Registration
Early bird registration for the ODD Ball 2027 in Albuquerque opens on September 10, 2026!
Previously, registration was only open to members of the Owners of Dog Daycares Facebook group <-Current daycare owners, learn more about the group and register directly for the conference! (Proof of ownership of a dog daycare business is required to join the facebook group. Managers are not eligible for the facebook group, but may attend the conference.)
Now, the conference is open to individual (non-franchise) owners of dog daycares. We would love to have you join us! Please use the button below to email us for a registration link.
Tickets are transferable but not refundable.
Thank you to our ODD Ball 2026 Sponsors!
Our 2026 Speaker Lineup
Amanda Eick Schwarzwalder
Amanda Eick Schwarzwalder, RVT, KPA CTP, EFFCP (Vet), VTS (Behavior), CVPM. RYT (200hr)
Amanda is the owner of Pawsitively Pets, LLC an animal training, behavior & consulting business in Wooster, Ohio. She holds a degrees in business from Ashland University and veterinary technology from Cedar Valley College. All of the credentials she has acquired are in dedication to providing excellent care to all her patients, clients, and the businesses she consults with. She spent the last 16 years working as a Veterinary Technician Specialist and practice manager in specialty behavior practice. For fun Amanda shows cats with TICA and teaches yoga. She and her husband share their home with 1 squirrel obsessed German Shorthaired Pointer & 9 very fluffy cats.
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Topic: Belly rub or take my keys and wallet: the subtle body language that tells you the difference.
Ever wonder if that tail wag is a happy one? Not sure if dogs are going to be friends or foes? Let's dive into the subtle body language of conflict and displacement to learn how to stay safe and help our friends avoid a poor report card!
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Topic: Creating Success Stories: setting up behavior patients for success away from home.
Have you ever had to call an owner to get their pet early? Find yourself stranded with an anorexic, howling husky on a Saturday night? We'll walk through techniques and ideas for setting pets up for successful boarding or daycare scenarios as well as what resources are available when things aren't working.
Brian Boyd
Brian is a seasoned attorney with a practice focused on corporate law, business transactions, and tax matters. As a partner in the law firm, Mr. Boyd has built a reputation for delivering comprehensive, tailored legal solutions to entrepreneurs, businesses, and high-net-worth individuals.
With deep expertise in complex entity structuring, Mr. Boyd assists clients in creating tax-efficient organizational frameworks designed to protect assets and maximize profitability. He is a trusted advisor for businesses of all sizes, offering guidance on mergers, acquisitions, contract negotiations, compliance, and strategic planning.
Mr. Boyd's tax law practice spans federal, state, and local tax issues. He provides clients with proactive strategies to minimize liabilities while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Recognized for his meticulous attention to detail, he is adept at solving complex tax challenges, including cross-border issues and multi-state operations.
In addition to his transactional work, Mr. Boyd represents his clients in court, bringing his litigation skills to bear in disputes involving tax controversies, commercial conflicts, and other legal challenges. His courtroom experience gives his clients confidence that their interests are vigorously protected at every stage.
Mr. Boyd also specializes in estate planning services that emphasize business succession, asset protection, and legacy planning. He helps business owners preserve their wealth for future generations, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership and minimizing estate tax burdens.
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Topic: Small Business Tax Efficiency: Practical Strategies + Open Q&A
Chris Pursell
Chris Purcell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who earned his master's degree in social work from the University of Tennessee. He has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing OCD, anxiety, and related disorders. His clinical experience includes working with individuals across the lifespan, families, and groups.
In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Chris works as the NOATC Director of Community Engagement and loves getting the opportunity to connect with the greater Nashville and Tennessee community. Additionally, Chris serves as the Founding President of OCD Tennessee, the statewide 501c3 affiliate for the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).
Chris is trained in and utilizes exposure and response prevention (ERP), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), Habit Reversal Training (HRT), behavioral activation (BA), and mindfulness techniques.
Chris previously spent over a decade coaching soccer for adolescents at the club and high school levels. When he's not with clients, he can be found outdoors, training for triathlons, playing tennis or soccer, enjoying a local coffee shop or restaurant, or spending time with dogs named Theo and Aiden.
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Topic: Stay, Heal, Sit: Wellness for Those Who Care
As we all know, our industry attracts people with anxiety and other mental health struggles. Courtney and Chris will be providing attendees with a better understanding of anxiety. They will include evidence-based strategies and practices to identify and better manage anxiety, and provide resources for future utilization.
Courtney Bottoms Gustafson
Courtney Bottoms Gustafson is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked in the mental health field since 2008. She began working as a therapist in 2016 and has specialized in OCD, OCD spectrum disorders, and anxiety disorders since 2017.
Courtney completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Education in Counseling and Human Development at Lindsey Wilson College. Following the completion of graduate school, Courtney completed her postgraduate supervision working as a therapist in a partial hospitalization program (PHP) that focused on the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders. For the last six years, she has worked at Nashville OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center as a therapist and serving as Head of Student Development. Courtney utilizes exposure and response prevention (ERP), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) in her work with children, adolescents, and adults.
She aims to provide a safe, supportive, and affirming therapeutic setting for clients of all cultures and identities. Courtney views her role as a therapist as aiding anxiety sufferers in learning to shift from taking the perspective of fear to looking through the lens of curiosity. Her hope is that every client finishes their treatment experience living a life driven by personal values instead of fear and understanding what it means to coexist with anxiety.
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Topic: Calm in the Kennel: evidence-based strategies to help your team manage anxiety
This session will include experiential exercises and is designed to be informative, practical, and fun. You will leave this session better equipped to support yourself, your team, and the dogs you love.
Drew Brinkoetter
Drew Brinkoetter is the CEO and Co-Founder of Goose, a next-generation operating system for pet care businesses. With a background in operations, sales, and finance, he brings over a decade of experience in the pet care industry. Before launching Goose, Drew co-founded Yardstick, a premium boarding and daycare provider in the Southeastern United States.
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Topic: The Metrics That Matter
Pet care businesses are inundated with dashboards and KPIs, but more data often makes decision-making harder, not easier. In this session, Goose Co-Founder and CEO Drew Brinkoetter draws on his experience in operations, sales, and finance to reveal the key metrics that truly drive growth and sustainability. He’ll show how focusing on the right numbers can accelerate progress, reduce unnecessary complexity, and channel valuable resources where they matter most. Attendees will walk away with a practical framework for cutting through the noise and transforming data into confident, actionable insights that deliver real-world results.
Ed Johnson
Ed Johnson is an executive coach, keynote speaker, and founder of Crafted Coach. He helps leaders and teams build the mental fitness needed to lead with clarity, empathy, and impact.
A certified Positive Intelligence® Coach and Facilitator, and a seasoned leadership guide with a background in nonprofit and spiritual leadership, Ed blends calm presence, deep insight, and the right touch of humor to support meaningful growth.
He lives in Warrenton, Virginia with his spouse Alecia, their blended family of five boys, and Foxie — a rescue pup who serves as his loyal sidekick at the “worldwide headquarters” of Crafted Coach.
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Topic: From Dog Lovers to People Leaders: building better relationships where it matters most
If success were only about loving dogs… we probably wouldn’t need this conversation.
We get to love dogs — but lasting success depends on how well we work with their humans. That includes the person at the end of the leash, the team members beside us, and yes, the one we see in the mirror.
Whether you’re navigating client concerns, team dynamics, or your own internal stress, mental fitness is the key to stronger relationships and sustainable results. It starts by spotting our “saboteurs” — those hidden patterns of self-sabotage that get in the way. You’ll have the chance to discover your own top saboteurs with a free assessment (QR code provided). This keynote introduces the Positive Intelligence® (PQ) framework — a practical approach to building awareness, reducing reactivity, and leading with empathy, clarity, and confidence.
Eva Higgins
Eva Higgins, PMP, is the Founder and Principal of Cardinal Delta IT Consulting. With over 25 years of experience in IT systems, e-commerce, retail, and healthcare, Eva is a certified Project Management Professional. She has held key roles such as Vice President of Operations & Communications for PMI Nashville, Project Manager for Lexis Nexis, and Product Owner for Business Intelligence HCA.
Eva is known for leading project management teams in implementing healthcare solutions and is a respected public speaker on team facilitation. Her expertise includes portfolio and program management, change management, facilitation, coaching, presentations, and training. In her free time, she enjoys camping, reading, and traveling with family and Blue Doberman named Brodie.
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Topic: How to make your systems the Top Dog for Revenue Growth (using AI)
Discover how to make your systems the Top Dog for revenue growth with the power of AI. Eva will share how dog daycare businesses can harness automation and artificial intelligence to streamline operations, elevate client experience, and boost profitability.
These systems leverage existing platforms to nurture leads and clients, free up staff from redundant tasks, or introduce leads and clients to new products by generating more income.
Garrett Rea
Garrett Rea is currently the Assistant Administrator for the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development. He was appointed to the position in January 2024. Previously, he was the Program Manager to the TOSHA Consultative Services Section. Garrett started with TOSHA with TOSHA Consultative Services Section in 1997, beginning as an industrial hygiene consultation, subsequently serving as an industrial supervisor with state-wide responsiblities before becoming manager in 2011. Garrett earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio University in 1994 and completed Sewanee's Education for Ministry program, a four-year continuing education certication in 2022.
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Topic: OSHA Compliance
Potential Hazards for Dog Daycare operations and OSHA's Onsite Consultation Program
Jackie Jolie
Jackie Jolie's lifelong dedication to animals, especially horses, led her to a distinguished career in equine and canine bodywork. With a Bachelor's in Equine Health and Rehabilitation, Jackie's 15-year journey has been shaped by her belief in natural healing processes. Her personal turning point came in 2018 after a diagnosis of Lyme disease, which she overcame through natural treatments and learning all about quantum healing through light, water, and magnetism. Getting certified in Quantum Biology to be able to learn on a deeper level along with using red and infrared light therapy during her recovery led her to a bigger mission. This experience, along with her professional observations, inspired the creation of EQUISOL and DOGSOL: red/infrared light therapy blankets for animals. Jackie's vision for EquiSol transcends animal healthcare; it's about enlightening others on the transformative effects of light on overall wellness.
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Topic: Red Light Therapy: Illuminating the health or your pets and business
We will discuss how light is the foundation to optimal health, even before exercise, diet, and sleep. This will be a mind-blowing, enlightened (pun-intended) discussion on how to truly help your pets feel and move better with the amazing modality of red light therapy. Is this something to offer at your daycare center?
Included in this discussion: How do you frame red light therapy when offering it to clients? What training is required for you and your staff to provide it? Is this a spa treatment, a supplemental treatment, or medicine? (Depending on your location, that answer may vary.)
Jenn Dahinton
Jenn Dahinten is the owner and operator of Royal Pets Hotel & Enrichment, a luxury pet care facility in Ontario known for its commitment to best practices and innovation in pet lodging, daycare, and behavior-based enrichment. Since acquiring what was once a modest backyard kennel, Jenn has succeeded in quadrupling the annual revenue of Royal Pets -without adding square footage or monumental capital investment, by reimagining operations, restructuring services and focusing on customer value all while prioritizing animal welfare, professional standards, and staff development. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC), leading efforts to advance third-party certification and raise industry standards. With a background in biochemistry and emergency services, Jenn brings a unique, systems-focused lens to animal care operations. Her insights are grounded in hands-on experience and a deep commitment to elevating the industry through education, mentorship, and strategic leadership. Jenn regularly shares this knowledge through both Paw Excellence Business Coaching and speaking engagements on topics ranging from professionalization in pet care, certification and regulation, staff retention, operations and sustainable business growth.
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Topic: SOP's: A practical Guide to Take Control of Time, Training, and Team Efficiency - do your own time study.
Too many pet care business owners overcomplicate creating and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)—thinking it requires consultants, expensive time studies, or a massive project that never gets done. This session demystifies the process. Through real-life examples, you’ll learn how any team can run simple time studies, spot inefficiencies, and build SOPs that actually get used. Attendees will leave with tools to:
• Empower staff to co-create and refine SOPs
• Identify time-wasting practices with easy DIY tracking
• Improve onboarding, consistency, and accountability
• Reclaim time and boost morale
Jessica Schultz
Jessica Schultz is an attorney dedicated to being a voice for the voiceless — whether advocating for animals or representing individuals harmed due to negligence. With a practice focused on both animal law and personal injury, Jessica brings a rare combination of compassion, strategic insight, and deep industry knowledge to every case.
Focused on combining her passion for the law with her lifelong advocacy for animals, Jessica currently serves as Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Animal Law Section and sits on the American Bar Association’s Companion Animal Subcommittee. In these roles, she is at the forefront of addressing the legal needs affecting the lives, rights, and welfare of animals — from companion animal cases to liability issues involving professionals who care for animals.
Before devoting her practice to advocacy and victims’ rights, Jessica spent nearly 20 years working within the insurance industry, gaining extensive experience across commercial and personal lines, with a focus on coverage, risk management, and claims.
Now, she uses this insider knowledge to fight for injured clients and hold negligent parties accountable. She understands how insurance carriers investigate and undervalue claims — and uses that to her clients’ advantage to pursue the settlements they deserve. As a trained mediator and arbitrator, she works to resolve cases efficiently, minimizing stress and resources for both clients and the courts.
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Topic: The Legal Leash: Exploring the Evolution of Pets Beyond Property and Legal Shifts Every Pet Daycare Owner Should Watch
Pets are gaining recognition beyond just property in the legal system and laws are shifting to reflect society’s view of pets as part of the family. For pet daycare owners, this evolution brings new responsibilities—and new risks. This session unpacks emerging legal trends, explores liability concerns, and offers practical strategies to protect your business while keeping tails wagging and your clients confident.
Joe Zuccarello
Joe’s journey in the pet industry started in 1986. Joe spent over 22 years in the pet services industry, a majority of which included helping develop and advance one of the nation’s most prestigious chain of Pet Resorts. Joe then focused on new product development and management for 10 years as Director of Innovation and Product Development at a leading manufacturer of grooming and dental products. In 2018, Joe joined the team at Paragon School of Pet Grooming and Learn2GroomDogs.com, the leading pet professional development and education solutions company. As President, Joe led the company’s educators in providing learning solutions for the pet grooming services industry, which are used by individual career seekers, pet salon owners, and multi-unit retailers as their core training tools for staffing, developing new groomers, and enhancing the skills of existing grooming producers. Joe has a Master’s Degree in Business, is a freelance pet industry consultant, and is also the creator and host of the popular Hey Joe! Podcast. He has been invited to present to grooming professionals and pet industry businesses all over the world, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Italy, the UK, and Canada. As a consultant, Joe has counseled hundreds of pet business owners, focusing on profit and productivity maximization. Joe now leads groomer services, product development, and innovation at the nation’s largest grooming distributor, Groomer’s Choice Pet Products. Joe’s unique background of pet services, product development and sales, education, and business consulting makes him a valuable partner to any pet business.
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Topic: The Grooming Balance
Do you know which key performance indicators (KPIs) are driving your grooming business’s success? If not, you’re not alone! Many grooming professionals struggle to track and use data effectively—but we’re here to change that. Join industry expert Joe Zuccarello from Groomer’s Choice for a must-attend webinar on how to measure, manage, and maximize your grooming business’s performance using KPIs.
What You’ll Learn:
✔️ What KPIs are & why they matter
✔️ Key grooming industry benchmarks
✔️ Financial & managerial accounting made simple
✔️ How to track the right data for growth
✔️ Smart & simple ways to set goals and budgets
✔️ Maximizing your grooming team’s performance
Dr. John Beres
Dr. John Beres is a veterinarian and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in pet care. For 12 years, he owned and operated a veterinary practice alongside a pet boarding and dog daycare center. Today, he is the CEO and founder of Canine Lab Testing, the first company to deliver a comprehensive parasite monitoring program designed specifically for pet enrichment facilities. Through the Healthy Pets Healthy Packs™ initiative, Dr. Beres helps boarding and daycare centers keep their dogs healthier and their operations safer—benefiting both pets and their families.
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Topic: The Scoop on Poop: Understanding What You Can’t See
Parasites are one of the most overlooked threats in pet boarding and daycare facilities—most infected dogs show no outward signs, yet a single positive pet can expose the entire pack. In “The Scoop on Poop: Understanding What You Can’t See,” Dr. John Beres draws on his unique experience as both a veterinarian and the former owner of a veterinary practice and boarding/daycare facility. He explains how parasite cases often circle back into group play settings—not always out of dishonesty, but because parasites are easy to dismiss when facilities don’t emphasize their seriousness. This dual perspective shows why consistent fecal testing is the only reliable safeguard. Attendees will learn how parasites spread silently, how to detect them early, and how structured monitoring protects pets, staff, and client trust.
John Seal
John Seal is the CEO and founder of Paw Point Marketing, a marketing agency devoted to helping pet care businesses drive more bookings through targeted digital marketing strategies. He is passionate about the pet care industry and understands the unique challenges that come with running a daycare, grooming, or training business. John’s mission is to help teach pet business owners how to adopt simple, effective marketing tactics that set their business apart from the market. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped hundreds of businesses across North America capture market share, refine their messaging, and increase revenue.
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Topic: Do What Works! Marketing tactics that get you noticed and get bookings without breaking the bank.
Learn marketing tactics that actually get results without draining your budget. Standing out in competitive markets can be difficult and expensive. Attendees of this session will learn simple, easy-to-implement strategies that capture attention, attract new clients, and drive bookings for your pet care business. Using marketing tactics developed from hundreds of businesses, you’ll learn how to maximize your exposure, build trust with potential clients, and drive repeat bookings, all without breaking the bank.
Julianna Carella
Julianna Carella, is the CEO and Founder of Treatibles, a hemp CBD pet product line.
Julianna’s foray into the pet world happened organically. Creating CBD infused products for dogs, cats, horses and other critters was born from her first company, Auntie Dolores, which since 2008 has been providing delicious, healthy and effective gourmet medical marijuana and phytocannabinoid edibles for people. Customers of the company began asking Julianna about giving these products to their pets, who were suffering from many of the same conditions as their people – anxiety, inflammation, joint issues, digestive disorders, cancer, seizures, and more. Understanding that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in cannabis can be harmful to our animal friends, Julianna worked tirelessly to develop safe and effective products for pets.
In 2013 she established Treatibles. What began as an offshoot of Auntie Dolores has blossomed into a vital business, with its home in Nashville, TN.
Julianna a San Francisco native, is an avid proponent of health freedom and an activist in the cannabis community. Her knowledge of both cannabis and hemp is unsurpassed.
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Topic: Reducing Stress: Benefits of CBD in Daycare and Boarding
Discover the benefits of CBD for pets in settings such as daycare, training and grooming. CBD balances the endocannabinoid system of the pet, providing calming to the nervous system on a physiological level. The presentation will highlight how businesses can not only calm their client’s pets but also inspire repeat business from pet parents looking for daycare, training and grooming options that diminish stress levels.
Manny Guerra and Chris Ashton
Manny Guerra HHCT, ABCDT has been training dogs for over a decade now. Much of that time was spent in the shelter environment. The shelter afforded him the opportunity to train with organizations like Dogs Playing for Life and Bound Angels. His experience has taken him around the country teaching staff and volunteers at other shelter organizations about safe dog handling and dog playgroups. After 6 years of working for the Palm Springs Animal Shelter as Behavior and Enrichment Specialist, Manny opened K9 Parent Training. K9PT’s mission is to provide dog training for the whole family.
Chris Ashton CPTI, a 37-year-old dad of two daughters, living in Big Bear, CA, with my wife Nancy. I'm the owner of Enlighten Dogs, a dog training and boarding facility on our ranch in Cherry Valley, CA. With 15+ years of experience, I've worked with law enforcement, animal control, therapy dogs, and service dogs. I'm a Pet CPR instructor, traveling nationwide to teach pet first aid and defensive dog handling. Our facility offers doggy daycare, day train programs, and boarding. I previously worked as a K9 handler and continue to collaborate with law enforcement. When not training dogs, I enjoy the outdoors with my family and running our Christmas tree farm.
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Topic: Enhance Your Doggy Daycare with Day Train Defensive Dog Handling for Daycares
Our Defensive Dog Handling program teaches staff how to:
Evaluate dogs for potential conflicts
Read body language to identify stress and aggression
Interrupt conflicts before they escalate
Break up dog fights safely and humanely
Manage dog bites with proper protocol
This training will:
Boost staff confidence and competence
Reduce dog bites and conflicts
Improve overall safety and well-being
Our Day Train program offers a fun and engaging experience for dogs, including:
Fun walks and exploration
Agility training and obstacle courses
Enrichment games and mental stimulation
Customized activities tailored to each dog's needs
how to sell this package to existing clients
This program will:
Increase client satisfaction and retention
Differentiate your facility from competitors
Provide a comprehensive and engaging experience for dogs
Benefits of Combining Both Programs
By incorporating Defensive Dog Handling and Day Train, you'll create a safe, fun, and well-rounded environment for dogs. This combination will:
Enhance staff skills and confidence
Reduce conflicts and improve safety
Increase client satisfaction and retention
Aidan Redmond
Aidan Redmond is a Senior Investment Analyst for Ladenburg Asset Management. He is responsible for conducting market research and analysis, fund and manager due diligence for the Ladenburg Asset Management Program (LAMP), maintenance of the top-rated funds and ETF lists, and assisting with the Ladenburg Funds.
Prior to joining Ladenburg, Aidan worked as a strategy consultant, providing strategic guidance to boutique institutional asset managers. Prior to this, Aidan worked for NEPC as a research analyst. At NEPC, Aidan was the lead analyst and primary researcher for a $7 billion multi-asset investment program. He started his career at Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management in the Multi-Manager Investment Program, conducting research and due diligence on investment managers across a wide array of asset classes and strategies.
Aidan earned a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in finance from Quinnipiac University. He holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation from the CAIA Association and is a member of the CAIA Boston and CAIA New York chapters. Aidan earned a Master of Business Administration with High Distinction from Bentley University’s McCallum Graduate School of Business.
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Topic: Macro Economic Forces Impacting Small Businesses
Ryan Pope
Ryan is not just a speaker; he's a catalyst for transformation. With a background in Mechanical Aerospace Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration, Ryan brings a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen to the stage. His journey from Multi-Million, C-Suite corporate leadership down to small business advocacy reflects his commitment to bridging the gap and empowering local enterprises.
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Topic: Stop Chasing Your Own Tail: Working On Your Business Without Losing Your Sanity
Everyone running a small business has been there: you started this whole adventure for freedom, flexibility, and maybe even that beach house with the killer ocean view. But instead of living the dream, you’re buried under endless to-dos, wearing more hats than a Kentucky Derby. The problem? You’re stuck IN the business instead of working ON it.
In this talk, Ryan Pope of Out of the Box Advisors is here to hand you the roadmap to getting out of the rut. We’ll take a fun (and sometimes painfully honest) look at why so many small business owners and managers get caught in the weeds—and how to claw your way back out without burning out or swearing off business ownership entirely.
What We’ll Cover:
* Delegation without the anxiety – How to hand things off without constantly peeking over shoulders like a helicopter boss.
* Agency cost theory (aka “Why letting go feels like handing your toddler scissors”) – And how to do it anyway, safely.
* Process is your BFF – Because if your business only works when you’re in the room, you don’t have a business… you have a very stressful hobby.
* Burnout is not a badge of honor – Tips to keep your energy up so you can enjoy both your business and life outside it.
* Breaking up with your ego – Learning that you don’t have to be the smartest, fastest, or only person who can do the job. (Spoiler: the business doesn’t crumble when someone else changes a lightbulb.)
* Proof in the pudding – Real stories of people who stopped spinning their wheels and actually started moving the car forward.
Big Takeaway
You’ll walk away not just with hope, but with practical, real-world strategies to escape the day-to-day, breathe a little easier, and finally grow the business you always imagined. (And maybe…. just maybe, earn yourself that ocean view too.)
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 drew on his healthcare background to design solutions that actually work in pet care. That work led to the creation of Labor Lens™, the industry’s only labor management system built specifically to help boarding and daycare operators lower and maintain labor costs.
Through his consulting company, Next Tree Strategies, Sean now shares these systems and insights with independent pet care owners across the country—empowering them with simple, effective tools to streamline operations, maximize profits, and build sustainable businesses without compromising care.
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Topic: From Chaos to Clarity: Mastering Labor Costs in Pet Care
Labor costs are the single largest and most mismanaged expense in pet care businesses today. Many owners find themselves overstaffed on slow days, scrambling on busy ones, and unsure how to fix it. This session cuts through the noise and gives you a clear, actionable plan to take back control. Join Sean as he breaks down the exact system he’s used to slash waste, improve scheduling, and boost profitability across multiple locations. You’ll walk away with a four-step framework built specifically for pet boarding and daycare businesses and a new way to turn labor into a strategic advantage for your business.
Trish McMillan
Trish McMillan holds a master of science degree in animal behavior, and is a certified professional dog trainer, She worked for the ASPCA for nearly eight years, first as director of animal behavior at their NYC shelter, then helping assess and rehabilitate dogs from cruelty cases, dogfighting and hoarding situations, and researching, writing and presenting on animal behavior topics. Sh owns McMillan Animal Behavior in North Carolina, run from her small farm, Pibble Hill. There, she does training and behavior modification work with dogs, cats, and horses. Trish speaks and consults nationally and internationally on animal sheltering issues, dog, cat, and horse behavior, dog aggression, and defensive handling.
When she’s not on the road, Trish shares her life with three horses, two goats, four dogs, way too many chickens, and two cats as well as a rotation of foster animals.
Trish currently runs Shelter Behavior Hub, which has courses on dog and cat behavior as well as her flagship online shelter dog and cat behavior mentorships.
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Topic: No, it's not all how they're raised
Nature or nurture, what is more influential on a dog's behavior? Is it true that there are "no bad dogs, only bad owners"? Is the way a dog turns out mostly based on how they're raised? This talk will explore all the different things that go into making a dog who they are, with an exploration of what we know about the science behind behavioral traits, and case studies from the real world.