Speakers
Jeff Adney
Jeff has worked in the resinous coatings industry for the past 30 years and has been heavily involved in the Animal Care Industry for the past 25. He has worked in the field, trained, sold and marketed for manufacturers and installation companies. Jeff's latest venture is bringing epoxy and installation of animal care related equipment in house. In addition to working with the various flooring and wall products specific to this industry, he consults with designers and architects and enjoys speaking at the various animal care conferences, Veterinary Universities and privately-sponsored events. Jeff currently does strategic business development for TCW Construction, Inc.
Payton Anderson
Payton Anderson is the Senior Vice President of Growth at Best Friends Pet Care, where she leads national expansion, mergers and acquisitions, and post-close integration. She oversees the full deal lifecycle—sourcing opportunities, evaluating operational and financial performance, structuring transactions, and guiding teams through successful onboarding. Payton’s background blends experience in multi-site operations, large-team leadership, management consulting, and M&A execution. This combination gives her a unique operator-first and strategy-driven approach to scaling service organizations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Clemson University.
Shahrina Ankhi-Krol, Esq.
Shahrina Ankhi-Krol is the owner of Ankhi-Krol Law, a boutique law firm in New York City, which works exclusively with entrepreneurs and small business owners in the areas of business, contract, trademark, and copyright. Her niche practice in the pet industry allows her to work with pet businesses throughout the country. Shahrina has received numerous awards and recognitions for her dedication to the field of law, including being selected Rising Star Super Lawyer nine years in a row. She has given countless talks and presentations at business conferences, expositions, and world-renowned educational institutions and has appeared on various television and radio shows, articles, podcasts, magazines and newspapers, and is a frequent commentator on Law and Crime.
Lora Bacharach
Lora Bacharach, owner and founder of North Country PAWS for Obedience & Enrichment Center, brings over 14 years of experience in the canine industry. Her certifications include Evaluator of AKC, Evaluator and Handler under Therapy Dogs International, Canine Fitness Instructor, and Advanced Certified Dog Trainer through the International Association of Canine Professionals. In addition, she also oversees an inmate training program. Lora's unique approach to training both the handler and their companion always brings new outlooks and interactive ways to train her clients.
Susan Briggs
Susan Briggs is the founder of Crystal Canine, where she helps pet care business owners build more profitable, financially confident businesses through fractional CFO services, financial coaching, and industry-specific KPI reporting. A CPA-trained accountant with a master's degree in accounting, Susan also spent decades as the co-owner of a successful multi-service pet resort, giving her firsthand experience balancing exceptional pet care with financial performance. She is co-founder of The Dog Gurus and PACCC, a frequent industry speaker and educator, and the author of Counting Noses. Susan is passionate about making financial leadership simple, practical, and actionable for pet business owners.
Drew Brinkoetter
Drew Brinkoetter is the CEO and Co-Founder of Goose, the smart operating system built by pet care professionals. With a solid background in operations, sales, and finance, he brings over a decade of experience in the pet care industry. Before founding Goose, Drew co-founded Yardstick, a premium boarding and daycare provider in the Southeastern United States.
Amber Burckhalter
Amber Burckhalter is a pet industry strategist, innovator, founder, and former CEO with more than 25 years of experience building, scaling, and selling pet-care businesses. She founded K-9 Coach with a $500 investment and grew it into a seven-figure, multi-award-winning pet resort before successfully exiting. Today, she coaches pet care business owners through The Dog Gurus, helping them build smarter systems, stronger teams, and more profitable, scalable companies. Amber’s background includes extensive professional training and former certifications as CPDT-KA, CPACO, and CNWI, and she has been featured in leading pet industry publications and media outlets including NPR and Animal Planet. She is also a published author, and has co-written training and behavior programs.
Samantha Burton
Sam Burton began working with Fetch N Catch in 2016 and currently serves as the Daycare Manager/Staff Development Coach. In 2021 she joined the PackPro team as a Dog Handling & Staff Training Consultant, where she assists daycare staff and facilities on-site and virtually across the U.S. with a range of needs, from addressing challenging dog behaviors to refining new dog evaluation processes. Sam’s expertise, practical experience, and commitment to excellence in dog behavior and management continues to make a significant impact in the pet care industry. Sam holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Behavior from Canisius University and over 13 years in the Dog daycare industry.
Fernando Camacho
Fernando Camacho—known by most as Fern—is the CEO of Overdog Digital, a full-service marketing agency and coaching platform built specifically for multi-service pet businesses. With a unique blend of street-level experience from his 15 years as a professional dog trainer and hands-on time in dog daycares, Fern brings a real-world perspective to helping pet resort owners grow. He's the author of 8 industry-shaping books, host of the Overdog Podcast, a sought-after speaker at industry events, and holds four certifications from Digital Marketer. From branding and marketing to leadership and growth strategy, Fern’s mission is to help pet business owners achieve more—with less stress.
Duane Carey
Duane Carey is the founder and president of IMPACT Marketing, a 20-year-old, digital marketing firm in Maryland that specializes in the pet care industry. With a science degree and an MBA in finance, he takes a refreshingly bottom-line approach to marketing, saying it's all about the results, not the pretty pictures. He works with more than 100 pet care clients all over the U.S.
Cagney Collins
Cagney is a Brand and Website Designer at Pet Marketing Unleashed. With more than six years of experience in branding and web design, Cagney specializes in creating polished, cohesive brand personalities for pet care businesses. Her work helps pet business owners attract their dream clients, build trust, and boost their visibility online. A believer in design that does more than look good, she equips pet business owners with strategic branding and websites built to set them apart and grow their businesses with ease.
Kelli Dodds
Kelli Dodds is a leadership consultant with a unique blend of business acumen and pet industry expertise. Beginning her career in retail management, Kelli built a strong foundation in business operations before transitioning to the pet care industry in 2008. She has since led a thriving pet care center, is a certified Pet Tech Pet CPR and First Aid Instructor, and is the creator of Next Level Leadership Academy. Kelli is passionate about mentoring teams, driving growth, and fostering success in pet businesses. She actively engages with the pet care industry through conferences, podcasts, and consulting, staying at the forefront of best practices.
Dr. Cliff Faver
Dr. Cliff Faver, a 1987 graduate of CSU, is the founder/owner of Animal Health Services in Cave Creek, Arizona. He is the US distributor for Iv San Bernard products. He uses the two businesses as a means of merging the grooming and veterinary professions to pursue his life's passion of healing and helping pets. Dr. Faver is an international speaker and teaches the ISB Pet Aesthetician Certification program. He is a member of AVMA, AAHA, AZVMA, a sponsor for the CPPGA, a Board member for the Burbank Kennel Club, and previously served on the Novartis Lead Committee, Hill's International Global Veterinary Board, and is still active in a Veterinary Management Group.
Sean Felty
Sean Felty is a seasoned leader in the pet boarding and daycare industry, bringing hands-on experience to help business owners turn chaos into clarity. As the co-owner of six thriving facilities in Pennsylvania (Greenlin Pet Resorts), Sean has navigated the ups and downs of growth, from humble kennels to multi-location success. Frustrated by unpredictable labor costs, he adapted proven strategies from his healthcare background to create a game-changing approach that’s saved his businesses—and his clients—hundreds of thousands in profits. Through Next Tree Strategies, Sean now shares his expertise, empowering pet care owners with simple, effective tools to streamline operations and boost their bottom line without compromising care.
Alyson Fisher
Alyson Fisher is the Head of Professional Services at PocketSuite, where she helps pet care businesses streamline operations, scale their teams, and create exceptional client experiences through technology. With more than 20 years of leadership experience and as the owner of multiple pet resort locations, Alyson brings a rare perspective that combines real-world operational expertise with a passion for innovation. In leading technology and customer success teams, she understands both the day-to-day challenges of running a successful pet business and the strategies that help businesses grow sustainably. Alyson specializes in helping pet professionals improve efficiency, build stronger teams, and leverage technology to create better experiences for both clients and staff.
David Frank
David Frank is the CEO of Paw Partner, software used by 1,750 boarding, daycare, grooming, and training businesses. He's worked in SEO and digital marketing for 20 years and has spent the last four applying it to pet care, helping businesses improve how they rank when local pet parents search for services. His team works directly with owners and operators on Google Business Profiles, reviews, and local search visibility—and on the AI answer engines now reshaping how dog owners find businesses.
Larry Hamilton
Larry Hamilton is an Enterprise Coach and operational excellence leader with 35+ years transforming multi-site businesses across manufacturing, services, and pet care. He holds an MBA and BS in Statistics from BYU, is a Six Sigma Black Belt, and has earned three Shingo Prize recognitions for operational excellence. As CEO of LP4 Enterprises, Larry led the acquisition and scaling of Dogtown Kennels LLC into Utah's largest pet spa operation with three locations, achieving 45.6% average annual sales growth and 72% EBITDA expansion. His expertise spans Lean Six Sigma deployment, enterprise systems design, and leadership development.
Amy Hillis
Amy is an international thought-leader, public speaker, author, and entrepreneur in the pet care services industry. She is Social Pet Hotel and Daycare’s Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer and currently serves as the Chair of the Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC) board. In 2023, Amy won the IBPSA Industry Leader Award, which recognizes those who have made outstanding efforts to improve the pet care industry through humanitarian or animal welfare efforts as well as education and industry development. She is also a Certified Professional Animal Care Operator, Pet Tech Instructor, and a Fear Free Certified Professional.
Dominic Hodgson
Dom Hodgson, from North East England, is known as “The Pet Biz Wiz,” and is CEO of Pet Business Marketing Ltd. In 2011, he pioneered the launch of the UK's first Dog Adventure company and is also a highly respected dog trainer who has authored nine books. As one of the world’s leading pet business coaches and marketing strategists, Dom has helped over 1,600 frustrated pet business owners to double or triple their revenue so they can work less, have more fun, and create a truly impactful business. His superpower is helping ambitious, heart-centred petpreneurs to stand out, systemise and scale up their existing business, and find the “hidden money” by exploiting new business opportunities.
Allison Jacobs
Allison Jacobs is the CEO and co-owner of award-winning Scout’s Honor, an enrichment-based dog boarding, daycare, grooming, and training company recognized for its people-first culture and commitment to canine well-being. Under her leadership, Scout’s Honor has become known for innovative enrichment programs, strong staff development, and exceptional customer experience, demonstrating that doing what is best for dogs and their caretakers drives strong business results. Allison is an active supporter of her local dog nonprofit community by volunteering with the local humane association and animal shelter because she believes that investing in community partnerships strengthens trust, loyalty, and long-term sustainability in the for-profit pet care industry.
Laura Laaman
Laura Laaman is known as the queen of revenue for the pet care industry. Since 1989, her company Outstanding Pet Care has been providing word-class consulting and education for the pet care industry. Laura has helped her clients collectively generate over an additional $1 billion in revenue growth. Laura’s effective strategies and techniques are consistently proven to boost revenues while empowering her clients to deliver even greater pet care. Since the beginning of her career Laura has been breaking national sales records, publishing top-selling business books, and winning awards for her precedence as a speaker and trainer.
Eve Molzhon
Eve Molzhon’s interest in dogs began 20 years ago as a board member for Capable Canines of Wisconsin, a non-profit service dog organization. She worked in sales management, marketing, and project management, but CCOW inspired her to delve into the animal care industry. She is a member of APDT, IACP, and IAABC. In 2013, she opened Fun Fur Pets Dog Daycare and Boarding. As business grew, Eve saw gaps in employee training, so she created an online, video-based, fully automated staff training program, Dog Handler Academy. At Fun Fur Pets, she created Dog School, a program for dog socialization and obedience training.
Ashlee Moore
With over a decade of experience in growing successful start-ups, Ashlee knows what it takes to build a successful business from the ground up. Through her work as a Sales and Business Development professional, Ashlee has been an integral part of the success and growth of businesses in the health, wellness, and veterinary space. She has worked with pet care businesses across the country, is passionate about their results, and knows what it takes to stand out in this very competitive field. She holds a degree in Business Management and Marketing from Penn State and has leveraged her knowledge and expertise to ensure the goals of small business owners are achieved.
Ellen Ness
Ellen Ness is the founder of Rogue Ops, an operations consulting firm dedicated to helping pet boarding, daycare, and training businesses build scalable systems, develop exceptional leaders, and achieve operational excellence. With experience overseeing multi-site operations, opening new facilities, and creating standardized systems for growing organizations, Ellen combines strategic expertise with a deep commitment to animal welfare. She is a frequent podcast guest, and is the author of her own Substack, where she shares practical insights on leadership, operations, and industry trends. Her mission is simple: help pet care businesses grow without compromising quality.
Lynn Paolillo
Lynn Paolillo has been grooming both dogs and cats for over 10 years. The last 5 have been dedicated to working as an instructor and certifier with the National Cat Groomers Institute of America, Inc. teaching cat grooming students from around the globe. She also owns and operates Cat Naps Cattery, a feline-exclusive boarding and grooming business in New Jersey.
Kristen Perrus
Kristen had worked in pet care management for six years before she opened Scout’s Honor with her business partners Allison Jacobs and Henry Grosvenor. Kristen’s inspiration to create Scout’s Honor, the International Pet Boarding and Daycare Association’s “Pet Care Excellence” award-winner of 2023, came from her passion to create a better and safer dog daycare for both dogs and employees. Kristen is Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge SkillsAssessed and Fear Free Certified. Today Kristen is the co-owner and head dog-trainer at Scout’s Honor.
Mallory Poirier
With over 15 years in the pet care industry, Mallory is the proud co-owner of Fetch n' Catch Canine Recreation Center, located in Buffalo, NY, and is the co-creator of the PackPro Dog Daycare Training program, which offers a Pet Care Management Masterclass, teaching pet care professionals on a variety of topics. Mallory’s passion lies in shaping leaders, enhancing company culture, and teaching essential dog daycare skills. She has spoken at numerous conferences nationwide, sharing her expertise and insights. Through Mallory’s work, she strives to elevate standards in pet care and inspire others in the industry.
Craig Pollack
Craig Pollack is the founder and CEO of Cantara Pet Business Advisors, a technology-forward M&A advisory firm built specifically for pet resort owners preparing for, or executing, a corporate sale. Craig's extensive background includes operating multi-location North American pet resorts, co-founding the PE-backed pet care aggregator Village Pet Care, and serving as a private equity advisor evaluating acquisitions across North America. Craig's goal with Cantara is to help pet resort owners prepare and sell their businesses for maximum outcome with less stress, time, and money.
Brian Remo
Brian Remo is the Vice President of Operations for Embark Pet Services, a multi-location pet care platform operating boarding, daycare, grooming, transportation, and educational facilities throughout the Midwest. With more than two decades of leadership experience spanning hospitality, operations, customer service, sales, theater, and public speaking, Brian is known for his energetic presentation style and practical, real-world approach to leadership development and client experience. Drawing on his unique background, Brian combines storytelling, audience engagement, humor, and actionable strategies to create educational sessions that are as memorable as they are impactful. His presentations focus on customer experience, leadership, team culture, conflict resolution, and operational excellence within the pet services industry.
Rich Schlatter
Rich Schlatter is a senior leader in the pet care industry with more than 20 years of management experience overseeing multi-location operations and leading high-performing teams. He is recognized for building strong, values-driven cultures, optimizing operational performance, and consistently delivering exceptional customer experiences. His notable achievements include producing the highest revenue per square foot nationally and receiving the IBPSA Facility Excellence Award. Committed to continuous learning and industry advancement, Rich holds a certification in Hospitality Management from Cornell University and actively serves the profession as a speaker and Board Member of the Professional Animal Care Certification Council.
Juls Scores
Juls Scores brings over a decade of digital marketing experience and strategic insight to her role as Director of Marketing & Operations at Pet Resort Marketing powered by Nehmedia, where she elevates pet care businesses across digital platforms. As a results-oriented leader, she specializes in aligning long-term campaign goals with effective, measurable marketing strategies, while overseeing daily marketing operations. Juls combines her deep marketing expertise with a genuine passion for animals, bringing authentic insight to every campaign that helps pet resorts thrive in competitive markets.
Austin Thelen
With a proven track record in leadership and customer satisfaction from his early career managing large teams at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Austin brings unparalleled expertise to the pet care industry. In 2015, he and his wife, Lindsay, purchased and transformed Hyline Hotel for Dogs from a modest facility to a thriving enterprise. This hands-on experience directly led to the founding of Paw Partner in 2018, a revolutionary pet service software born from the need for industry-specific solutions. Austin now empowers thousands of pet businesses worldwide to streamline operations and achieve remarkable growth. He enjoys consulting and helping pet service businesses realize the success they are striving for.
Ola van Zyl
Ola van Zyl serves as the Lead of the Commercial Department at United Commercial Group, Keller Williams, where she provides expert guidance and strategic leadership in the commercial real estate sector. Ola has carved out a specialized niche in the acquisition and sale of pet care facilities, and has a proven track record of successfully helping seller clients find the right buyers for their properties, ensuring a smooth and profitable transition, and excels at identifying properties and businesses for buyer clients that position them for long-term growth and success. Driven by a commitment to creating lasting value, Ola is a strategic partner dedicated to the success of her clients and the vitality of the commercial real estate landscape.
Alex Varney
Alex Varney is the Vice President of Operations at Pinnacle Pets Play & Stay and the founder of Considerably Bold, a consulting brand dedicated to elevating standards in the pet care industry. With a decade of experience leading a 40-person team through rapid growth, COVID, structural challenges, and operational overhauls, Alex has built a reputation for clear systems, empowered teams, and compassionate leadership. She creates training programs, operational frameworks, and leadership tools used by facilities nationwide. As a speaker, Alex blends psychology, practical experience, and tested systems to help pet care operators strengthen their teams, improve their operations, and build sustainable success.
Jennifer Wolf-Pierson
Jennifer Wolf-Pierson is the National Safety Manager for Best Friends Pet Hotels, supporting over 80 pet care locations across 25 states and growing. She brings years of hands-on experience partnering with pet care and veterinary business owners to strengthen safety culture, streamline operations, and implement scalable, field-ready systems. Jennifer is a Board Member of the Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC), a published author, and a frequent speaker on safety, leadership, and operational excellence in the pet care industry. She holds a BS in Agricultural Science from Colorado State University and maintains certifications as a CPACO, CPDT-KA, and PetTech CPR & First Aid Instructor.