Getting Better All the Time

Happy Anniversary, the Work Continues

By James F. Gesualdi

To keep ahead, each one of us, no matter what our task, must search for new and better methods—for even that which we now do well must be done better tomorrow.
—James F. Bell

The "Getting Better All the Time" column commenced nine years ago this month. That makes this the 9th anniversary column, and the 81st installment for those who are counting. Reflecting back on the body of work which has led to this moment yields gratitude for the experience, work, and life changing, difference making. Milestones like this are worth noting so long as they are put to further good use. Nine years of thinking, creating, communicating, and sharing warrants acknowledgment, but that alone does not advance our calling on behalf of the animals we so love and respect. To stay authentic to this column’s good name, "Getting Better All the Time" requires never-ending growth and progress for animals and people, too.

Meaning Comes from What We Think and Make of Things

The passing of an animal or person, especially one beloved and/or in our attention, care, or heart, is often sad, even when theirs was a life well-lived in inspiration or service to others. Sometimes there may also be a rush to judgement (as well as eschewing responsibility), and, more positively, ideas and actions to honor the deceased. Deep and thoughtful examination of what happened and the associated causal factors takes time and eventually should lead to greater advances, improvements, and reforms. Even if those may not have changed the outcome, they may genuinely help other animals (and/or people as the case may be).

Death is a part of life, and it will one day be a milestone of another sort that we encounter. It happens in unremarkable and truly horrific ways. We who remain for a time mourn, remember, and honor those who have passed, especially all the good they brought to our lives and this world of ours. Thankfully, all of that lives on undiminished in our hearts and minds. Cognizant of that, we carry on and do better.

Excellence (Beyond Compliance®) in Advancing Animals’ Interests, Protection, and Well-Being

Honorably and rightfully, laying claim to "Excellence" is only possible when we unceasingly do the work. Work that moves past comforting and consoling each other and any impacted animals. Work that demonstrates our love and respect for animals through learning and growing from every passing, including the expected ones. What might we have done differently, earlier, later, or not at all? Are our animal welfare assessments and special needs, whole life, and end of life (quality of life) assessments and processes doing all they can with and for the animals and their caregivers? Our burning desire to be better and curiosity about things drive us toward excellence in the real world as opposed to recitations of such limited to paper or screen.

Start with Humility on the Road to Continuous Improvement

Humility opens us up to understanding that we can be and do better. The starting point is being honest with ourselves and embracing our responsibility for what may have happened (even if there was nothing "wrong"), as well as for what we can do to make ourselves better and more effective. Constructive action pursuant to the self-examination and questions above makes things better.

The Complete Listing of "Getting Better All the Time" Columns (View in the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Academy Newsletter Archives)

"Name It," April 2015
"Be There," May 2015
"You Can," June 2015
"Today Matters," July 2015
"The Magic Power of Words," August 2015
"Building Blocks: Key Leaders, Self-Examination, Entrance Briefings, and Inspection Checklists," September 2015
"Can You Hear Me Now: Effective Listening for Better Outcomes," October 2015
"Turning Challenges into Opportunities: The Principles of Constructive Engagement," November 2015
"Opportunities Abound," December 2015
"Learning to Facilitate Change for the Better," January 2016
"Comforting Animals and Their Caregivers," February 2016
"Sustaining Continuous Improvement through Professional Development," March 2016
"A Year of Learning Together Lays Out the Path Forward," April 2016
"Doing Greater Good for the Animals in Our Care," May 2016
"Challenges, Concerns, and Criticisms Open the Door to Constructive Conversation," June 2016
"Lift Yourself Up," July 2016
"The 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Animal Welfare Act," August 2016
"Learning from Your Successes and Challenges," September 2016
"Humility, Civility, and the Public Trust," October 2016
"Giving of Ourselves, Planning Thoughtfully, and Thanksgiving for Caregiving," November 2016
"Bringing People Together to Make a Difference (for Animals and People)," December 2016
"Training Ourselves to Better Serve Animals (with Patricia A. Milito)," January 2017
"Changing for Good," February 2017
"Making Inspection Reports Work for Animals," March 2017
"Keeping People Safe to Protect Animals," April 2017
"Gratitude for Growth by Learning," May 2017
"An Enlightened Caregiver's Creed on Serving Animal Interests and Well-Being," June 2017
"Leveraging Animal Welfare Act and USDA Information Resources to Do More for Animals," July 2017
"Caring Professionals Dedicated to the Well-Being of Animals," August 2017
"More Effectively Doing Right By Animals," September 2017
"Improving Animals’ Lives Every Day," November 2017
"A Cost-Effective and Time-Effective Way to Proactively Promote AWA Compliance and Enhance Animal Welfare," December 2017
"Applying USDA Guidance to Improve Yourself, Strengthen Your Team and Organization, and Better Serve Animals," January 2018
"The Changes We Seek for Animals and People Start from Within," March 2018
"A Responsible Framework for Utilizing Third-Party Reviews to Advance Animal Welfare and Provide Greater Transparency," May 2018
"Doing Makes the Difference in Becoming the Best We Can Be in Championing Animals' Interests," August 2018
"Serving Gratefully Is the Highest Form of Giving Thanks," November 2018
"Meaningful Holiday Gifts in Service of Animals and their Well-Being," December 2018
"Making All the Difference in the World Starts with One Thought or Idea, One Action, and One Animal (with Sabrina Brando)," January 2019
"Tending to One's Own Wellness," February 2019
"Progress Without Judgment: Shifting from Being Right to Doing Right for Animals," March 2019
"Four Years of Continuously Improving in Our Mission to Serve Animals, Their Interests, and Their Well-Being," April 2019
"Sharing Our Experiences, Expertise, and Insights Makes Us All Better," May 2019
"Shining a Light on Others’ Good Works," June 2019
"Being Dedicated to the Animals Entrusted to Your Care (with Patricia A. Milito)," July 2019
Supporting the Cause of Animal Protection: Words from the Heart," November 2019
"Making It All About the Animals Makes All the Difference," December 2019
"Investing Our Thoughts and Actions in this Moment—to Continuously Improve Things That Matter," February 2020
"Understanding How the World Sees You Through the Animal Welfare Act Database, and Mastering That Knowledge to Help Animals," March 2020
"Now More than Ever, We Are All in This Together: Here’s How We Will Get Through This," April 2020
"Staying Focused on Doing Our Part to Keep Pushing Forward Together," May 2020
"Animal Welfare Act Compliance: Necessary for Lawful Operation, Essential During a Pandemic, and the Starting Point for Successful Animal Welfare Programs," June 2020
"Providing Good ‘Insurance’ For the Animals in Zoological Organization Care—through the Latest Animal Welfare Act Developments and Guidance," July 2020
"Stake Out a Higher Perspective and Step Up Preparations Amid Great Uncertainty, as Well as Regulatory Change, to Come Out in a Better Place," August 2020
"Doing Good Work(s) Serving Animals and Others Changes Everything," September 2020
"How to Build Public Confidence and Trust," October 2020
"Seven Steps to Regulatory and Reputational Success with Animal Welfare Act Compliance," November 2020
"The Practice of Giving Thanks and How Mentoring Helps Us Help Animals," November 2020
"Creating a Better Future for the Zoological Community, One Zoological Organization at a Time—Starting with Yours," December 2020
"Leading from the Heart for Animals," May 2021
"Loving (and Respecting) Animals Out Loud—Without Saying a Word," August 2021
"Regulatory Developments Open the Door for Proactive, Constructive Action," September 2021
"Giving Thanks for Doing Work that Makes Our Lives ‘Good for Something,’ " November 2021
"A Holiday Wish List for Making Animals’ Lives Better: Doing Good for Goodness’ Sake," December 2021
"With All of Our Caregiving, Caretaking, and Giving to Others, We Must Remember to Take Good Care of Ourselves," February 2022
"Joyfully, Lovingly, and Creatively Using Our Lives and the Animal Welfare Act to Safeguard Animals and People," May 2022
"Making Things Even Better—with What We Have, What We Learn Here, How We Think, and What We Create," August 2022
"Thinking About Thanksgiving in a Heartfelt New Way," November 2022
"Making the Most of the Gift We Receive Every Day," December 2022
"Learning from Life Itself Helps Us Positively Impact Animals’ Lives," January 2023
"Caregiving Is Love in Action," February 2023
"Help in Navigating the New Animal Welfare Act Bird Regulations and Using Them to Make Things Better for Birds and Other Animals," March 2023
"Still Working with All My Heart to Do More Good to Advance Animals’ Interests, Protection, and Well-Being," April 2023
"Protection, Safety, and Security of Zoo Wildlife Begins at Home," May 2023
"Keeping a Good Heart Builds and Restores Trust (with Don Janssen, DVM)," August 2023
"New Beginnings and the Animal Welfare Act—Action Steps to Help You Help Wildlife," October 2023
"Attaining Greater Practical Understanding of the New Bird Regulations to Bolster Inspection Readiness and to Benefit Birds," December 2023
"Take Time, Count Your Blessings, Be Ever Thankful, and You Will Be Even More Grateful," December 2023
"Agency Educational, Electronic, and Enforcement Efforts Under the Animal Welfare Act Protect Animals and Provide for Accountability," February 2024
"Universal ‘Laws’ (With Some Good Practices) to Make This a Better World for Animals," February 2024 (extra)

Now Is Always the Time

Now is the time. It always is the time, the only time we are gifted, and we get to choose what we give to animals and others from that gift. Milestone(s) duly noted above, now is the time to be and do better for animals. The work continues.

The secret of happiness: Find something more important than you are and dedicate your life to it.
—Daniel C. Dennett