Animal Control Officers Conference NY
Huge Event for all ACO, Shelter, Law Enforcement & Related Fields
Professional Conference
September 28 & 29 2026
THIS EVENT IS ALL ABOUT YOU!
FINALLY.......AN EVENT AND VENUE THAT RESPECTS YOU AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS YOU MAKE TO OUR SOCIETY
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Set to be the largest gathering of NY Animal Control Officers ...............Ever!
Important & informative subjects relevant to the job you do. Hear from a host of professionals and experts on subject matter relevant to the Animal Control Officer working in New York State.
Excellent and rare opportunity to meet and engage in meaningful dialog with experienced professional ACOs from other areas.
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​Establish valuable connections and resources.
Share ideas.
Develop support networks.
Increase your skill set.
Conference venue is the beautiful and prestigious Albany Marriott Hotel on Wolf Road in Colonie, the most important business district in the Capital District area. This huge venue will host the conference speakers who will have state-of-the-art visual and sound systems available to them provided by top professionals in the industry. The Albany Marriott Hotel is minutes from the Albany Airport. Shuttle Service available. A limited number of rooms are blocked with a special rate for conference attendees. Book early for the special rate.
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Included in the conference registration fee is a fabulous Albany Marriott lunch ......both days.
Please join us for the September 28 optional buffet dinner and program! You won't want to miss this dinner! The dinner program is available for an additional fee. A great opportunity to make new friends and reconnect with those we haven't seen in a while. We are planning some additional fun for that dinner. More later........
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We expect some excellent vendors at this event.... A rare opportunity to see products, equipment and tools that will help you do your job and keep you safe. Meet some important providers of services and information at the education tables
A framing-ready certificate awarded to Animal Control Officers who successfully complete the two-day conference.
It is OVERDUE
The Animal Control Officers need a statewide not for profit organization. It is not as difficult to establish as you may have thought. There are many benefits to a statewide organization and what better time to start than with an in person meeting of ACOs from all over the State. Let's explore the steps to achieve this. If you are interested in taking a leadership role in establishing an organization bring your ideas with you. This is an opportunity to get this thing rolling.
Your presenters......
FROM CALIFORNIA
co-host of
Keep It Humane, The Podcast
Daniel Ettinger
Daniel Ettinger began his career in animal welfare in 2009 as a volunteer at a wolf sanctuary and animal shelter, where he discovered a passion for serving both animals and the people connected to them. Today he is a speaker, trainer and leader in the field of animal control and sheltering, known for challenging the status quo and equipping professionals with practical tools to better serve their communities.
With experinece spanning nonprofit organizations, municipal agencies and law enforcement, Daniel brings a well-rounded and real-world perspective to his work. He has supervised teams of animal control officers, animal care staff and administrative professionals, and understands, firsthand, the complexities and pressures of the job.
As an instructor, Daniel focuses on helping people help animals--emphasizing sound decision making, accountability and building systems that actually work for both public safety and humane outcomes. As part of this work, he is founder of the:
CERTIFIED ANIMAL CONTROL PROFESSIONAL (CACP) program focused on advancing professionalism and training within the field. His work often explores the intersection of animal welfare and broader social issues, including the link between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence.
Daniel is the co-host of KEEP IT HUMANE; THE PODCAST, where they challenge perceptions of animal welfare and highlight the evolving role of professionals in the field.
We are pleased to welcome.. from Cornell University Forensic Pathology
Dr. Alina Demeter is an Assistant Professor of Anatomic Pathology at Cornell University, the director of the anatomic pathology residency, and a Founding Fellow in Veterinary Forensic Pathology. Dr. Demeter earned her DVM in Bucharest, Romania, and following a year of clinical practice she continued her studies, pursuing a PHD in Budapest, Hungary. She did her anatomic pathology residency training at Cornell University, followed by a neuropathology fellowship. During this time, she gained extensive training in forensic pathology and fulfilled the requirements for Founding Fellow in Veterinary Pathology.
Rensselaer County District Attorney
Mary Pat Donnelly
Mary Pat Donnelly has served as Rensselaer County District Attorney since January 2019. Prior to her election, Ms. Donnelly was employed for over 20 years by the Office of Court Administration as an Associate Court Attorney in Albany City Court. From 2006 until 2012 Ms. Donnelly was also counsel to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Town of East Greenbush.
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In November 2012, Ms. Donnelly was elected Judge of the East Greenbush Town Court. She presided over thousands of cases before resigning to commence her successful run for District Attorney.
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Ms. Donnelly is a 1997 graduate of Albany Law School. Immediately after law school, she was admited to practice in the State of Vermont and served as a Deputy State's Attorney for Bennington County before her return to New York State.
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District Attorney Donnelly recently served as the President of the District Attorney's Association of the State of New York.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION
Likely one of the important presentations you will ever attend.
Experts from the New York State Department of Transportation will be presenting!
This information may save your life!
TRAFFIC INCIDENT MANAGEMENT involves EVERY Animal Control Officer.
Be prepared to safely handle a roadway incident!
Animal Control Officers are in need of procedures, equipment and training in this extremely important area of the job.
How many need it? .... ALL of them! How many have it? .... None of them!
New York State Office of Mental Health
Office of Prevention and Health Initiatives
Jon S. Rice, NYS Licensed Clinical Social Worker-R, provides Restorative Practices training and consultation through the New York State Office of Mental Health's Office of Prevention and Health Initiatives. He integrates his passion for restorative practices, and his trauma focused clinical experience to support wellness and healing across the lifespan. He received his Bachelor of Social Work degree from Cornell University, and Master of Social Work degree from the University at Albany. He has been serving children, families, and the community for 40 years in roles such as trauma focused Therapist; School Social Work Services Supervisor; Neighborhood Center of Utica, NY Playground Director/Group Worker; youth sports coach; Community Action Housing and Community Services Division Director; as well as Habitat for Humanity Board VP and volunteer. He has provided Restorative (Justice) Practices training over the past 25+ years across domains: the early care through aging services workforce; higher education students and faculty; family caregivers; SNUG violence prevention/intervention (In-Credible Messengers), and animal welfare.
Vicki Smith Grandin
Vicki Smith Grandin earned a BA in Anthropology and then a MA in Education from the State University of NY at Albany. The first half of her career was spent in industry and the 2nd half in higher education.
All during elementary school, high school and college, her hero was Jane Goodall. Since flying to Africa and settling down in one of the local primate communities was not an option, she decided to stay local, love the animals that were close by and learn as much as she could
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Over the years, she has had experience with 14 different dog breeds, purebred and mixed breed cats, 3 different horse breeds, parakeets, and one very big boa constrictor.
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Her dog experience includes agility, obedience, rally, conformation, tracking , trailing, therapy dogs, lure coursing and Search and Rescue, specifically cadaver dog training.
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Her club memberships include the New England Toy Dog Club, Hudson Valley Chihuahua Club, the Spinone Club of America, the Scottish Deerhound Club of America and the Saratoga Kennel Club where she was a member of the Board.
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She taught 4H Obedience and has been a presenter at multiple Meet The Breeds, BOCES, Continuing Education and most recently, at the AKC Museum of the Dog in NY City.
As the owner of certified Therapy Dogs, she made regular visits to local nursing homes, elementary schools, colleges, private homes and hospice.
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Over the years, every single connection she made with breeders, trainers, students, colleagues, veterinarians, and the public was a gift for outreach.
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Vicki looks forward to continuing to learn from every animal she meets and using her knowledge to encourage new, beneficial human/animal relationships.
Presenting Together...Two Noted Experts
Pennell Hopkins
​​My compassion for animals is inherent. Hiding an injured skunk under my bed when I was 4 years old, rescuing a Great Horned Owl, choosing understanding in lieu of physical discipline with my pony, I felt a spiritual affinity for nature's way. ​ When I learned there was no enforcement at the notorious New Holland slaughter horse auction, I decided it would be my job. ​ Fortunately, the Executive Director of Pennsylvania SPCA agreed with me when I asked him to create that job.
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I honed my knowledge of equine and livestock health with the help of veterinarians, respected horse owners, seminars and self-study.​My passion for animal welfare propelled me into the national spotlight and involvement in national organizations. ​ I remain a steadfast volunteer for an organization which works internationally for animal welfare. Accolades, though, do not motivate me. Action in the trenches is what creates change.
Shannon Celeste
Shannon Celeste began her work in animal welfare in 2000, focusing on equine rescue and rehabilitation. She served as a large animal agent's assistant--essentially an unpaid employee for the Pennsylvania SPCA, where she supported humane officers and law enforcement in cruelty investigations. Her organization Double L Stable Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, rehabilitated numberous horses for state agencies while also conducting private rescue work. Many of the animals she cared for where part of active cruelty cases, requiring meticulous documentation and evidence handling.
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Four four years, Shannon assisted a now-retired PSPCA Large Anima Agent in monitoring the New Holland Sales Stables, ensuring the fitness and welfare of equines being sold there. In 2004, she relocated Double L to Washington County in upstate New York to expand the farm and increase capacity. The rescue grew into a full program, adding a sanctuary for non-adoptable equines while continuing its rehabilitation efforts.
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Over the next decade, Shannon developed community focused programs that welcomed high-functioning adults with disabilities , at- risk youth, and individuals completing community service through the county drug court program. These initiatives ran for more than twelve years before the barn entered a hiatus. Double L operated for 25 yeas in total; its final resident a 32 year old mustang mare who had been with the rescue for 11 years, passed away in 2025.
Shannon earned her certification as an Animal Cruelty Investigator through the University of Missouri Law Enforcement Training Institute's P.A.C.E. program, completing the first fully remote cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, she has served multiple municipalities in Washington County, NY as both an Animal Control Officer and Dog Control Officer.
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She regularly attends professional training through NYS Agriculture and Markets and has participated in the NYS Veterinary Conference hosted by Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine since 2023. She has accumulated more than 127 continuing education credits, finding the coursework invaluable when assisting residents seeking guidance about their pets. In the early 2020s, she was qualified by the court as an expert witness in equine rescue and rehabilitation during a large-scale neglect case.
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Shannon's love for horses began in preschool the moment she saw her first horse. She has ridden for enjoyment her entire life, preferring trail riding and multi-day camping trips in the mountains of Pennsylvania over the show ring. She has owned Saint Bernards for 30 years and currently shcares her home with Perar., a rescued Dalmation found abandoned on the streets of Staten Island at about a year old. Over the years she cared for a wide range of animals -from reptiles to pigs to horses and mules.
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She is mother of two sons, Adam of New York and Eli of Montana, and the proud grandmother of two young granddaughters who are already following in their Nonna's equine-loving footsteps.
Shannon currently resides in Washington County NY where she maintains a fully equipped quarantine setup for equine intake.
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Edward Ashley Drone Pilot
Edward Ashley (Drone Pilot), an Army veteran, former paramedic of 13 years. He is currently a Police Officer for the past 14 years. Ed began flying drones with the East Greenbush Police Department's Drone Unit in 2020. Since that introduction into drones, Ed has gone on to build his own racing drones and compete against pilots from around the world.
Ed has formed and educated a high school drone club at Columbia High School. In December of 2025 he acquired his own Thermal Drone Equipment and began offering Search and Rescue services for lost pets. In the first 6 months, offering lost pet services, Ed has helped successfully locate and rescue 22 lost pets.
Ed holds FAA Waivers for operations beyond visual line of sight, ops over people & moving vehicles and has navigated complex airspace restrictions around busy airports including Albany, Schenectady and even LaGuardia Airport in New York City.
Trish Marki
The Wildlife Institute of Eastern NY
Silent Wings
SILENT WINGS RAPTORS REHAB and EDUCATION is a program of the Wildlife Institute of Eastern New York. The Institute is an IRS 501 (c) 3 non profit organization. The goal of our programs is to increase environmental awareness of children and adults alike by introducing them to some of the ecosystem....raptors or "birds of prey."
Andrew Fiumano
With more than 15 years of experience and a NACA ACO 1, Andrew is a veteran of the Humane Law Enforcement and Animal Service fields. He has previously served in leadership roles with local SPCAs and law enforcement agencies, and is a NYS DCJS certified General Topics and Firearms Instructor. Andrew is currently the Director of Humane Law Enforcement for the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society and oversees a team of Peace Officer/Investigators who cover Albany and Rensselaer Counties.
Speakers and Presenters
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​As additional presenters are confirmed they will be added to the site.
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Adjustments will be made as needed to the scheduling of the presenters
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​As we get closer to the dates for the conference spaces will be filled.
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The subjects will be of interest to all working in the animal control fields.
RIGHT NOW YOUR input would be appreciated.
Is there a subject YOU would like to know more about?
Spaces are intentionally being held open for YOUR preferences.
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Is there a particular speaker or presentation that you would like to see included in this conference?
Please call the Conference Chair: Catherine J. Crawmer
518-487-4564 or email with your comments or questions TrainEmAll@aol.com
EXPERT PANELS
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New and/or innovative ideas and the exchange of information is useful to all! If you are attending the conference, would you be willing to sit on one of the panels to tell others
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What you are doing and how you are managing in your department and within your municipality?
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What is working, what is not?
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Ideas on how to make improvements in these areas of concern?
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​THE CAT PANEL
THE LOCAL LAW PANEL
Credit card fee is included in price​
TO REGISTER AND PAY CLICK ON RED BOX ABOVE
Hotel reservations are available at a reduced rate ONLY through the special website set up for the ACO conference by the Albany Marriott Hotel.
When the reserved block is full the room rate goes to the normal hotel room fee.
Book your hotel BEFORE SEPT 10th!
All Attending Must Agree to Registration Stipulations:
Cancellations with refunds of the conference fee (which includes lunches) are available until August 25th
After August 25th There are NO REFUNDS
​All conference registrations are for ONLY the 2-day event on Sept 28 & 29 2026.
No single day registrations available.
DISCOUNT FOR EARLY
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT
Now to July 31st $251.13
August 1st to August 25 $281.76
NO registrations accepted after August 25th
​The Dinner Buffet & Program is optional and has a separate charge of $99.
Dinner Buffet is LIMITED to 250 participents Save your spot early!
No refunds are available on dinner registrations after August 25th
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Register for conference online with credit card. Snail mail registrations must be check or money order ONLY
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​​Attendees are expected from all areas of NY State and beyond.
This is a very large venue, however, if capacity is reached you will be notified and refunded. Book early!
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No dogs at this conference unless part of a registered presentation.
No sales or distribution of material without prior authorization.
NO outside food or drink is allowed outside personal hotel rooms
This event is brought to you by Animal Event Pros LLC
Animal Event Pros LLC was created to address the needs of people working in professional animal related fields, those who are competing in animal related sports and volunteers working in animal related non-profit organizations. Our goal for this conference and the events that will follow is to create events that will be productive, interesting and fun for all attending. The events will be different in many aspects to events you may have previously attended. This is not an accident. After a lifetime in animal related fields, the dedicated organizers of Animal Event Pros LLC are committed to raising the bar on venue, subject matter, presentations and experiences for those attending these events.................Catherine J. Crawmer