Day 1 - Thursday, October 29, 2020

 Welcome and Announcements: 9:30 am - 10:00 am

Conference 10:00 am - 7:15 pm

Virtual Exhibit Hall Open: October 15 - 31, 2020

 

9:30 - 10:00   Welcome and Announcements

 

10:00 - 10:55

Track 1: Everyone

Lessons Learned from COVID-19: Updates to Disaster Planning, Policy & Implementation

Presenter:      Venessa Sims, Georgia Department of Ag and Tracy Reis, Atlanta Humane Society   

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Track 2: Legal

Working With Reactive Dogs

Presenter:     Claudine Wilkins, Animal Law Expert, Founder of Animal Law Source, The Animal 

      Protection Society and the new APAW (Animal Protection and Wellness) Academy 

    

  

11:05 - 12:00   

KEYNOTE SPEAKER JANE VALEZ-MITCHELL:  

Jane Velez-Mitchell is a television and social media journalist and author. She is the founder of #JaneUnChained, a digital news network for animal rights and the vegan lifestyle which uses more than 60 volunteer contributors from around the world to showcase vegan festivals, animal rights conferences, organizations, vegan restaurants and cooking.    

 

12:00 - 12:30 LUNCH BREAK - Announcements and Raffle

 

12:30 - 1:25   

Track 1: Everyone

Spay/Neuter - Still Saving Lives  

Presenter:  Dr. Jeff Young, DVM, Owner of Planned Pethood Plus and Star of Animal Planet's Rocky Mountain Vet

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Track 2: Legal

Animal Fighting

Presenter:  Doug Bridges, United States Department of Agriculture

 

1:35 - 2:15   

Track 1: Everyone

New Rules Affecting Government Animal Shelters and Much More  

Presenter:  Mark Murrah and Jason Smith, Department of Ag: Animal Protection and Equine Division 

 

Track 2: Legal

“Making Your Case” (Crime Scene - Including Multi-Animal Impound, Documentation)

Presenter:  Amy Soeldner, retired Atlanta Police Department

 

2:40 - 3:35  

Track 1: Everyone

No-Kill: The Controversy Continues  

Presenter:  Dr. Jeff Young, DVM, Owner of Planned Pethood Plus and Star of Animal Planet's Rocky Mountain Vet

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Track 2: Legal

Georgia’s Animal Cruelty Statute:  In-Depth Examination & Case Examples

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

 

 

3:45 - 4:40    

Track 1: Everyone

Zoonotic Disease:  How to Protect Yourself and Animals/Highlights on the Emerging Chaga's Disease Dubbed the "Heartworm of the New Millenium"/Vaccines in the Anti-Vaccine World:  Normal Responses vs. Bad Reactions; One Year vs. Three Year Rabies  

Presenter:  Dr. Jay Tischendorf, DVM, Specialist in zoonotic diseases

 

Track 2: Legal

Dog Bite Investigations and Case Scenarios

Presenter:  Jim Crosby, Dog Bite Expert 

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4:50 - 5:45   

Track 1: Everyone

Disinfection:  Don't Let Your Disinfection Miss Infection  

Presenter:  Dr. Jay Tischendorf, DVM, Specialist in zoonotic diseases, 

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Track 2: Legal

Dangerous Dog Cases – Law, Charging, Prosecution & Practical Aspects 

Presenter:  Claudine Wilkins, Animal Law Expert, Founder of Animal Law Source, The Animal Protection Society and the new APAW (Animal Protection and Wellness) Academy  

 

 

6:00- 6:55     

Track 1: Everyone

How To Become A Wildlife Rehabber 

Presenter:  TBA, Department of Natural Resources

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Track 2: Legal

The Link Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence 

Presenter:   Phil Arkow, National Link Coalition - the National Resource Center on "The Link Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence.

 

7:00 - 7:15  CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RAFFLE    

 

Adjourn – THANK YOU and see you tomorrow morning!

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Day 2 - Friday, October 30, 2020

 Welcome and Announcements: 9:30 am - 10:00 am

Conference 10:00 am - 7:15 pm

Virtual Exhibit Hall Open: October 15 - 31, 2020

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9:30 - 10:00   

Welcome and Announcements

 

10:00 - 10:55

Track 1: Everyone

Emergency Protocols and Disaster  

Presenter:      Patricia Montgomery, PAWS Humane, Columbus, GA   

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Track 2: Legal

Topic TBA

Presenter:     Victoria Stilwell, VSPDT, APDT, Celebrity Dog Trainer and Behavior Expert, Trainer and reator of It’s Me or the

                        Dog (Animal Planet), Bestselling Author and Founder of Victoria Stilwell Positively, Inc. and the Victoria Stilwell                         Academy of Dog Training and Behavior 

 

  

11:05 - 12:00  KEYNOTE SPEAKER 

DR. JAY TICHENDORF, DVM - When the COVID-19 Coast Clears, Impacts on the Human Animal Bond, Veterinarians, and the Animals…and Moving Toward the "One Health Movement"  

Dr. Tischendorf holds a BS degreein Zoology from Ohio University and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (DVM) degree from Colorado State University.  Dr. Tichendorf specializes emerging and zoonotic disease, anesthesiology, dermatology, and animal cruelty forensics and investigations.  

 

 

12:00 - 12:30 LUNCH BREAK - Announcements and Raffle

 

12:30 - 1:25   

Track 1: Everyone

Barn Fire Presentation 

Presenter:  Paula Sewell, GDA

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Track 2: Legal

Community Interventions to Reduce Neglect and Abuse

Presenter:      Lisa Milot, Associate Professor, UGA School of  Law and 

                         Shana Knight, Director of Madison -Olgethorpe Animal Shelter

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1:35 - 2:15   

Track 1: Everyone

Starting a Sanctuary - Rules, Regs and Things You Need To Know 

Presenter:  Carol Buckley, Founder, Elephant Aid International

 

Track 2: Legal

Cross-Reporting and Animal Cruelty

Presenter:  TBD, Animal Legal Defense Foundation

 

2:40 - 3:35  

Track 1: Everyone

Dealing with COVID-19 at Shelters  

Presenter:  TBD

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Track 2: Legal

Animal Control Officer Fundamentals

Presenter:  TBD

 

3:45 - 4:40    

Track 1: Everyone

Sustainability and Ecosystems Involving Humans and Animals  

Presenter:  Dr. Raj Pandya ​

 

Track 2: Everyone

Snakes & Reptiles:  What professionals need to know about catching, caring, recognizing neglect, recording & reporting neglect, info & myths on types of snake bites & how bites affect dogs, cats and horses.

Presenter:  Jason Clark, Snake Expert, Founder of Southeastern Reptile Resuce​   

 

4:50 - 5:45   

Track 1: Everyone
Building a Sanctuary - The power of Social Media.

Presenter:      TBD

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Track 2: Legal

What Professionals Should Know When Service Animals Are Involved In A Complaint 

Presenter:      William Goren, Attorney and Service Animal Law Expert  

 

 

6:00- 6:55     

Track 1: Everyone

Topic TBA

Presenter:  Alex Sessa, Trainer

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Track 2: Legal

Hoarding Animals - Disrupting the Cycle

Presenter:  Jamie Contreras, Senior Staff Attorney - Animal Legal Defense Fund

 

7:00 - 7:15  CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RAFFLE    

 

Adjourn – THANK YOU and we hope to see you at our next event!!

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WAIT THAT'S NOT ALL... WE HAVE SUCH AMAZING SPEAKERS, WE'VE GOT MORE.

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BONUS CLASSES!

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BONUS 1: Everyone

Successful Prison Dog Programs

Presenter:  Susan Jacob-Meadows, Founder and Executive Director of Canine CellMates

                     and a special guest success story

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BONUS 2: Legal

Multi-Animal Impounding

Presenter:  Michelle Welch, Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Virginia Attorney General's Office, VA

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BONUS 3: Everyone

Wildlife Animal Cruelty

Presenter:  Animal Legal Defense Fund

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BONUS 4: Everyone

Legislative Update

Presenter:  Cheryl McAuliff, Georgia Pet Coalition

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BONUS 5: Everyone

Mercy Kennels: The Documentary

Presenter:  Tracy Bishop, Hood Puppy Productions 

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BONUS 6: Everyone

Puppyumills - An update on the Petland Case

Presenter:  TBA