DOTR Pet Care Professional Mixer & Guest Speaker Q&A
Date: Friday, October 23, 2026
Time: 5:00–7:00 PM
Location: Dogs On The Run Headquarters
3176 Lionshead Ave, Suite 101, Carlsbad, CA 92010
Event Overview
Join us for an evening of connection, education, and professional development at our next Dogs On The Run PCP Mixer!
This event will give Pet Care Professionals an opportunity to connect with fellow members of the DOTR network, meet our guest speakers, and participate in two engaging Q&A conversations focused on topics that directly impact their work in the field.
Guest Speaker Q&A:
Nancy Gordon — Pet Loss & Grief Support
25-minute moderated conversation + 5-minute audience Q&A
Nancy will share her expertise as a pet loss and grief counselor, with a focus on helping PCPs navigate the emotional side of caring for pets and supporting families through end-of-life and pet loss experiences.
Topics will include:
Understanding anticipatory grief
Supporting grieving pet parents without overstepping
What to say—and what to avoid saying—when a client is grieving
Appropriate etiquette following the loss of a client’s pet
Managing your own emotional attachment and grief as a PCP
Recognizing when a client may benefit from additional grief support and resources
Goal: Give PCPs practical guidance for navigating pet loss with clients while also protecting their own emotional well-being.
Guest Speaker Q&A:
Michelle Hartley — Canine Behavior & Safety
25-minute moderated conversation + 5-minute audience Q&A
Michelle will share her professional insight into canine behavior, body language, and safety, giving PCPs practical tools they can use when working with dogs in the field.
Topics will include:
Recognizing early signs of stress, fear, discomfort, or overstimulation
Understanding behaviors such as barking, pulling, growling, and lunging
Safely handling reactive or challenging dogs
What to do when an unfamiliar or off-leash dog approaches
Recognizing when to create space, change course, or stop a service
Common mistakes PCPs make when managing difficult behavior
Key safety practices every Pet Care Professional should know
Goal: Help PCPs better understand canine body language, recognize escalating behavior, and make safer decisions when handling challenging or unexpected situations.