6:30 AM - 3:30 PM EST       Registration

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7:30 AM - 9:10 AM EST - TEASLEY BALLROOM/SALON 1

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Joint Session with GVMA - Fire & Ice: Emergency Management Panel Discussion

The recent fires and other disasters were devastating to Georgia communities.  They came up fast and furious with little time to plan and execute. Hear from those who were "boots on the ground" on what they learned, what new protocols have been created and how they will proceed in the future.  This includes important information for every aspect of a disaster or emergency.

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The Legislative Update will be presented in the last 20 minutes of this time slot.

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Presenters:

Venessa Sims, MEP, GA-CEM, Director of Outreach Law Enforcement and Emergency Management, Georgia Department of Agriculture

Claudine Wilkins, Attorney, Animal Law Expert, Founder of The Animal Protection Society, Animal Law Source and APAW Expo

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9:10 AM - 9:30 AM EST      Break - Networking  (Skelton Pre-function Area)  

 

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM EST

Track 1 ENFORCEMENT - SALON 6: Unusual Cases in Animal Crimes

Description to come

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Presenter: Cyndi Hoffman, Animal Warden at City of Newnan Police Dept. 

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Track 2 - SALON 5: SHELTERS/RESCUES - Paws, Policies and People: Animal Control's Evolving Role with Community Cats

As communities continue to rethink how they manage free-roaming and community cats, animal control agencies are finding themselves at the center of a rapidly evolving landscape. This presentation explores the shift from traditional enforcement-based approaches to strategies that emphasize public education, community engagement, and evidence-based population management.

 

Attendees will learn how animal control professionals can navigate changing ordinances, support community cat programs, and strengthen partnerships with shelters, advocates, and residents. Through real-world examples and practical case studies, we will examine the challenges and opportunities that arise when balancing animal welfare, public concerns, and municipal responsibilities. Participants will leave with actionable insights for developing policies and field practices that improve outcomes for cats, communities, and animal control agencies alike.

Presenter: Angela Miedema, Director of Volusia County Animal Services

 

Track 3 - SALON 4: GENERAL - CANINE CONFRONTATIONS

How to use de-escalation tactics when confronting canines on routine calls.  Using video and the best known and current tactics to resolve scary, vicious, and aggravated canine situations. Case review breakdown of previous mistakes made when arriving at incident scene. Emergency, environment, equipment assessment review of training and tactics.

Presenter: Dustin Dutton, Nationally Certified Animal Control Officer, Shelter Manager - Humane Law

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10:35 AM - 11:35AM EST

 

Track 1 ENFORCEMENT - SALON 6: What the Prosecutor Wishes You Had 

A one-hour essentials course from a prosecuting attorney with over three decades experience, addressing such topics as:

a.  Essentials the prosecutor must have in your report

b.  Documenting digitally 

c.  How to use your BWC to enhance, not replace, your written report

d.  Gathering and preserving digital evidence

​Presenter: Kimberly Schwartz, Senior Assistant District Attorney, Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit 

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Track 2 - SALON 5: SHELTERS/RESCUES - Lost Pet Reunification: Leveraging Technology and Partnerships to Keep Families Together

Reuniting pets with owners strengthens public confidence in animal control. This session explores tools, technology, and partnerships that support faster reunification. Attendees will learn best practices that reduce shelter intake and length of stay. The presentation emphasizes collaboration and innovation.

Presenter:  Spencer Conover, Chief Operating Officer for the National Animal Care and Control Association.

 

Track 3 - SALON 4: GENERAL - Driving the Struggle Bus

This class will cover some of the unique issues and problems that small town/county agencies and one man/woman operations face. It will also touch on some compassion fatigue and burnout. You may not have any co-workers that you interact with on a daily basis, but this class will help you see that you aren't alone and give tips and tricks that are geared towards smaller agencies but are useful for any size operation. Small town or county agencies, as well as one-person operations (often referred to as solo entrepreneurs or "solopreneurs"), face a unique set of challenges due to limited resources, a smaller client or customer base, and a lack of specialized support. Here are some of the common problems they encounter

Presenter: Dustin Dutton, Nationally Certified Animal Control Officer, Shelter Manager - Humane Law

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11:35 AM - 12:55 PM EST   LUNCH - ON YOUR OWN - AT OVER 25 VENUES AT AVALON 

             EXHIBIT HALL IS OPEN 

 

1:00PM - 2:00PM EST   

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Track 1 - ENFORCEMENT - SALON 6: Sharpening Situational Awareness: Maintaining Alertness and Preparedness in the Field

Situational awareness is essential for field safety. This session helps officers recognize environmental and behavioral
cues that signal potential risk. Attendees will learn strategies for maintaining alertness during routine and high-risk calls alike. The presentation emphasizes proactive awareness as a cornerstone of officer safety.

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Presenter: Spencer Conover, Chief Operating Officer for the National Animal Care and Control Association.

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Track 2 - SHELTERS/RESCUES SALON 5: Digital Advocacy Education: How to turn your social media into a tool for community education and building a positive reputation.

Every day, animal care professionals see the same posts on Nextdoor and Facebook. Someone found a stray dog and doesn’t know what to do. A cat had kittens under a porch and the whole neighborhood is panicking. A pet owner can’t afford an unexpected vet bill and sees surrender as the only option. Too often, these posts spiral into misinformation and crisis before anyone with real knowledge gets a word in.

But what if the community already knew what to do?

The goal of Digital Advocacy Education isn’t just to give your staff better things to say online. It’s to build a more informed public: neighbors who can talk each other through a found dog situation, pet owners who know where to find low-cost vet care before they consider giving up an animal, and community members who know that a litter of kittens under a porch doesn’t have to end in a shelter visit.

When communities have access to clear, trustworthy information, fewer animals enter the system in the first place.

This session is for anyone working in animal care, including shelter staff, animal control officers, municipal employees, veterinarians, rescue volunteers, and enforcement personnel, who wants to turn social media into a tool for community education and reputation building. We’ll walk through practical, low-cost strategies your team can put to use right away:

• Creating simple, shareable guides for common community situations involving dogs and cats
• Developing ready-to-use response templates for staff and volunteers
• Building resource lists (low-cost vet care, behavioral support, etc.) that answer questions before they become crises
• Training your team to respond online with confidence and consistency

 

Presenter: Nicky Healy, Executive Director, Good Mews

 

 

Track 3 - GENERAL - SALON 4: Everything You Need To Know About Dog Attack Cases and Local Ordinances

Claudine has recently been involved with helping to write several new laws and ordinances. She will discuss how to stay up today as state laws and county ordinances are put in place.  She will also discuss Dangerous Dog investigations and prosecutions.  

 

Presenter: Claudine Wilkins, Attorney, Animal Law Expert, Founder of The Animal Protection Society, Animal Law Source and APAW Expo
                   Robin Moreland, Former Animal Control Manager, Douglas County

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2:10PM - 3:10PM EST     

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Track 1 - ENFORCEMENT -SALON 6: Handling with Care: Safe and Humane Techniques for Law Enforcement and Animal Control Officers

This session provides comprehensive training on safe, humane animal handling techniques. Topics include restraint methods, transport considerations, and appropriate equipment use. Attendees will learn how to minimize stress and injury in the field. The presentation emphasizes professionalism, safety, and humane standards. This is a perfect session for a new animal control officer or even a seasoned veteran looking for some new tips and tricks.

Presenter: Angela Miedema, Director of Volusia County Animal Services

 

Track 2 - SHELTERS/RESCUES - SALON 5: What Licensed Animal Shelters & Rescues Need to Know & Updates

   

Presenter: Nissa Bame, Deputy Program Manager, Companion Animal & Equine Division, GA Dept. of Ag

                  Claudine Wilkins, Attorney, Animal Law Expert, Founder of The Animal Protection Society, Animal Law Source and APAW Expo

                  Mike Bautsch, Certified Avian Specialist, Founder/CEO, Georgia Aviary, Inc.

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Track 3 - GENERAL - SALON 4: Pet Safety, Emergency Treatment for Service Animals and Pets, Pet CPR

Pet First-Aid is the first thing you do when an animal becomes sick or injured to prevent the patient from getting worse and hopefully make that pet more comfortable until you reach veterinary care. In this session, Denise Fleck, The Pet Safety Crusader, will teach you how to check vitals (respiration, pulse, temperature & capillary refill time), handle heatstroke, control bleeding, and perform Cardio- Pulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation to assist a dog or cat in your care.

Presenter: Denise Fleck, The Pet Crusader, Sunny Dog Ink

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3:10PM - 3:25PM EST      Break - Networking  (Skelton Prefunction Area)  

 

3:25PM - 4:30PM EST   

 

Track 1 - ENFORCEMENT - SALON 4: More Than the Dog Catcher: The Evolving Role of Animal Control Officers in Georgia

This presentation highlights Animal Control Officers (ACOs) as essential public safety professionals, educators, and community resources—moving beyond outdated stereotypes. It covers:

• ACO authority and limitations 

• Their role connecting public safety, public health, and animal welfare

• The value of an education-first, enforcement-second approach

• Strategies for working with limited resources

• Key statewide partnerships and support systems

The takeaway is to empower staff to strengthen community trust, improve consistency, and enhance collaboration across Georgia.

Presenter:  Haley Brown, State Director, Operation Humane

    

         

Track 3 - SHELTERS/RESCUES/VETERINARIANS SALON 6: Shelter & Vet Zone Approach

Victoria Stilwell’s "Zones Approach" encompasses specialized, force-free frameworks for handling dog reactivity and stress in animal shelters and veterinary settings. It emphasizes expanding the dog’s comfort zone, prioritizing choice, and utilizing foundational reward-based techniques to reduce panic and escalation.

The Shelter Zones Approach

Designed specifically for animal welfare workers, this framework helps shelters reduce team burnout, prevent escalations, and decrease shelter stress for dogs.

• Holistic Management: Focuses on shifting how staff and volunteers understand canine body language and decision-making.

• Safe Spaces: Implements zone-based environments to prevent overstimulation and allow dogs to show their best, most adoptable personalities.

The Vet Space Approach

Applying force-free principles to veterinary clinics helps dogs overcome white-coat syndrome and trauma.

• Consent and Comfort: Encourages cooperative care where dogs have choices, rather than forcing them into stressful physical restraints.

• Low-Stress Handling: Utilizes high-value rewards, creates calm waiting zones, and advocates for training dogs to accept handling as a positive experience. 

Presenter:   Victoria Stilwell, Renowned Professional Dog Trainer