Mike Arms – President and CEO, Helen Woodward Animal Center

Mike has saved more animals than any other person, living or dead, in animal welfare history. Since his arrival at Helen Woodward Animal Center, in 1999, pet adoptions have leaped to record levels. Their education program has multiplied as they continue to teach children about the unconditional love that only comes from animals, and their therapy programs touch the lives of tens of thousands of people each year.

Mike will open and close the conference highlighting the importance of teaching humane education.

Renee Resko – Vice President of Development,
Helen Woodward Animal Center

Renee has worked in the development field for 20 years and has a breadth of knowledge that includes direct mail, grant writing, cultivating donors, securing major gifts, planning and executing a capital campaign, and managing a planned giving program.

Renee will be speaking and giving advice on Fundraising and Development.

Alexa Munoz-Cortez – Social Media Manager, Helen Woodward Animal Center

Alexa has over 4 years of experience operating social media platforms, digital marketing, daily planning and content creation as well as analyzing data to produce reports. Her involvement in various industries has allowed her to learn how to transform any trend or topic according to what is needed. Her management skills have allowed her to share this expertise and help others learn how to use different tools to succeed based on each one’s capabilities.

Alexa will be speaking and giving advice on Social Media and Technology.

Jessica Gercke – Communications Director,
Helen Woodward Animal Center

Jessica spent over 25 years creating and refining media/publicity campaigns for a wide variety of professional industries. Through it all, her heart and soul belonged to animals.

It has been a true joy for her to put her knowledge of marketing and publicity to work for our furry friends in need of forever homes.

Jessica will be speaking and giving advice on Communications and Public Relations.

Eilidh Wilson – Education Lead, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

As part of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home’s Community team, Eilidh supports many of Edinburgh and the Lothians’ most vulnerable pet owners through our Pet Food Bank and Pet Care networks. Each year, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home cares for hundreds of dogs and cats, many from loving homes and families. We know that social issues such as financial difficulties, illness, homelessness, and domestic abuse can all affect owners’ ability to give their pet the things they need. The Home’s goal is wherever possible to empower owners to keep their pets where they belong – with their families.

With open doors and open minds, the Home aims to break down the stigma people can face when they hit hard times, and to offer a hand of friendship for those in need of our support.

Alexis Fleming,
The Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice

Alexis Fleming started The Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice in March 2016 in memory of her friend and beloved dog Maggie who died alone and in a lot of pain at the vet hospital. When Maggie died, Alexis thought she’d never be able to smile or laugh or love again, but even though she could hardly think for the grief, the words ‘The Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice’ came into her mind, and once the thought was there it wasn’t going to loosen its grip. Six months later the hospice was born. Alexis also established the Karass Sanctuary for Farmed Animals which along with the Hospice gives life-long and end-of-life care to terminally-ill companion and farmed animals who have been abandoned in the final stages of their lives or who would otherwise have lived and died in the food system.

Zhenya Dove, Ukraine

Zhenya Dove is a Ukrainian activist, volunteer, and spokesperson who has been at the forefront of supporting Ukrainian war efforts from the first days of the full-scale invasion. Born and raised in the now occupied Kherson Region, her unwavering commitment to her homeland has driven her to become a prominent campaigner in Scotland, where she has lived for the last 9 years.

Zhenya has masterfully united communities to raise awareness and crucial resources for those affected by the war, collaborating with various Ukrainian, Scottish, and international organizations. Notably, she has organized several impactful photo exhibitions and many successful fundraising events. Her charismatic advocacy and eloquent speeches have inspired countless individuals to join the cause and contribute to humanitarian aid projects. Zhenya works for a Scottish charity, pursuing part-time studies in Psychology and Counselling while simultaneously working towards establishing her very own charitable organisation.

Dr Andrew Gardiner
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Dr Andrew Gardiner is Senior Veterinary Clinical Lecturer at The R(D)SVS and was a foundation Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law. After qualifying from the Dick Vet and spending 15 years in general practice, he undertook a Masters and PhD in History of Science, Technology and Medicine and wrote a thesis on British veterinary medicine of the middle decades of the 20th century. He currently teaches and practices veterinary medicine in Edinburgh.

Lesley Winton, Fostering Compassion

After initially studying Legal Studies and Legal Accounting and working in this field for 15 years, Lesley left to pursue her passion for animal welfare and addressing the links between animal abuse, child abuse and domestic abuse. She has 35 years experience working in the Voluntary Sector in both a professional and volunteer capacity and has set up two charities in relation to animal welfare and child welfare. Driven by the desire to develop a unique humane education project for vulnerable children led to the creation of Fostering Compassion which brings together abused and neglected children with rescued animals.

Lesley has Diplomas in Legal Studies and Legal Accounting, a Diploma in Life Coaching, and in 2014 completed an online Edinburgh University Course on the Clinical Psychology of Children and Young People. She is also a keen writer, publishing her first book in September 2013 highlighting the importance of the human-animal bond. Lesley won the Ceva Animal Welfare Award for Charity Professional of the Year in 2017, and is also a current serving trustee on the board of the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS). Lesley was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List 2022 for services to animal welfare.

Dr Elizabeth Ormerod
Chair, Society of Companion Animal Studies (SCAS)

Dr Ormerod is a retired veterinarian with a deep interest in human-animal interactions, and especially in how knowledge of the bond, animal welfare, animal behaviour and veterinary medicine can be applied to help the most vulnerable people and animals. She pioneered bond-centred veterinary practice and veterinary community outreach, introducing Animal-Assisted Services to schools, nursing homes, hospitals, sheltered housing and prisons.

She is Chair of The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS), is a Trustee of Our Special Friends and is a past Vice President IAHAIO. She co-founded the UK assistance dog programme Canine Partners. She is a Churchill Fellow, is the recipient of the international William F McCulloch award for excellence in human-animal interactions and was UK Veterinarian of the Year 2021.

Dr Rosie Allister, University of Edinburgh

Dr Rosie Allister has received the British Veterinary Association Chiron Award and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Impact Award for work on veterinary mental health. Rosie manages Vetlife Helpline, a 24 hour support service for everyone in the UK veterinary community.

Her research, based at the University of Edinburgh, looks at veterinary mental health, wellbeing at work, and veterinary suicide prevention. She has written and spoken extensively about veterinary mental health in the UK and internationally, has volunteered with Samaritans for 19 years, and advises a number of national organisations on mental health, professional identity, suicide prevention and self harm.

Prof Jo Williams, University of Edinburgh

Prof. Jo Williams leads the Children, Adolescents and Animals Research (CAAR) group and is the Director of the Centre for Applied Developmental Psychology in Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She is a developmental psychologist whose research focuses on children’s interaction with animals and the impact of animals on child development and mental health. Her research is highly applied and involves working with animal welfare and children’s charities to develop interventions to reduce childhood animal harm and promote positive interactions between children and animals.

Jo is currently creating a campus dog programme, Paws on Campus, for The University Edinburgh with colleagues in Clinical and Health Psychology, the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, and international collaborators.

Dr Glen Cousquer, University of Edinburgh

Dr Glen Cousquer spent over a decade working in veterinary practice before choosing to retrain in Outdoor and Environmental Education. He subsequently completed a further MSc in Education Research and a PhD in Human Geography, training that has allowed him to develop a transdisciplinary approach to systems change. His contemplative practice and interests in mental health, interbeing, inter- and intra-connection, systems thinking, professional reflexivity, learning for sustainability, holism and empathy help to inspire new ways of thinking about the roles veterinarians and other professionals can play in respecting who we are and the world we are part of and responsible to.

In 2022 Glen received the RCVS Compassion Award in recognition of his role as Chair of the Campus Mental Health Committee. Glen is currently a Lecturer and MSc Programme Coordinator in Conservation Medicine and One Health at the University of Edinburgh.

Dr Diana Sporle, East Lothian Psychology

Dr Diana Sporle from East Lothian Psychology is a Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered clinical psychologist and has over 22 years experience working in the field of mental health. Qualifying as a clinical psychologist in 2007, Diana has worked in the NHS, the third sector and in private practice. Diana practices across the lifespan, enjoying work with children and adults of all ages.

Diana works in an integrative way, drawing on her training and years of experience to tailor interventions to the individual client to meet their needs and reach their goals. Diana has trained in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) with the Compassionate Mind Foundation and is truly passionate about bringing this approach into work with her clients.