Public communication and social networks
Networking
Event implementation
Education techniques
The courses can be run at the sanctuary itself, with food and accommodation included, over 1 to 5 days depending on the package.
For existing sanctuaries and refuges, I travel to provide training at your location (in Switzerland or Europe).
Courses can be given in French, English, Chinese (Mandarin) or Italian.
Prices are based on needs, duration and location of training.
For further information and to define your requirements, please send me an e-mail: info@asso-coexister.ch
Testimonies
I chose to train with Virginia Markus in relation to her approach and her respect for Animals. It was a really very rich training, in every way!!! Virginia adapts to our situation, evaluates our project and gives without limit. She shares her knowledge and experience so that our project is sustainable.
She is an upright, honest, transparent, humble, caring and fighting person. She is fair and educational. It provides the keys to welcoming and meeting the needs of different animal species, but also teaches the specific care to be given to each.
The sanctuary is a haven of peace and I thank each of the beautiful souls living there for their trust, their tenderness and for teaching me how to position myself.
Thank you infinitely and sincerely Virginia for all this learning, your support and your trust. I return richer, ready and therefore more motivated and full of emotions for my own project Patte dans la main...
Emilie
I have a lot of gratitude to Virginia for sharing her learnings about animals with us during these workshops. We obviously talked about practical aspects "on the ground" when we are surrounded by animals but we also addressed ethical issues and questions as well as techniques for understanding animals in a more subtle way about their needs and desires. These were very rich exchanges and always framed by great kindness, both on the part of Virginia and the participants. Thank you for these precious shares!
Anouck
A rich range of exchanges and advice transmitted in a very authentic way without fuss, a lot of humility and sincerity.
The essential points are addressed with concrete examples which gives a good starting point and above all a base of examples of fundamental actions to do/think and/or not to do and, also to be attentive to obstacles, pitfalls or unpleasant surprises along the way.
A day of mindfulness which was very useful to me and which opened the way to possibilities!
Thank you Virginia, you are a source of inspiration and motivation. Bravo for everything you do and the energy you give to an admirable cause.
Jasmina
These workshops allow us to acquire fundamental knowledge about animals and their real needs, not with the aim of exploiting them and getting something out of them, but with the sole desire to understand who they really are by learning to listen to them. , to observe and feel them in order to develop the ability to integrate their precious teachings. Virginia's advice and tips at a practical and theoretical level are essential and allow you to realize what managing a sanctuary and its inhabitants represents, which is essential if you plan to create one by yourself.
The workshops take place in a very warm and intimate atmosphere, where a lot of love and kindness are always felt. And of course, finish the workshops by tasting the delights of “Aux Pains Sans Peines" represents a perfect ending.
Laura
Your passion, your love and your generosity make training for pigs a real joy to experience. Beyond having a good time, you clearly give the keys to welcoming these wonderful beings into your home, the care, the techniques, the subtleties… etc. All this information which means that when we have the chance to take care of these animals we feel confident and we know where we are going - always with the unknown part of life which makes things so beautiful!
Looking forward to other formations and may other people take the path of inter-species coexistence :)
Raphaël
We had the honour of training at the Co&xister sanctuary and it was a wonderful experience! Virginia shared her knowledge of animals with us in an exceptionally caring way. We had started developing our animal sanctuary project with very little knowledge. The course taught us an enormous amount and Virginia was never judgemental. On the contrary, she was very patient and educational!
We were able to define the pace of the course with her beforehand and Virginia took advantage of every concrete situation to put into practice the theory she had taught us.
The course enriched us on a practical, emotional and personal level. It totally confirmed our desire to continue along this path and gave us a much clearer vision of the issues and challenges that will inevitably mark out our path. But we now have all the keys we need to bring our project to fruition. A billion thanks to these magnificent animals and their humans for allowing us to learn alongside them!