Speaking Events

• June 2022 Human Animal Support Services Behavior Job-A-Like- "Problem-Oriented Behavior Records"

• July 2022 Best Friends National Conference- "Creating Consistency and Clarity with Training Protocols for Dogs in Shelters."

• May 2023 HSUS Pet Care Expo- "Functional Rewards for Everyday Dog Interactions."

• April 2024 Maddie's Fund Camp Maddie - "Coaching Dog-Dog Interactions" presentation, plus three post-event workshops centered around the same topic

• May 2024 HSUS Pet Care Expo- "Solutions for Dogs with Big Feelings" (Workshop) and "Building Owner Support Programs" (Learning Lab)

Work Experience

Oakland Animal Services 2022 to Present

Dog Behavior Coordinator

• Evaluation of individual dog behavior to assist in determining appropriate outcome pathways

• Supervision of daily dog playgroups in the shelter

• Rollout of problem-oriented behavior reporting

• Drafting documentation, including a comprehensive dog-dog practices document highlighting how to use information in reports for matching dogs to potential adopters and fosters

• Building volunteer training modules for dog playgroups within BetterImpact

• Remote documentation of dog behavior in the shelter, specifically dog-dog assessments

• Remote report-writing summarizing available records of dog behavior in and out of the shelter

• Obtained a grant, oversaw logistics, and spoke at a "Community Building Dog Behavior Day" sponsored by Maddie's Fund that invited local shelter staff and volunteers to learn about dog behavior and network

Dogs Playing for Life: Canine Center Florida 2020

Independent Contractor

• Advanced behavior and training in a population of dogs with challenging behaviors, including those with severe bite histories

Petaluma Animal Services Foundation 2013-2019

Animal Control Officer - 2018 to 2019

• Daily animal control duties including patrols, dog bite investigations, and stray animal transport

• Daily collaboration with local law enforcement

• Administrative rescue operations including intake and outcome documentation, and follow-up with fosters and adopters

Interim Animal Shelter Manager - 2017 to 2018

• Designed, introduced, and managed highly successful short-term foster programs for dogs in the shelter

• Designed, wrote, and implemented shelter-wide cleaning procedures based on resources from UC Davis, ASPCA, and local hospitals

• Implemented updated cash handling and closing procedures for customer service staff

• Absorbed social media management, maintaining engagement and traffic on social media platforms

• Absorbed volunteer coordination, including design and implementation of volunteer management software

• Oversaw and implemented mailing tracking procedures, resulting in a quantifiable increase in dog licensing compliance and decrease in mailing costs

• Created updated adoption applications and trained staff in reducing barriers to adoption

Dog Care Coordinator - 2014 to 2017

• Coordinated and transported dogs transferred to our facility from outside organizations, (including a leadership role in a large-scale rescue from out of state)

• Disaster relief and response during the series of fires in Sonoma County in 2017, including emergency evacuation of all dogs in the building within 12 hours

• Designed, implemented, and led low-cost public training classes

• Follow-up training for adopters, including designing behavior modification programs for pet owners

• Diverted surrenders by offering training support and/or referring to other community resources

• Evaluated dogs to determine appropriate outcomes

• Coordinated and supervised dog adoptions and dog foster arrangements

Kennel Technician - 2013 to 2014

• Daily cleaning of dog kennels

• Safely handled and vaccinated animals with unknown backgrounds, including animal control cases