Doors Wide Open: How Field Officers are addressing pet transport barriers directly in the community - On Demand

Aimee St.Arnaud's focus is on increasing access to spay/neuter and veterinary care across the nation. Previously she was the Director of National Veterinary Outreach Programs for Best Friends Animal Society and Director of Programs at ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance where she oversaw spay/neuter training programs of 1,000 professionals a year. She is the founder of Humane Ohio, a spay/neuter clinic performing roughly 18,000 spay/neuters a year and Partner in two full-service access to care veterinary clinics in OH and NC.

Dr. Christina Avila holds a doctorate in business and brings over 20 years of hands-on experience in animal welfare. Her background spans veterinary medicine, kennel care, and—most of all—field work. Known for building strong relationships with both people and their pets, she works to bridge the gap between communities and the services they need. A passionate advocate for animals, Dr. Avila is dedicated to finding innovative, practical solutions to the challenges facing the field today.

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. He has had the pleasure to lead various shelter
operations teams including animal control, adoption, intake, customer care, foster care, volunteer,
education/outreach, transfer/rescue and animal behavior. 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 on the Board of
Directors for the Florida Animal Protection and Advocacy Association and serves as the President of
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.

Accomplished animal welfare professional Jerrica Owen joined the National Animal Care & Control Association in April 2021, as the Director of Partnerships and Programs, was named as Executive Director in December 2021 and was named Chief Executive Officer in September, 2025.

Previously the Director of Strategic Initiatives for San Diego Humane Society, Jerrica supported achieving success on the organization’s primary strategies. In addition, she was the Senior Animal Response Team Leader for the San Diego Humane Society’s Emergency Response Team and has extensive experience in the field during some of our countries worst disasters supporting tactical and shelter operations for all types of animals including domestic, wildlife, and equine.

Jerrica has spent the past 2 decades dedicated to achieving lifesaving excellence and encompasses dynamic organizational leadership, charismatic characteristics, and an energetic passion that will complement the already remarkable work of the NACA. She will support driving the continued success of NACA as the national leader in professionalism and standard setting of the animal control and service profession. She is committed to inclusive engagement and resource accessibility for the industry.

Jerrica earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from California State University-Chico and holds certifications in Animal Welfare Administration (CAWA), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Organizational Leadership, and Modern Humane Resource Management. She lives in California and is a proud wife and mother to both human, fur, and shelled (Tortoise!) babies.