SPEAKERS
The APAW Expo prides itself on partnering with amazing speakers and educators to provide the latest animal related topics, legislation and trends.
Speakers will share their insights and years of experience to provide the ongoing education necessary to encourage and inspire all professionals and advocates.
2026 APAW Expo Speakers
(listed in order of appearance)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026
7:30am - 9:10am
Joint Session with GVMA - Vets and Emergency Management:
Fire & Ice: Emergency Management Panel Discussion hosted by Venessa Sims
The Legislative Update will be delivered in the last 20 minutes of this time slot.
SALON 1
GDA, MEP, GA-CEM, Director of Outreach Law Enforcement and Emergency Management, Georgia Department of Agriculture
Time: Friday, October 23, 7:30am-9:10am
Topic: Fire & Ice: Emergency Management Panel Discussion
Venessa supports emergency management and homeland security duties for the food and agriculture sector in Georgia. She served as Unified Commander for the 2020 Final Four and Super Bowl LIII Food Defense Branch and as a representative of the Super Bowl LIII Logistics Committee. Venessa serves on the FDA FSMA Intentional Adulteration Workgroup as a state representative, serves as the Georgia representative for the Southern Animal and Agriculture Disaster Response Alliance (SAADRA), and served as the past Board President for the National Alliance of State Animal and Agriculture Emergency Programs (NASAAEP).
VENESSA SIMS
Time: Friday, October 23, 7:30am-9:10am
Topic: Fire & Ice: Emergency Management Panel Discussion
Bio to come when panel speaker announced
Panel Speaker TBA
Time: Friday, October 23, 7:30am-9:10am
Topic: Fire & Ice: Emergency Management Panel Discussion
Bio to come when panel speaker announced
Panel Speaker TBA
Time: Friday, October 23, 7:30am-9:10am
Topic: Fire & Ice: Emergency Management Panel Discussion
Bio to come when panel speaker announced
Panel Speaker TBA
9:10am - 9:30am
Break - Networking (Skelton Prefunction Area)
9:30am - 10:30am
Track 1 - Enforcement:
Unusual Cases in Animal Crimes
Director of Volusia County Animal Services
Time: Friday, October 23, 9:30am - 10:30am
Topic: Unusual Cases in Animal Crimes
Bio to come
CYNDI HOFFMAN
9:30am - 10:30am
Track 2 - SHELTER/RESCUE
Paws, Policies and People: Animal Control's Evolving Role with Community Cats
Director of Volusia County Animal Services
Time: Friday, October 23, 9:30am - 10:30am
Topic: Paws, Policies and People: Animal Control's Evolving Role with Community Cats
Angela Miedema brings over 15 years of expertise in animal welfare, enforcement, and leadership, with a diverse background that spans roles such as an animal behaviorist and mounted police deputy.
As the Director of Volusia County Animal Services, Angela has been instrumental in improving animal control operations, reducing pet overpopulation, and fostering community engagement. Her leadership has driven the expansion of services to include mobile clinic operations for underserved areas, advanced animal behavior training for officers, and strategic guidance for both rural and urban communities.
ANGELA MIEDEMA
9:30am - 10:30am
Track 3 - GENERAL
Canine Confrontations
Nationally Certified Animal Control Officer, Shelter Manager - Humane Law
Time: Friday, October 23, 9:30am-10:30am
Topic: CANINE CONFRONTATIONS
​
Dustin Levii Dutton is a nationally certified Animal Control Officer, Shelter Manager, instructor, and public servant with more than fifteen years of experience in animal welfare, humane law enforcement, shelter operations, and professional education.
​
Dustin began his public safety career in 2009 as a Corrections Officer with the Cherokee County Detention Facility in Centre, Alabama. In 2011, he transitioned into animal welfare, accepting a position as an Animal Control Officer with Cherokee County Animal Control. Early in his career, he recognized the need for professional development within the animal control profession and became committed to pursuing advanced training and education in animal welfare, investigations, officer safety, and shelter management.
DUSTIN DUTTON
10:35am - 11:35am
Track 1 - ENFORCEMENT:
Topic to be Announced
KIMBERLY SCHWARTZ
Senior Assistant District Attorney, Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit
Time: Friday, October 23, 10:35am - 11:35am
Topic: What the Prosecutor Wishes You Had
From 2013 – 2016, Ms. Schwartz served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Griffin Judicial Circuit, and in early 2017, was appointed as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, where she currently serves as a member of the Drug Prosecutions Division. In addition to her work in drug prosecutions, Ms. Schwartz also specializes in the prosecution of animal cruelty cases. She was one of a core group of Georgia lawyers whose efforts contributed to both the passage of the Animal Protection Act of 2000, which provided for felony punishment for certain acts of animal cruelty, and HB 863, which revised Georgia’s Cruelty to Animal’s Statute in 2014. In 2011, she received a Prosecutor Recognition Award from the Humane Society of the United States for her work on the trial of a defendant who was convicted of violently beating a dog to death with a garden hoe, in addition to other crimes.
10:35am - 11:35am
Track 1 - SHELTERS/RESCUES:
Lost Pet Reunification: Leveraging Technology and Partnerships to Keep Families Together
SPENCER CONOVER
Chief Operating Officer for the National Animal Care and Control Association.
Time: Friday, October 23, 10:35am - 11:35am
Topic: Lost Pet Reunification: Leveraging Technology and Partnerships to Keep Families Together
Spencer Conover has dedicated his life to innovative, servant leadership at some of the top animal welfare organizations across the country including, the Denver Dumb Friends League, Best Friends Animal Society, the Humane Society of Utah and Pasco County Animal Services. Spencer is passionate about leadership development and being surrounded with other progressive and proactive lifesaving individuals.
Spencer has a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in Contemporary Animal Services Leadership and Leadership Studies. He is a Certified Public Manager and certified green belt in lean six sigma process improvement. Spencer is a certified animal control officer, CPR and humane euthanasia certified with training in dangerous/fractious animal handling and Florida SARC certified in emergency animal sheltering. Spencer currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Animal Care and Control Association. He has a passion for shelter operation, statistics, data driven decision making and life-saving innovative community-based programs.
10:35am - 11:35am
Track 3 - GENERAL
Driving the Struggle Bus
Nationally Certified Animal Control Officer, Shelter Manager - Humane Law
Time: Friday, October 23, 10:35am - 11:35am
Topic: Driving the Struggle Bus
​
Dustin Levii Dutton is a nationally certified Animal Control Officer, Shelter Manager, instructor, and public servant with more than fifteen years of experience in animal welfare, humane law enforcement, shelter operations, and professional education.
​
Dustin began his public safety career in 2009 as a Corrections Officer with the Cherokee County Detention Facility in Centre, Alabama. In 2011, he transitioned into animal welfare, accepting a position as an Animal Control Officer with Cherokee County Animal Control. Early in his career, he recognized the need for professional development within the animal control profession and became committed to pursuing advanced training and education in animal welfare, investigations, officer safety, and shelter management.
DUSTIN DUTTON
11:35am - 12:55pm
LUNCH - ON YOUR OWN - AT OVER 25 VENUES AT AVALON
EXHIBIT HALL IS OPEN
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Track 1 - ENFORCEMENT
Sharpening Situational Awareness: Maintaining alertness and preparedness in the field
SPENCER CONOVER
Chief Operating Officer for the National Animal Care and Control Association.
Time: Friday, October 23, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Topic: Sharpening Situational Awareness: Maintaining alertness and preparedness in the field
Spencer Conover has dedicated his life to innovative, servant leadership at some of the top animal welfare organizations across the country including, the Denver Dumb Friends League, Best Friends Animal Society, the Humane Society of Utah and Pasco County Animal Services. Spencer is passionate about leadership development and being surrounded with other progressive and proactive lifesaving individuals.
Spencer has a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in Contemporary Animal Services Leadership and Leadership Studies. He is a Certified Public Manager and certified green belt in lean six sigma process improvement. Spencer is a certified animal control officer, CPR and humane euthanasia certified with training in dangerous/fractious animal handling and Florida SARC certified in emergency animal sheltering. Spencer currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Animal Care and Control Association. He has a passion for shelter operation, statistics, data driven decision making and life-saving innovative community-based programs.
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Track 2 - SHELTERS/RESCUES
Course Name to Come
Nationally Certified Animal Control Officer, Shelter Manager - Humane Law
Time: Friday, October 23, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Topic: Topic to be Announced
​
Bio to come
PRESENTER TO BE ANNOUNCED
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Track 3 - GENERAL
Pet safety, Emergency Treatment for Service Animals or Pets, CPR
DENISE FLECK
The Pet Crusader, Sunny Dog Ink
Time: Friday, October 23, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Topic: Pet Safety, Emergency Treatment for Service Animals and Pets, Pet CPR
Pet Safety Crusader™ Denise Fleck was raised by a Great Dane and has spent her life loving animals. As dog mom to 'lucky 13' dogs and cat mom to once, she has written hundreds of articles and authored more than a dozen books, include The Dog Writers' Association's "Best Children's Book" for her Don't Judge a Book by its Cover which teaches children 0 - 99 to never judge an animal by its breed, age fur color or anything, a lesson that obviously translates to other aspects of our lives. Fleck is also the proud recipient of four Maxwell Medallions from the Dog Writers’ Association and two Muse Awards from the Cat Writers Association.
A former studio publicist, Fleck followed her heart by ‘going to the dogs, cats, rabbits and other species,’ andafter extensive training and practice, developed her own Pet First-Aid & CPR curriculum as well as a five-month long animal-care course for high school students. She has personally instructed more than 31,000 pet parents, professional pet sitters, obedience trainers, groomers and doggie day care providers, and has reached millions more through her television appearances, including CBS –TV’s The Doctors, Animal Planet and CNN. Denise also has the honor of teaching in the homes of Oprah Winfrey, Kirstie Alley, several Playboy Playmates and other celebrities and also teaches online and via LIVE Teleconference across the globe. Currently, she spends her time teaching the next generation of Pet First Aid Instructors.
Fleck has served as the President of The Grey Muzzle Organization since 2017. Grey Muzzle is a 501 c3 that provides grant funding to shelters and rescues worldwide for senior dog programs and to-date, has awarded close to $5 million since founded in 2008. Fleck also serves on the board of the Emma Zen Foundation, providing pet oxygen masks to First Responders, has twice been a finalist as Pet Industry’s Woman of the Year, is the Past President of the Volunteers of the Burbank Animal Shelter and the recipient of the Burbank Police Department’s Volunteer of the Year Award for drafting the city’s animal emergency plan. She now resides in Villa Rica, Georgia with her husband, Paul, and their senior rescued Akita, Wishy. Learn more at www.PetSafetyCrusader.com
2:10pm - 3:10pm
Track 3 - ENFORCEMENT
Handling with Care: Safe and Humane Techniques for Law Enforcement & Animal Control Officers
Director of Volusia County Animal Services
Time: Friday, October 23, 2:10pm - 3:10pm
Topic: Handling with Care: Safe and Humane Techniques for Law Enforcement and Animal Control Officers
Angela Miedema brings over 15 years of expertise in animal welfare, enforcement, and leadership, with a diverse background that spans roles such as an animal behaviorist and mounted police deputy.
As the Director of Volusia County Animal Services, Angela has been instrumental in improving animal control operations, reducing pet overpopulation, and fostering community engagement. Her leadership has driven the expansion of services to include mobile clinic operations for underserved areas, advanced animal behavior training for officers, and strategic guidance for both rural and urban communities.
ANGELA MIEDEMA
Deputy Program Manager, Companion Animal & Equine Division, GA Dept. of Ag
Time: Friday, October 23, 2:10pm - 3:10pm
Topic: What Licensed Animal Shelters & Rescues Need to Know & Updates
Nissa began her employment with The Georgia Department of Agriculture in May 2017, at 20 years of age, as an entry level Inspector for the Companion Animal/Equine Program. In her 8 years with The Department Nissa has received numerous trainings including completing ICS courses, Large Animal Emergency Response, Animals in Disaster, and Radiological Decontamination for Companion Animals. Nissa was promoted to Senior Inspector in 2021 and in 2023 was promoted to Deputy Program, Companion Animal & Equine Division.
In addition to her routine responsibilities, Nissa participates in trainings for law enforcement and animal control agencies, local government officials, shelter staffs, and occasionally the general public (as approved). Nissa had also served as a member of the GDA SART response team and been involved in several high-profile investigations.
NISSA BAME
2:10pm - 3:10pm
Track 2 - SHELTERS/RESCUES
What Licensed Animal Shelters & Rescues Need to Know & Updates
2:10pm - 3:10pm
Track 3 - GENERAL
TBA
​
Time: Friday, October 23, 10:35am - 11:35am
Topic: TBA
BIO TO COME
PRESENTER TBA
3:10pm - 3:25pm
Break - Networking (Skelton Prefunction Area)
3:25pm - 4:30pm
Track 1 - ENFORCEMENT
More Than the Dog Catcher: The Evolving Role of Animal Control Officers in Georgia
HALEY BROWN
State Director, Operation Humane
Time: Friday, October 23, 3:25pm-4:30pm
Topic: More Than the Dog Catcher: The Evolving Role of Animal Control Officers
in Georgia
"Haley Brown is an experienced professional in investigations, legal compliance, and animal welfare and safety, with more than a decade of experience in animal enforcement and welfare. Throughout her career, she has served in animal welfare and enforcement roles under law enforcement agencies and municipalities at county, state, and federal organizations.
She currently serves as the State Director for Operation Humane, where she leads statewide efforts to strengthen animal welfare practices and expand resources for communities. In this role, Haley works alongside her team to develop more robust welfare programs, improve response capabilities, and advance sustainable solutions for animal welfare professionals. She also serves as a Board Member of the Georgia Animal Control Association.
In addition, Haley has worked alongside the USDA, investigating Horse Protection Act (HPA) violations through numerous deployments across the country. She holds multiple certifications in emergency response, investigations, and animal protection and welfare.
In addition, Haley is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) through the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, a prestigious leadership designation held by only a few hundred individuals worldwide. The credential reflects her expertise and commitment to advancing animal welfare standards and contributing to broader animal welfare conversations at both the local and national levels."
3:25pm - 4:30pm
TRACK 2&3
Shelter & Veterinarian Zone Approach
VICTORIA STILWELL
Founder Positively, World-renowned Dog Trainer and Behavior Expert
Time: Friday, October 23, 3:25pm -4:30pm
Topic: Shelter & Veterinarian Zone Approach
Victoria Stilwell is a world-renowned dog trainer and behavior expert best known as the star of the international hit TV series It's Me or the Dog (Animal Planet US) as well as Greatest American Dog on CBS, Dogs Might Fly on Sky One, Dogs with Extraordinary Jobs on Love Nature (coming in 2020 on Smithsonian Channel US), and her hit web series about the real world of police K-9’s and their handlers, Guardians of the Night.
A passionate advocate for positive dog training methods, Stilwell is the Editor-in-Chief of Positively.com, the founder of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior, and the CEO of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training – the world’s premier network of positive dog trainers. A best-selling author, Stilwell’s fifth book, The Ultimate Guide to Raising a Puppy will be released on October 1st 2019.
THANK YOU FOR A GREAT 27TH ANNUAL APAW EXPO!
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.
VIRTUAL COURSES & RECORDED COURSES WILL BE
AVAILABLE ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2026
and will be available to view until Feb. 1, 2027​
​
New virtual courses are currently being sourced and recorded. Once this year's courses are confirmed/recorded, we will list them here.
​
The courses below are from 2025 and we will allow viewing of these because the information is important and timeless.
WILL LOWREY
Founder and Legal Counsel for Animal Partisan
VIRTUAL COURSE - AVAILABLE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH
Topic: Unique Challenges Pursuing Justice for Farmed Animals
Will Lowrey is the founder and Legal Counsel for Animal Partisan, a legal advocacy organization focused on challenging unlawful conduct in animal agriculture and experimentation. Prior to his current role, Will worked for another animal protection nonprofit where he divided his time between civil litigation and providing counsel for undercover investigations. Will currently teaches Animal Law at the University of Oklahoma College of Law and has also taught at Vermont Law and Graduate School and the University of St. Thomas School of Law. Will lives in rural Virginia with several formerly farmed animals and writes fictional books about animals in his spare time.
WILLIAM GOREN
Attorney, Service Animal Expert
VIRTUAL COURSE - AVAILABLE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH
Topic: Roadmap for Dealing with ESA’s and Impact of Supreme Court’s Decision
in Loper Bright Enterprises, Inc. v. Raimondo
William D. Goren is one of the country’s foremost authorities on the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For 28 years and continuing, he has been advising on ADA compliance as both an attorney and professor—of which during his time as a full-time academic at various institutions in Chicago, he won numerous teaching awards and achieved tenure.
WILLIAM GOREN
Attorney, Service Animal Expert
VIRTUAL COURSE - AVAILABLE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH
Topic: Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act;
What Everyone Needs to Know
William D. Goren is one of the country’s foremost authorities on the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For 28 years and continuing, he has been advising on ADA compliance as both an attorney and professor—of which during his time as a full-time academic at various institutions in Chicago, he won numerous teaching awards and achieved tenure.
CARRIE DUCOTE
Principal Consultant, Shelter Savvy
VIRTUAL COURSE - AVAILABLE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH
Topic: Shelter Assessments: What they are, why you need one, and the most common mistakes shelters are making.
Carrie Ducote started volunteering at her local animal shelter in 2007 and got hooked on the industry. She spent four years working as the adoption manager at Atlanta Humane Society and one year as the operations manager at Georgia SPCA. In 2015, she joined Best Friends Animal Society where she spent 8 years in a variety of roles, primarily at the executive level consulting with shelter leadership nationally to decrease euthanasia. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology, master's degree in anthrozoology and institutional certificates in animal services executive leadership and cat lifesaving.
KATRINA AMARO
Gwinnett County Animal Welfare
VIRTUAL COURSE - AVAILABLE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH
Topics: 1. Veterinarians & Shelters: Vital Partnerships. Why creating a trusting
relationship with local vets is vital to winning cases.
2. What Vet Students Need To Know With Animal Abuse & Animal Welfare
Katrina is a highly experienced animal lover with a passion for animal welfare since 1999. Her journey began as an intern at the Niagara Falls Aquarium for Marine Biology, where she discovered her love for animals. She then worked for over five years as an assistant manager at a Doggie Daycare / Boarding facility, refining her skills in animal care and management. In 205 Katrina completed her associate degree in criminal justice technologies from Gwinnett Technical College. In 2016, Katrina joined the Gwinnett County animal control team as a kennel officer ACOI, rapidly rising through the ranks to become a Cruelty and Neglect Investigator ACOIII. Katrina was appointed to the Special Operations Manager in January 2023, her responsibilities included managing all bite cases, neglect and cruelty cases, court and probation, and rescue operations. In January 2024 Katrina was appointed as the Division Director over Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement. When she's not working, Katrina enjoys reading, rock hounding, arts and crafts, reading, and spending quality time with her family, dogs, and reptiles. Her commitment to animal welfare is exceptional, making her an invaluable asset to the Gwinnett County team.
EMILY RAPACH
Wildlife Biologist 2, Urban Wildlife Program, Wildlife Resources Division, A division of the GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
VIRTUAL COURSE - AVAILABLE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH
Topics: Human - Wild Conflict
Emily Rapach is a biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Urban Wildlife Program (UWP). The UWP is dedicated to handling human-wildlife conflict in the metro-Atlanta and Savannah areas. Emily focuses on deer management and research in urban areas. Prior to starting her career with Georgia DNR, Emily worked on the Urban/Suburban Black Bear Study in Asheville, North Carolina, and has worked with other state agencies such as South Carolina DNR and South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks.
JAMES CROSBY, M.S., CBCC-KA
Canine Agression Expert
VIRTUAL COURSE - AVAILABLE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH
Topic: Case Study of Dog Bite Related Fatalities
Mr. Crosby is a retired Police Lieutenant and has professionally trained dogs, taught individual and group obedience classes, and addressed canine behavior problems since 1999. He serves as Division Management Consultant of Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services, the municipal agency responsible for rescue and adoption needs, investigation of animal cruelty, animal fighting, and regulation of Dangerous Dogs for residents of Jacksonville. Holding a Master of Science in Veterinary Forensic Medicine, Jim is recognized in and out of Court as an expert in the US and Canada on Dangerous Dogs, canine aggression, fatal dog attacks, and related issues. Jim teaches safe handling and rehabilitation of Dangerous Dogs and Investigation of Fatal and Serious Dog Attacks to police, animal control agencies, and others across the US and Canada. He has been instrumental in a number of successful prosecutions focused on dog related fatalities.