Meet the 2026 Conference
Speakers.
Scott Stratten, UnMarketing
Scott Stratten is the President of UnMarketing. He has Co-Authored 6 best-selling business books with his business partner and wife Alison and was formerly a music industry marketer, National Sales Training Manager, and a College Professor. He ran one of the most successful viral video agencies in the world for nearly a decade before solely focusing on speaking at events for companies like Walmart, Pepsi, Adobe, IBM, Microsoft, Cirque du Soleil and Saks Fifth Avenue when they need help navigating their way through the landscape of business disruption
Rachel Appel, PetSmart Charities
Rachel Appel is the Lead Adoption Grants Manager at PetSmart Charities of Canada, bringing over two decades of experience in animal welfare. Passionate about innovative approaches to increasing adoptions, Rachel combines her expertise in retail environments, program development, grantmaking, and community partnerships to support organizations across Canada in saving more lives. She is a strong advocate for enriching the shelter experience through off-site adoption and volunteer programs, community events, and strategic collaborations. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys spending time hiking and camping with her family, fostering all types of animals, and spending time with her horses. Her deep knowledge of animal welfare is matched by her love for helping others in the field grow their impact.
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Victoria Badham,
Toronto Wildlife Centre
Victoria Badham – Education and Outreach Manager, Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC) Victoria joined TWC's Wildlife Hotline team in 2011 after completing her undergraduate degree in Environmental Policy and Urban Studies at the University of Toronto. Responding to thousands of hotline calls - from wildlife emergencies to requests for general wildlife information – increased her awareness of the vast issues affecting urban wildlife, as well as commonly held misconceptions about some wild species, and the urgent need for broader public education. She now holds a Master of Education from the University of Toronto and manages TWC's hotline, education and outreach programs. She aims to inspire children, youth and adults alike to respect and connect with nature and the amazing wild species with whom we share our neighbourhoods.
Dillon Dodson,
Toronto Humane Society
Dillon Dodson is advancing a model of animal welfare that recognizes the deep and inseparable connection between human and animal wellbeing. With almost twenty years of experience as a clinical social worker, Dillon brings expertise in trauma- informed care, crisis response, and community-based support. As the Vice President of the International Association of Veterinary Social Work, co chair of the Canadian Violence Link and the first embedded social work in animal sheltering in Canada, her work has been instrumental in integrating veterinary social work into Toronto Humane Society's model, ensuring that access to care includes not only medical services, but the social supports that make care possible. She has led the development of programs such as Urgent Care and Community Wellness Pop-Ups, designed to reach underserved communities and remove barriers to access. Dillon's work reflects a core principle of systems change: supporting animals means supporting the people who care for them.
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Aaron Caldwell,
Dogs Playing For Life
Aaron Caldwell began his work with Austin Pets Alive! in February of 2011. After spending over a year with the organization as a Lead Adoption Counselor, Aaron was given the opportunity and privilege to join the behavior team as the Dog Behavior Program Assistant Manager. Under the tutelage and guidance of Mike Kaviani, a former leader at Dogs Playing for Life, Aaron worked as a playgroup facilitator, adoption/foster follow up coordinator/trainer, and spent time helping with the behaviour modification and rehabilitation of APA!'s shelter population. In the summer of 2016, Aaron took on the role of Dog Behavior Program Co-Manager, and spent his time collaborating as much as possible to keep Austin a lifesaving city. In December of 2020, Aaron transitioned into a role at AmPA! and utilized his knowledge to help shelters across the country to achieve greater lifesaving in their own communities. In 2021, Aaron joined the DPFL team as Director of Shelter Programming where he mentors shelters in quality of life and life-saving programs centered around playgroups!
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Cameron Moore, Maddie's® Shelter Strategy and Operations
Cameron oversees shelter engagement for Maddie's Million Pet Challenge and the University of Florida Shelter Medicine Program. She works directly with municipal and nonprofit animal welfare organizations to improve efficiency while increasing lifesaving, always with the goal of helping shelters work smarter, not harder. Since 2013, Cameron has completed more than 190 shelter consultations in 28 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her recommendations emphasize fiscal responsibility, public and animal safety, and a responsible reduction in intake while increasing live outcomes and achieving the shortest possible length of stay. Her work focuses on removing barriers and redundancies while applying the principles of the 4 Rights: the right care, at the right time, in the right place, with the right outcome.
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Julie Speyer, Canine Foundations
Julie Speyer is the Founder and Director of Canine Foundations, bringing over 25 years of experience in canine handling and rehabilitation. Specializing in extreme fear, aggression, and phobia-related behaviour issues, Julie takes a holistic approach to behaviour modification. She is a strong advocate for positive reinforcement techniques, utilizing scientifically backed methods to help dogs achieve lasting improvements. Julie is a Court-Recognized Expert Witness in Dog Assessment, Behaviour, and Training, known for her ability to integrate her extensive experience in behaviour science with practical, real-world applications. Drawing on her training as a Veterinarian Assistant and background as a former Animal Cruelty Investigator and Animal Control Officer, Julie works closely with animal shelters, municipal law enforcement, and animal service providers to develop comprehensive Safety Training and Animal Handling programs. Her work emphasizes the importance of safety, empathy, and effective communication when working with both animals and people. Julie is committed to fostering collaboration between animal welfare professionals, behaviour consultants, and law enforcement to ensure the well-being of both animals and the communities they serve. Julie shares her experience and passion for rehabilitating canines as the writer and instructor for Georgian College's Canine Behaviour Science programs, and continuing education credit courses for the; OAVT (Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians), IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants), and the CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers).
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Amanda Barrett,
Canine Foundations
Amanda Barrett is a highly accomplished Municipal Law Enforcement Officer with over 20 years of experience in animal welfare, law enforcement, and animal protection. Specializing in municipal by-laws, the Dog Owner's Liability Act (DOLA), and Animal Welfare laws within Ontario, Amanda is widely regarded as an expert in her field. Her career includes significant roles in enforcement, veterinary medicine, animal shelter operations, and animal care management, where she has demonstrated leadership and a deep commitment to ensuring public safety and animal welfare. With a post-secondary education in Veterinary Technology, Amanda brings a unique combination of technical knowledge and practical experience to her work. Her expertise in interpreting and enforcing complex legal frameworks has made her a trusted authority in animal protection law. She is skilled in navigating the nuances of animal welfare regulations and effectively addressing legal challenges in her community. As a seasoned trainer and subject matter expert, Amanda excels at delivering engaging and impactful training sessions. She is highly adept at translating complex legal concepts into clear, actionable information, ensuring law enforcement officers, animal care professionals, and organizations gain a comprehensive understanding of animal welfare laws and best practices. Amanda's dedication to education and her passion for animal welfare make her an invaluable asset to any organization focused on improving standards of safety and compliance.
Joan Weston, Fangs But No Fangs
A native New Yorker, Joan headed to Boston, receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree from Northeastern University, and then to Toronto to pursue graduate research in Motor Learning and Sport Psychology, the areas that would form the foundation for her career in training and behavior. She received her Masters Degree in Education from Central Michigan University in 2017, and was Certified by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants as a Canine Behavioural Consultant in May of 2018. She is also a Force-Free Certified Trainer She started Fangs But No Fangs Canine Behavioral Consulting Services (FBNF) as a way to combine her interest in dog training with her geeky psychology researcher side. FBNF provides in-home consulting and a wide range of other services, and has helped clients all over North America. Joan spent many years as a professor at Durham College, where she designed and taught the Animal Behavior course for the Animal Care Certificate Program. She is the author of The ITREAT Protocol: An Integrated Approach to the Assessment, Training, and Adoption of Shelter Dogs. This is a revolutionary tool for humane societies and animal shelters providing a unique all-in-one program to help increase adoption rates and improve animal welfare. A lifelong flatface dog owner and lover, she lives in Ancaster, ON with her wife Jamie, their bulldog Baby Billy Gemstone, and their pug Henry Puggins (shout-out to Beverly Cleary). You've seen her performing in the past with The Superdogs, Woofjocks, and Canine Stars with her bulldog PotRoast entertaining audiences from New York to Vancouver. When she wasn't performing with her bullies, she could be found on the ice. She was the first overall selection and starting goaltender for the USA women's hockey team at the Inaugural Women's World Hockey Championships in 1987. She was honored with the Bronze T from the University of Toronto, and more recently was inducted into the University of Toronto Sports Hall of Fame.
Victoria Hiorth, Ontario SPCA
Victoria Hiorth is the Regional Manager of Community Outreach Services with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. She oversees a team of Community Outreach Coordinators working across multiple Animal Centre locations, focused on building community partnerships, delivering outreach programs, and connecting people and pets with vital support services. Victoria is passionate about building programs that improve outcomes for both animals and the communities they live in.
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Danielle Johnson, Ontario SPCA
Danielle Johnson is the Provincial Operations Manager with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, overseeing shelter and clinic operations across the South Central Region of Ontario. With more than 13 years in animal welfare, Danielle is passionate about building strong, compassionate, and effective teams that support both people and animals. Her work focuses on creating efficient operations while advancing positive outcomes for the communities and animals served.
Andrea Matecki, Hamilton/Burlington SPCA
Andrea Matecki is a CPA, CA who balances spreadsheets with strategy, finding her sweet spot at the Now create your own Jotform PDF document - It's Free Create your own PDF Document 2 crossroads of business, technology, and purpose. With a business degree and a Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from Queen's University, Andrea has spent the past three years exploring how technology can empower not-for-profits and mission-driven organizations to amplify their impact. Equal parts accountant and adventurer, she brings a quirky enthusiasm to problem-solving—whether it's demystifying cybersecurity, teaching leaders how to write smarter AI prompts, or finding innovative ways to stretch limited resources. Andrea's passion for mission work and animal welfare drives her belief that innovation doesn't require big budgets, only bold leadership. When she's not leading workshops, you can probably find her on a farm with rescue horses, dreaming up her next big idea at the intersection of compassion and code.
April Huntsman, Adopt a Pet
April Huntsman, CAWA, has spent 25 years making a difference for animals at organizations such as Maricopa County Animal Care & Control, Salt Lake County Animal Services, and Michelson Found Animals. Now, at Adopt a Pet, she's a master at using technology and sharing insights to make adoptions smoother and help more pets find homes. She's deeply passionate about helping animals through smart, modern approaches.
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Melissa Shupak,
Toronto Humane Society
Melissa Shupak has built her career advancing compassionate, evidence-based animal sheltering, combining a background in social work with expertise in animal behaviour and training. Since joining Toronto Humane Society in 2015 as an Animal Care Worker, she has played a key role in developing programs that strengthen animal welfare outcomes and the human-animal bond. A Certified Shelter Dog Behaviour Consultant and Certified Animal Trainer, Melissa has helped expand the organization's behaviour and training programs, contributing both hands-on expertise and strategic leadership, including the development of resources supporting animals with complex behavioural and emotional needs. As Director of Animal Sheltering, Melissa leads with a focus on building sustainable, compassionate programs that respond to the needs of both animals and the community.
Alexandra Gordon, Ontario SPCA
Alexandra Gordon is a healthcare and animal welfare leader, currently serving as Provincial Operations Manager, Central North Region, with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. In this role, she leads multi- site operations and supports high-performing teams dedicated to improving the lives of animals and the people who care for them. With a strong foundation in healthcare management, Alexandra brings extensive experience from the long-term care and retirement living sector, where she held senior leadership positions focused on operational excellence, team development, and quality of care. Her career is rooted in fostering compassionate, people-centered environments and driving results through collaboration and accountability. Outside of work, Allie and her husband can be found cheering from the sidelines for her two sons' sports adventures or enjoying trail walks with their dog Chance.
Carol Tinga, University of Guelph
Carol Tinga is a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), University of Guelph. Her PhD, also at OVC, focused on owner-companion rabbit relationships, rabbit care, and welfare. Her research examined human-animal relationship scales for rabbit owners, risk factors for retention, and rabbit intake and management in Canadian and American shelters and rescues. She is currently publishing her thesis work and presenting findings at conferences, with additional papers in preparation on challenges of rabbit ownership, valued rabbit behaviours, and scale validation. Vespa (2011-2020), a remarkable lop-eared rabbit, inspired all her rabbit research. Presently, Carol shares her home with a bonded pair of free-range, up-eared rabbits, Ellie and Coco. These OVC "poster rabbits," affectionately known as "the hooligans," came to her via a foster family, who took them in after they had been abandoned outdoors.
Angela Armbrister, OPP
Ok so you might want to sit down for this. Angela attended nursing school in the 1900's! She started her nursing career at Penetanguishene Mental Health Centre, now known as Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, after graduating with a nursing diploma from Georgian College in 1988. She returned to school in 2008 and obtained her BScN from Ryerson University in 2010. She also became certified in mental health/psychiatric nursing with the Canadian nurses association that year. She continued to work at Waypoint in various front line nursing roles, including forensics, finishing the last 25 years as a shift nurse manager, responsible for the 350 bed hospital, after hours until her semi-retirement in 2022 after 35 years of service. Her retirement career began when she was hired by Headwaters Health and Dufferin OPP in 2022 as an MCRT nurse for a one year pilot project to provide mobile crisis response embedded in the OPP. That was almost 4 years ago, and has been such a success for the community, it was made permanent.
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Jasmine Herzog-Evans
Jasmine is currently the Manager of Toronto Animal Services Enforcement and Mobile Response Unit (EMRU) with Toronto Animal Services (TAS).
She was a veterinary technician after graduating from the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus before moving to Toronto Animal Services Enforcement and Mobile Response Unit where she was a field Animal Control Officer for several years. During her time as a technician she worked in small animal practice including a high volume spay/ neuter clinic, at a veterinary emergency hospital and also several years working with animals in research. Prior to becoming the Manager of TAS- EMRU, she worked at the Ministry of the Solicitor General- Animal Welfare Services as a Senior Investigator and also spent several years as a Property Standards Bylaw Enforcement Officer at the City of Toronto.
Her key role is to oversee the operations of the various teams of Animal Control Officers who are on the front line in the field . This includes being innovative and thinking outside the box at times. As a public sector, she is often tasked with doing more with less and that takes creativity at times. She is always striving for her team’s excellence while being strategic to improve efficiency. This means better protection for the animals and improved access to care and other services. It improves public safety for everyone and strengthens the animal human bond where appropriate for our domestic pets and improves coexistence tolerance for urban wildlife.
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Tonya Canning
Tonya is currently a Supervisor of Enforcement with Toronto Animal Services. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Guelph and is a Registered Veterinary Technician after graduating from Seneca College's Veterinary Technician Program. Tonya began her career at a Humane Society as a Kennel Attendant before advancing to the role of Lead Veterinary Technician. She then transitioned to small animal practice, where she worked in several veterinary clinics before becoming the Manager of a busy Toronto veterinary clinic. She later joined Toronto Animal Services as an Animal Control Officer with the Enforcement and Mobile Response Unit, where she gained extensive experience in animal rescue, investigations under the Dog Owners' Liability Act, and municipal animal by-law enforcement. Her leadership and expertise led to her appointment as Supervisor of the Enforcement Unit. Drawing on her diverse background in veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and municipal enforcement, Tonya provides leadership to Toronto Animal Services' enforcement team, oversees enforcement operations, and collaborates with community partners to promote responsible animal ownership through education, progressive enforcement, and innovative animal services, while mentoring staff and promoting positive outcomes for both people and animals.
Lisa Caranci
Bio Coming Soon!
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