Cathy Anderson DVM, MS
Dr Cathy Anderson is the medical director of Adopt-A-Pet, Inc in Fenton Michigan and has been practicing shelter medicine for over 15 years. Cathy has her DVM degree from Michigan State University, In 2017, was awarded a Master of Science in shelter medicine and a graduate certificate in forensic medicine from the University of Florida
Julie Bank
Julie Bank is the principal of JBankConsulting where she works with non-profit and government clients on assessments, operations, programming, administration and planning. She also works with corporate organizations to help them grow their social responsibility programs and to introduce them to the animal welfare space. She has worked for over 35 years in private non-profit animal welfare and governmental animal controls, leading organizations in New York, Arizona, Oklahoma, and California.
Louiza Chan, BVSc (Hons), MRCVS, MBA
Dr. Louiza Chan earned her veterinary medicine degree from the University of Sydney in 2001. Her passion for shelter medicine began during vet school and continued through her work with rescue groups in private practice. Inspired by her challenging Jack Russell Terrier, she pursued post-graduate training in veterinary behavior medicine through Delta Institute Australia and the University of Sydney.
Lacie Davis, MPA, MS
Lacie started in emergency management in 2007 in Brevard County, Florida. She spent 5-plus years as the emergency manager for all things animals, including ensuring the county had plans for animals in disasters. During that time, she had the opportunity to volunteer with the ASPCA on the second-largest dog fighting bust in history. Through that work, Lacie immersed herself in learning more about how she could further her impact on animal welfare.
Uri Donnett, DVM, MS, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)
Dr. Uri Donnett is a board certified specialist in Shelter Medicine. He holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine as well as a Masters of Science in Veterinary Preventive Medicine from Iowa State University. He completed an internship and residency in shelter medicine at Mississippi State University from 2015-2018. Uri then worked in academia from 2018-2021 as the Maddie’s Clinical Instructor in Shelter Medicine for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Shelter Medicine Program.
Ann (Ensminger) O’Brien, MS, CAWA
Ann (Ensminger) O’Brien earned her Master of Science in Veterinary Medical Sciences with a concentration in Shelter Medicine from the University of Florida in 2018. She also earned her graduate certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from UF while working towards her master’s degree. In 2022, she was credentialed as a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) through The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA). Ann is currently the Chief Programs Officer at Animal Friends in Pittsburgh, PA where she has worked in various management and leadership roles since 2006.
Jeff Fortna, DVM, MS
Dr. Jeff Fortna is a seasoned veterinarian with twenty five years of animal shelter and clinical experience. He has participated in a variety of shelter programs, services and site-wide assessments in his career. He received his veterinary degree from Michigan State University (2000) followed by the Maddie’s Graduate Certificate in Shelter Medicine (2015) and Master of Science degree in Veterinary Clinical Sciences with a concentration in Shelter Medicine (2016) from the University of Florida.
Dr. Jo Jarred
Dr. Jo Jarred graduated from North Carolina State University in 2017 with a focus in zoological medicine. She practiced at a mixed animal hospital with a focus on exotics for three years before transitioning to shelter medicine in 2020.
Erin Katribe, DVM, MS, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)
Dr. Erin Katribe earned her DVM degree from Texas A&M University in 2009, and practiced shelter medicine and high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter in Austin until 2017, when she took a position at Best Friends Animal Society’s sanctuary in Utah. She became Best Friends’ Medical Director in 2018, expanding her scope nationally, and she oversees the National Shelter Medicine team as the Director of National Veterinary Programs.
Hannah Garcia, M.S.
Hannah Garcia is a global educator and current veterinary student. Prior to starting veterinary school, she served for multiple years as the Chief of Staff for an education company that delivers engaging learning experiences online and in-person to students in over 50 countries around the world. Her work has taken her into a wide range of educational environments, from animal shelters to international summer camps, where she has empowered learners through compassionate and interactive teaching.
Emilia Wong Gordon, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)
Dr. Gordon provides mobile and consulting services to animal shelters and other organizations engaged in animal welfare work through her veterinary practice, Haven Veterinary Services. She also lectures regularly on shelter topics at several universities in Western Canada and volunteers with groups focused on animal welfare and diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary medicine.
Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Internal Medicine), DABVM (Shelter Animal Practice)
Dr. Julie Levy is the Fran Marino Endowed Distinguished Professor of Shelter Medicine Education at the University of Florida, where she focuses on the health and welfare of animals in shelters, feline infectious diseases, and humane alternatives for cat population control. She founded Operation Catnip, a community cat trap-neuter-return program that has spayed, neutered, and vaccinated more than 90,000 cats in Gainesville since 1998. A decade later, she joined Dr. Cynda Crawford to launch Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Amy Marder, VMD
Dr. Amy Marder graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and completed a residency in animal behavior at the same institution. She founded the Center for Behavioral Therapy at the ASPCA and then became the Director of the Behavioral Service and the Center for Shelter Dogs at the Animal Rescue League of Boston
Dr. Becky Morrow, DVM, MS, CAWA
Dr. Becky Morrow is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She transitioned into academia after six years of small animal practice and was introduced to shelter medicine through a service-learning project with a local HQHVSN organization. She became fully immersed in shelter medicine while assisting with a large-scale animal cruelty case – managing the veterinary care of hundreds of cats for over a year and providing forensic documentation and testimony for the court.
Dr. Leah Nettle, Ph.D.
Dr. Leah Nettle holds a PhD in Biology from SUNY Binghamton University, specializing in animal behavior, ecology, and evolution. Her doctoral research focused on the vocal communication of American Crows.
Since 2008, Dr. Nettle has been engaged in work involving companion animals across the veterinary, applied behavior, academic, and animal sheltering sectors. Her professional experience includes serving as a veterinary assistant in a small animal clinic, volunteering at animal shelters, and addressing a wide range of pet behavior issues in her capacity as an applied animal behaviorist. Additionally, she has instructed numerous college-level courses on animal behavior, evolution, and introductory biology, and gives lectures on pet behavior. Dr. Nettle also provides foster care and serves as a behavior consultant for a local foster-based rescue organization.
Dr. Andrea Peda, DVM, MS
Dr. Andrea Peda is an Associate Professor of Shelter Medicine and Small Animal Surgery at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, where she is also a proud alumna. Since completing her Master’s in Shelter Medicine in 2017, she has been actively involved in co-teaching for the University of Florida’s online Shelter Medicine program. Dr. Peda is deeply passionate about educating students in shelter medicine, advancing access to care programs and promoting companion animal health and welfare through community outreach and education programs.
Katherine Polak, DVM, MPH, MS, DACVPM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)
Dr. Katherine Polak is a board-certified specialist in Shelter Medicine and Preventive Medicine with a global career dedicated to animal welfare. She serves as Vice President of Companion Animals and Engagement for Humane World for Animals, leading initiatives across Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Her work includes large-scale spay/neuter programs, access-to-care interventions, and efforts to end the dog and cat meat trade.
Caitlin Quinn, MPA
Caitlin has been working in animal welfare since 2009, with experience in both direct service and leadership roles. She previously served as Assistant Director of a national animal welfare foundation and later as Director of Operations for HeARTs Speak. Now a freelance creative consultant and educator, she specializes in community engagement and strategic storytelling, helping organizations reimagine how they connect with their audiences and build lasting support.
Dr. Fred Rainey MS, DPhil.
Dr. Rainey came to shelter medicine after a 20 year academic career in microbiological research, teaching and university administration. During this time he authored or coauthored over 300 research papers and book chapters. Over the years he served on the Editorial Board of numerous microbiology journals, organized international conference sessions and was the Chair of Bergey’s Manual Trust. It was in retirement that he got involved in animal welfare and shelter medicine.
Lisa Shriver, DVM
Dr. Shriver graduated from The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. She is passionate about learning and sharing knowledge related to the ever-evolving fields of shelter medicine, veterinary forensics, field medicine, and access to care for underserved populations. She has been part of the University of Florida Shelter Medicine instructional team since 2013.
Emily Walz, DVM MPH DACVPM
Dr. Emily Walz is a veterinarian who practices at the intersection of shelter medicine and public health. They are also interested in the role animals play in the urban ecosystem and are actively involved in incorporating animal services into mental health, sheltering and social support services for the entire household. Emily specializes in building connections to support community-based and participatory methods as a means to empower disenfranchised voices in animal welfare and public health.
Laurene Wright, DVM, MS
Laurene (Laurie) Wright holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University. She earned her Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine with a concentration in Shelter Medicine from the University of Florida in 2018. She also earned a graduate certificate in Shelter Medicine from UF in 2013. She transitioned into shelter medicine after 27 years in private practice and worked as the medical director for an open admissions municipal shelter for 5 years.