Dr. Jennifer Bennett is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine and a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator. She has worked as a shelter veterinarian in a wide variety of municipal and private organizations, developing shelter medicine and surgery programs, consulting with humane organizations, leading community outreach and HQHVSN clinics, and working with large-scale humane law enforcement cases.
In-person
Jennifer Scarlett, DVM
As chief executive officer of the San Francisco SPCA, Dr. Jennifer Scarlett is responsible for a number of visionary programs, including a coalition that transformed partner shelters in California’s Central Valley, veterinary outreach to under-resourced neighborhoods, and Shelter PALS, the first no-cost legal service designed to resolve structural, policy-based barriers to improved welfare and outcomes for shelter animals.
Emily McCobb, DVM, MS, DACVAA
Dr. Emily McCobb is a professor of clinical accessible veterinary care, and the PetSmart Charities endowed chair in accessible veterinary care at UC Davis. Prior to joining the faculty at UC Davis, Dr. McCobb was an associate clinical professor of anesthesiology and community medicine at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, where she directed the shelter medicine program and on-campus spay/neuter clinic and assisted in opening a low-cost student training clinic, Tufts at Tech.
Jena Valdez, DVM
Dr. Jena Valdez serves as chief medical officer at the San Francisco SPCA, where she oversees innovative programs designed to deliver affordable, non-judgmental veterinary care.
Bruce Wagman, JD
Since 1992, Bruce Wagman has been using his legal degree to protect and save animals and assist those who care for them—from individuals to the largest international animal welfare groups. His experience in animal law is unparalleled. Bruce runs the San Francisco SPCA’s Shelter Policy and Legal Services program, which provides pro bono legal services to over 100 shelters and rescues in California and engages in policy work and projects aimed at increasing access to veterinary care around the state.
Cynthia Karsten, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)
Dr. Cynthia Karsten serves as an outreach veterinarian with the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, where she mentors students, interns, and residents while supporting shelter medical staff and leadership. Dr. Karsten graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine and completed both a shelter medicine internship at Colorado State University and residency at UC Davis.