Forensic Veterinarian Abuse Expert Witness

Summary

To utilize my veterinary medical, public health, and forensic background to promote the health and safety of people and animals and to share my knowledge through teaching and publications.

EDUCATION

Master’s of Forensic Science, National University, San Diego, California, December 2009, graduated with honors. Thesis Title: Determination of Animal Law Enforcement’s Capability to Conduct and Manage a Dog-Fighting Investigation and Recommendations for Identified Deficiencies.

Master’s of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, June 1991.
Thesis Title: A Comparative Study of Companion Animal Medical Emergencies.

Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, June 1988.

Bachelor of Arts, Biology major, Chemistry minor, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, June 1983.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Veterinary Consulting – President, Veterinary Consulting Services and training subdivision, Humane Balance Training and Wellness Programs
San Diego, California, August 2001- present.
• Participate with animal shelters, district attorneys, and private attorneys nation-wide in animal cruelty, dog attack, and animal care case investigations as an expert witness.
• Working directly with animal control/shelters on both the administrative side as well as with line staff to improve administrative efficiency and safety for both staff and animals.
• Submit bids in response to requests for proposal released by County and City Departments of Risk Assessment, County Public Health Officers, and local Sheriff and Police Departments to perform departmental (animal control/public safety) assessments/risk analysis, and provide recommendations through written reports.
• Experience in preparing, executing, and timely completion of contract deliverables for governmental agencies (past contracts include the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control, South Eastern Area Animal Control Authority, Sacramento County Animal Care & Regulation, Placer County Animal Services, City of Corona Animal Services, Calaveras County Animal Control, and Mesilla Valley Shelter, New Mexico).
• Contracts awarded involve animal shelter operational assessments, development of Manuals of Policy & Procedure, law enforcement and animal care protocols, administrative functions, and spay/neuter high volume clinic operational assessments.
• Created training division, Humane Balance Training and Wellness Programs. Develop classes (PowerPoint programs, manuals, review materials) for state and local certifications. Provide lead instruction for the following lectures and hands-on practical sessions:
• Animal Care Technician Two-Day Training & Wellness Academy,
• Euthanasia Two-Day Training and Certification (state-approved euthanasia certification in California and New Mexico),
• Emergency Triage for Shelter Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians,
• Conducting Circus Inspections for Animal Law Enforcement,
• Animal Handling Basics and Advanced Classes,
• Veterinary Medicine in Illegal Animal Fighting Cases
• Veterinary Forensic programs
• Professional speaker on animal shelter programs, dog fighting, and veterinary medicine.

Director, San Diego County Animal Control, San Diego, California, May 1999 – July 2001
Administrative Functions
• Manage a $9 million budget for shelter, field and administrative operations for three County animal shelters and one satellite facility.
Shelter and Field Operations
• Shelter Operations consist of humane care and handling of up to 40,000 animals annually. Programs include: early age spay/neuter, identification by microchip implantation, photographs of adoptable animals on the website, mobile adoption programs, rescue- based adoption counselors, and an active volunteer program.
• Lead investigator and expert witness for agency animal abuse/cruelty cases
• Veterinary Medical Services included establishing a Spay/Neuter Outsourcing Program with local veterinarians.

Chief Veterinarian, Department of Animal Regulation, Los Angeles, California, April 1995 – May 1999.
Administrative Responsibilities
• Personnel supervisory responsibilities include 77 employees: two Field Veterinarians, 12 Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT), six Animal Care Technician (ACT) Supervisors and 37 Animal Care Technicians and 20 Clerical staff at six separate shelter sites.
• Manage the Veterinary Medical Division budget of over $4 million.
• Obtain federal licensure and monitor security of controlled substances.
• Serve as an instructor for the training division with the Department for Animal Control Officer and Animal Care Technician classes.
• Participate in humane investigations/cruelty cases, provide written reports and expert witness testimony.

Field Veterinary Duties
• Emergency medical triage and medical care for over 80,000 animals annually.
• Conduct telephonic and physical rounds throughout all shelters.
• Update animal care and veterinary policies and procedures.
• Initiated the early age spay/neuter pre-release program.
• Interact with local veterinary practitioners regarding spay/neuter programs and training, wellness programs, and shelter adoption health checks.
• Participate in humane investigations and associated animal impounds.
Public Relations Responsibilities
• Represent the Department in television, radio, and print media.
• Weekly appearances on KTLA Morning News, Pet of the Week segment for 3 years.

 

ADVANCED TRAINING

• Completion of POST certified Peace Officer Orientation II – Arrest and Firearms Courses, Miramar San Diego Community College, San Diego, California, January 20, 2001. Post Course Control
• Completion of State Humane Association of California Animal Law Enforcement Training, Basic Academy, San Diego, California, August 2000.
• Preventive Medicine Resident, California Department of Health Services, Veterinary Public Health Unit, Sacramento, California, July 1991-June 1992.
• Worked cooperatively with State and Federal Health Agencies.
• Participated in state-wide foodborne and toxic agent investigations.
• Questionnaire Project: Animal Welfare/Public Health & Safety for Sheltering Facilities.

APPENDIX

• Illegal Animal Fighting/Animal Cruelty Cases and Expert Witness Testimony• Cheryl Nolan Animal Law, Tiwary Case, Veterinary Standard of Care, Client Patient Relationship, Humane Treatment, November 2022
  • Cheryl Nolan Animal Law, Lee Case, Veterinary Standard of Care, Client Patient Relationship, Humane Treatment, November 2022
  • Cheryl Nolan Animal Law, Blyden Case, Veterinary Standard of Care, September 2022
  • Dog Attack on Human Case, Nov. 2021 – present
  • Small Claims Court case, Veterinary Medical Records Review, Legal Compliance, Sept. 2021 – present
  • Animal Inflicted Injury Case August 2021 – February 2022
  • Animal Abuse/Cruelty Case May 2021 – September 2021
  • MacDonald Hoague & Bayless, Tim Ford, Esquire, Animal Abuse/Cruelty Case Oct. 2020 – August 2021
  • Pet Nutrition Inc., April-July 2019
  • Dog Fighting Case, Nevada, January 2017
  • Alabama Task Force with The Humane Society of the United States, June 2009
  • Dona Ana County, District Attorney, Dog Fighting Case, April 2008 – 2009
  • Los Angeles County, District Attorney, Dog Fighting Case, January 2008 – October 2008
  • Los Angeles County, District Attorney, Dog Fighting Case, December 2007
  • City of Los Angeles, Office of the City Attorney, Cock Fighting Case, March 2007
  • Louisiana SPCA, Illegal Dog Fighting Case, August 2006
  • San Diego Humane Society, Cock Fighting Case, February 2005 – September 2005
  • Orange County, New York, Dog Fighting Case, February 2004
  • The County of Nye, Dog Fighting Case, Nevada, June 2003

Presentations: Available upon request.

Featured Veterinary Expert in Print Media, Podcast, Video: Available upon request. 

Best Selling Author: Available upon request. 

Honors: Available upon request.