April 7, 2026
7:30 AM-2:00 PM
Expo for a CAWS Day
8:00 AM-9:15 AM
Perk up for Pets
9:30 AM-3:00 PM
"What should I do?”: Tackling moral distress in clinics, shelters, rehabs and sanctuaries
Speaker:
• Sarah Bowen, Executive Director
9:30 AM-3:00 PM
Barkitecture: Get ready to raise the ruff!
Speakers:
• Michael Barnard
• Shelly Moore
• Kim Hanschen
• C. Scott Learned
• Caty Townsend
9:30 AM-3:00 PM
Building sustainable nonprofit veterinary clinics: Lessons learned from 55 clinics across the United States and Canada
Speakers:
• Aimee Christian
• JJ Russell
• Kate Atema
9:30 AM-3:00 PM
Implementing the ‘new gold standard’ to increase access to care
Speakers:
• Dr. Christina Tran
• Jennifer Bennett
• Kelly Bremken
• Sarah Mantovani
9:30 AM-3:00 PM
Keeping dogs in homes: Practical solutions for managing canine behavior pre and post adoption
Speakers
• Victoria Stilwell
9:30 AM-3:00 PM
Leading for change: Building inclusive, resilient and collaborative leadership in animal welfare
April 8, 2026
8:00 AM-9:15 AM
Round Tables
9:30 AM-10:30 AM
Round Tables
10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Be kind, rewind: Reframing self-talk
Speaker:
• Kelly Bremken
10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Building bridges: Community partnerships in animal welfare
Speakers:
• Jill Henke
• Sarah Aguilar
10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Building sustainability in animal welfare: A South African vet's perspective
Speaker:
• Dr. Kokie Innocentia Harris
10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Canine arousal-related aggression: Understanding, managing and modifying behavior
Speaker:
• Dr. Wailani Sung
10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Donor journeys with a heartbeat: How AI, automation and personalization drove a 300% fundraising surge
Speaker:
• Melissa Davis
10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Lifesaving in the middle of nowhere: Turning rural challenges into community wins
Speakers:
• Heather Hall
• Dr. Louiza Chan
10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Responding to calls about wildlife
Speaker:
• Lynsey White
12:00 PM-3:00 PM
Exhibit Hall
12:00 - 2:30 PM
Lunch provided
3:15 PM-4:30 PM
Advancements in neonatal kitten care
Speakers:
• Marnie Russ
• Dr. Julie Levy
3:15 PM-4:30 PM
Behavioral euthanasia: Decisions, impacts and communications
Speaker:
• Dr. Miranda K. Workman
3:15 PM-4:30 PM
Bridging generations: Leading a multigenerational workforce in animal welfare
Speakers:
• Jamie Gay
• Kelly Cunningham
• Judith Dumont
• Todd Cramer
4:45 PM-6:00 PM
Main stage session
April 9, 2026
8:00 AM-9:15 AM
Beyond the kennel: Navigating the new era of pet acquisition
Speakers:
• Karen Marchi
• Ronnie Matthew
8:00 AM-9:15 AM
Bringing your team along on the journey of Adopters Welcome
Speakers:
• Summer Dolder
• Clare Callison
• Rory Adams
• Jordan Constantine
8:00 AM-9:15 AM
Cats, community and culture: The heart of a sustainable TNVR program
Speakers:
• Angeline Fahey
• Courtney Gustafson
8:00 AM-9:15 AM
Collaborative solutions: Keeping people and pets together through cross-sector partnerships
Speakers:
• Carrie Openshaw
• Lauren Rogers
• Leanna Taylor
• Shoshana Mostoller
8:00 AM-9:15 AM
Coming to a town near you: Humane wildlife control without trapping
Speaker:
• Bill Dowd
9:30 AM-11:00 AM
Main stage session
Speakers:
• Chelsea Staley
• René Moreno
• Gina Knepp
11:00 AM-2:00 PM
Exhibit Hall
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Lunch provided
2:15 PM-3:30 PM
Animal-Friendly Communities: A community-driven approach to harmonize companion animals, wildlife and people
Speakers:
• Sofía Herra
• Grettel Delgadillo-Molina
2:15 PM-3:30 PM
Cruel, yes; illegal, maybe?
Speakers:
• Laura Koivula
• Erin Aiello
2:15 PM-3:30 PM
Don’t make me dig: Making your website easy to find and use
Speakers:
• Jen Zhao
• April Huntsman
2:15 PM-3:30 PM
Euthanasia 101: Tips to improve your shelter's euthanasia process
Speakers:
• Kelly Fuller
• Dr. Cathy Anderson
3:45 PM-5:00 PM
Beyond the buzzwords: Applying trauma-informed and community-centered care
Speaker:
• Brita Loeb
3:45 PM-5:00 PM
Breaking barriers: Expanding access to affordable spay/neuter services
Speakers:
• Jessica Shelton
• Joanna Miller
• Dr. Sara Pizano
• Penny Ellison
3:45 PM-5:00 PM
Fetch the good vibes: Fostering positivity in shelter life
Speakers:
• Kristine Watson
• Jasmine Glover-McNamara
3:45 PM-5:00 PM
Global advocacy: From understanding to action
Speaker:
• Patrick Gerard
3:45 PM-5:00 PM
Puppy socialization or parvo prevention – we CAN have both!
Speaker:
• Dr. Meghan Herron
8:00 PM-11:00 PM
Expo Party