Our Speakers
We are thrilled to have a great lineup of excellent speakers for the Losing Lulu Summit 2026. Our speakers will be presenting on topics in one of the following categories:
Research into Behavioural Euthanasia
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Caitlin Boyd
When Behaviour Becomes a Life or Death Issue: Understanding Early Mortality Linked to Undesirable Behaviours in Young Dogs
Grieving the Loss
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Ellie Feldmann
When Love Isn’t Enough: Understanding Grief After Behavioral Euthanasia
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Kate LaSala
When Love Means Letting Go: End-of-Life Doula Support in Behavioral Euthanasia
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Sarah Bowen
Sacred Sendoffs: Creative Rituals for Healing Loss
Impacts on Professionals
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Meg Harrison
Compassion Fatigue Is Never a Choice: Recognizing, Preventing, and Responding to Its Impact
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Charlotte Horton
Wilson to Ember: the Shelter Lulu's Who Changed My Life
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Chelsea Hindle
The Impact of Multiple BEs on the Behaviour Consultant
Clients and Professionals Sharing Conversation
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Rene Smith
Myths Surrounding Behavioral Euthanasia
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Kathleen Cooney
Creating a Safe And Welcoming Place and Ceremony During a BE
Behavioural Euthanasia in the Shelter or Rescue
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Erin Fletcher
Being Transparent with Kindness
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Leslie Krieger
The Cost of Compassion
Sarah Bowen
Sacred Sendoffs: Creative Rituals for Healing Loss
Creating sacred sendoffs provides a practical, compassionate strategy for recognizing the profound moral, emotional, and organizational strain of animal-care work, moving through complex grief, reducing isolation, and cultivating healthier support systems—so both people and animals are honored, and teams can sustain their vital work with integrity.
Sarah A. Bowen is an animal chaplain, writer, and educator who teaches interspecies mindfulness practices, helps humans survive the pain of animal loss, and advocates for exploited and endangered species. Through her innovative Animal Chaplaincy Training program, she equips humans to offer profound emotional and spiritual care for all beings in the more-than-just-human world.
Her latest award-winning book, Sacred Sendoffs: An Animal Chaplain’s Advice For Surviving Animal Loss, Making Life Meaningful, & Healing The Planet, was featured as a #1 Amazon New Release in both the Pet Loss Grief and Animal Rights categories. Sacred Sendoffs contains tools for surviving animal loss and mindfully extending compassion to the 8.7 million other species we share this interdependent planet with. She is a columnist on animal/human relationships for Spirituality & Health magazine, and her work has also appeared in Parabola, Tricycle, and Religion Dispatches.
When she's not writing or teaching, you can often find Sarah huddled over wildlife struck by cars, giving them a sacred sendoff. Visit Sarah’s website at http://sacredsendoffs.com
Caitlin Boyd
When Behaviour Becomes a Life or Death Issue: Understanding Early Mortality Linked to Undesirable Behaviours in Young Dogs
This talk explores findings from a large-scale study of young dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England, revealing that undesirable behaviours are a leading cause of early mortality. We will examine which behaviours carry the greatest risk, key demographic factors such as sex and neuter status, and why many affected dogs never receive behavioural referral or treatment. Attendees will gain insight into how early recognition, appropriate behavioural support, and owner education can reduce preventable deaths and improve welfare. The session highlights the vital role in identifying emotional drivers behind behaviour and guiding owners toward humane, effective interventions.
Caitlin holds a Master’s degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare from the University of Edinburgh and a Postgraduate Degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy from the University of Nottingham. She is an accredited dog trainer (APDT UK, #01481) and a member of the Institute of Registered Veterinary & Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP).
She owns Canine Behaviour and Physio Clinic (CBPC), where she works with a wide range of training, behaviour, and physiotherapy cases, and regularly delivers educational talks to pet owners, college students, and fellow animal professionals.
Her specialist area of interest is the intersection between behaviour and chronic pain. The majority of behaviour cases referred to CBPC present with underlying musculoskeletal issues that contribute to or drive the behavioural concerns. With combined expertise in behaviour and veterinary physiotherapy, she is uniquely positioned to identify when pain may be a factor, collaborate with veterinary teams for further investigation, and provide physiotherapy to support dogs diagnosed with musculoskeletal conditions.
Her Master’s research examined early mortality related to undesirable behaviours in young dogs, published as: Boyd et al. (2018): Mortality resulting from undesirable behaviours in dogs aged under three years attending primary-care veterinary practices in England, Animal Welfare, 27(3), 251–262. Learn about Caitlin’s work: https://www.facebook.com/caninebehaviourandphysioclinic/
Kathleen Cooney
Creating a Safe And Welcoming Place and Ceremony During a BE
Creating a peaceful space for euthanasia is always important. Behavior euthanasias deserve extra special attention with calm and a gentle approach that helps everyone feel safe and supported. In this session, we look at preplanning discussions and setting the stage for a drama-free, beautiful passing loved ones will feel comfortable with.
Dr. Kathleen Cooney has been practicing advanced end-of-life care since 2006. She is Senior Director of Medical Education for the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA). Dr. Cooney is well-known for her work in companion animal euthanasia and has authored three books on the subject, along with numerous articles and book chapters. She has collaborated in end-of-life training for the AVMA, AAHA, NAVC, IAAHPC, the Fear Free Program, and many more. She is a strong advocate for best practices in all aspects of end-of-life care and speaks nationally and internationally on such topics. Dr. Cooney is board certified in animal welfare through the American College of Animal Welfare and is an instructor in the DVM program at Colorado State University. Learn more at http://caetainternational.com
Ellie Feldmann
When Love Isn’t Enough: Understanding Grief After Behavioral Euthanasia
Choosing behavioral euthanasia is one of the most heartbreaking decisions a pet owner can face—one often made alone, in silence, and with an overwhelming sense of guilt or failure. This presentation explores the unique and complicated grief experienced by individuals who loved their pets deeply yet had to consider safety, trauma, or unresolvable behavioral issues. We will examine the emotional, relational, and ethical weight of this decision; the shame and isolation that often follow; and the path toward self-compassion and healing. Attendees will gain insight into the psychological impact of behavioral euthanasia, why this grief is often misunderstood or disenfranchised, and how to support themselves or others through a pain that is rarely talked about but deeply felt.
Ellie Feldmann, LCPC, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with extensive experience supporting individuals navigating complex grief, including the unique challenges of pet loss. As a lifelong animal lover and a foster parent to over 300 dogs—many with behavioral or trauma-related challenges—Ellie has firsthand insight into the emotional complexities of caring for animals who push the limits of love and patience.
Her clinical expertise combines trauma-informed mental health care with deep understanding of human–animal bonds, particularly for pet parents coping with guilt, shame, and grief that come with owning a “difficult” pet. Ellie provides supportive services to those who are going through the process of making difficult decisions and coping with those decisions. Ellie helps clients process often-hidden emotions, fostering resilience, self-compassion, and healing while honoring the profound bonds they share with their pets.
A sought-after speaker and advocate, Ellie provides workshops and trainings for animal welfare professionals, veterinary teams, and pet parents, offering practical strategies for supporting those experiencing emotions due to caring for challenging pets. Her work bridges mental health and animal welfare, ensuring that both people and animals receive the compassion, understanding, and care they need to thrive. Ellie’s work can be found at https://www.realsolutions4ucounseling.com/therapy-pet-loss-chicago-illinois
Erin Fletcher
Being Transparent with Kindness
In situations where a behavioral euthanasia decision is made for an animal in shelter, communicating that decision can be difficult and come with a lot of emotions attached. This talk will go over successful approaches when informing others about these decisions to communicate effectively, promote transparency, and above all do so with kindness.
Erin Fletcher has dedicated more than a decade to improving the lives of animals and the people who care for them. Since entering the animal welfare field in 2021, she has specialized in shelter behavior—combining compassion with science to create better outcomes for both pets and their communities. In 2024, Erin joined Operation Kindness as the Animal Behavior Manager, where she leads behavior programs focused on enrichment, rehabilitation, and lifelong success for animals in shelter care.
Erin holds a Diploma in Canine Behavior Science and Technology with a specialization in aggressive behavior from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute (CBST-ABS). She is dual certified through the CCPDT as both a Canine Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA) and Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). Additionally, she is a Certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM), a Fear Free Certified Professional Trainer (FFCP), and holds a Canine Specialist Certificate from Stratford Career Institute.
Driven by a passion for education and collaboration, Erin strives to make the science of behavior accessible and actionable. She focuses on turning complex concepts—like training plans and outcome decisions—into clear, logical steps that empower others to create meaningful, positive change for animals in their care. You can learn more about Erin’s work at https://www.operationkindness.org/
Meg Harrison
Compassion Fatigue Is Never a Choice: Recognizing, Preventing, and Responding to Its Impact
Compassion fatigue is a profound and often underestimated challenge for individuals who devote their personal and professional lives to caring for animals. Compassion Fatigue: Identification, Prevention, & Intervention for Trainers, Rescuers & Shelter Workers provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of the emotional toll associated with animal welfare work. This presentation explores how compassion fatigue develops, its impact on performance and well-being, and the critical importance of early identification. Attendees will gain practical, evidence-informed strategies to build resilience, support peers, and foster a healthier organizational culture. Designed specifically for trainers, rescuers, shelter workers, and other animal care professionals, this session equips participants with tools to protect their emotional health and sustain meaningful, compassionate work.
Meg Harrison is the founder of BlackWing Farms’ Remedies, an author, and a renowned flower essence expert with more than 50 years of experience supporting behavioral and emotional wellness. Her pioneering work blends flower essences, homeopathic remedies, and thoughtfully selected essential oils to help thousands of behaviorally challenged animals—spanning 24 species, including humans—achieve meaningful, lasting change.
Collaborating with health-care practitioners and welfare advocates in 29 countries, Meg’s formulas have demonstrated a remarkable 97% success rate, even in the most complex and emotionally damaged cases. Her remedies have provided critical support during high-stress emergencies, including 19 wildfires, 17 hurricanes, and two F-5 tornadoes, and have delivered immediate relief to thousands of dogs, cats, and horses, as well as animals rescued from hoarding situations, puppy mills, feral environments, and America’s wild mustang populations.
Meg’s passion for transformative healing began in the 1970s, working with teenage alcoholics, and has since grown into a lifelong advocacy for gentle, effective, and enduring approaches to behavioral health. She draws inspiration from Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking research on emotional evolution, the herbal wisdom of Matthew Wood, and the anthropological insights of Margaret Mead.
A respected educator and innovator in her field, Meg continues to champion compassionate, evidence-informed methods that elevate emotional well-being across species. Learn more at http://www.blackwingfarms.com/pages/about-us
Chelsea Hindle
The Impact of Multiple BEs on the Behaviour Consultant
Behavioural euthanasia is a difficult subject for everyone who experiences it, however there is often an added element of professional guilt and "imposter syndrome" when behaviour professionals make the decision to euthanise one of their own dogs.
Chelsea Hindle is a behaviour consultant and dog trainer based in regional Australia. She completed her certificate in dog behaviour and training after adopting a reactive and aggressive young mastiff mix from a council shelter. Since then, she has specialised in working with reactive, aggressive, and anxious dogs, particularly those with disabilities such as deafness and blindness.
She is currently completing a Bachelor of Zoology with the aim of becoming a canine behaviour researcher to further understand the causes and treatment of aggression in dogs.
Chelsea shares her life with a menagerie of animals, including her three beloved dogs, Hugo, Pippin, and Lennox. Learn more about Chelsea https://www.theintellectualcanine.com/
Charlotte Horton
Wilson to Ember: the Shelter Lulu's Who Changed My Life
What happens to the Lulu's in shelter? What impact does these animals have on those who aid in their journey? From the strays with no history the surrenders with concerning history every Lulu leaves an impact on those they encounter.
Four years ago I started working in the veterinary field but I've had pets my whole life. As a college student I lived with my heart dog who was also my service dog who inspired me to work with animals. My first job was working in a shelter environment and I took a special interest in the behavioral cases. Last February I lost Ember who I had adopted from the very shelter I had worked at to behavioral euthanasia. My life in the process of some big changes but I have my wonderful partner, 4 dogs, 1 cat and chosen family by my side.
Leslie Krieger
The Cost of Compassion
Behavior Euthanasia is a reality. This session cuts through the emotion to deliver a pragmatic guide to ethical sheltering. This session will be a discussion focusing on the crucial steps necessary to protect the animal, the community, and the staff who carry out this duty. Steps include establishing a decision matrix to create consistency and objectivity across all behavior cases, reviewing best practices for compassionate logistics, and addressing staff preservation.
Leslie Krieger, CPDT-KA, has over a decade of hands-on experience spanning shelter operations, private veterinary practice, and specialized behavior management. Currently serving as the Behavior and Training Manager at Mountain Humane in Hailey, ID, Leslie has direct operational experience developing and implementing protocols for managing high-risk and unresolvable behaviors. Her work focuses exclusively on force-free, evidence-based training interventions and ethical standards for assessment. Her expertise is grounded in the harsh realities of the field: she has been responsible for making life-and-death Behavior Euthanasia decisions for numerous shelter animals and, personally, for two of her own beloved dogs. Leslie is passionately committed to strengthening staff resilience, and advancing professional standards across the animal welfare industry. Learn more about Leslie here: http://mountainhumane.org
Kate LaSala
When Love Means Letting Go: End-of-Life Doula Support in Behavioral Euthanasia
Making the decision about behavioral euthanasia is heartbreaking. It can feel isolating, full of guilt, judgement, anger, resentment and bring up other feelings of grief. This talk explores what a companion animal end-of-life doula is, how they provide compassionate support, valuable resources and can help you navigate grief and guilt while honoring those beloved animals with love. You are not alone. Your story matters. Your bond matters. Your grief matters.
Kate LaSala, CTC, CBCC-KA, PCBC-A, CSAT, FFCP-E is a multi-credentialed dog trainer and behavior consultant (with more letters after her name than in her name!) who specializes in fear, aggression and separation anxiety cases, helping dogs and their people worldwide with one-on-one remote sessions. She is also a companion animal death doula and pet loss grief companion who helps people navigate anticipatory grief, loss and memorialization with a focus on stigmatized losses like behavioral euthanasia and rehoming.
She is a long-time rescue advocate, former shelter trainer and is vet and shelter/rescue recommended. Kate is a leading expert in animal behavior, behavior modification, companion pet welfare, enrichment and socialization and has been cited numerous times as an expert in media including The New York Times, AP News and The Washington Post.
Kate owns Rescued By Training and actively educates the public, writing a weekly post on behavior and grief topics with corresponding social media content, a weekly newsletter and free downloads on her website. She has also been chronicling her own grief journey after losing her soul dog BooBoo in April 2024, to hopefully help others navigate theirs.
More information at www.RescuedByTraining.com or @RescuedByTraining on social media.
Rene Smith
Myths Surrounding Behavioral Euthanasia
Behavioral euthanasia is one of the most difficult decisions in dog behavior work, yet it is surrounded by myths that distort how the choice is understood. In this talk, Rene Smith explores the role these myths play, how they can block families from processing their dog’s story, and what behavior professionals can do to bring clarity. By reframing the narrative, Rene highlights how educators can support clients through the decision itself and help them carry forward their dog’s memory without stigma.
Rene Smith is a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CCBC‑KA) with nearly a decade of experience specializing in complex dog behavior issues. As a military veteran and parent, Rene brings a practical perspective to problem‑solving and understanding of both human and canine behavior. Their client‑driven approach blends science with accessible tools that fit diverse needs, focusing on clear, realistic steps that make daily life with dogs more manageable. To learn more about Rene, visit http://www.streetdogrehab.com