Amanda Audia, PMP, CBCC-KA, SBA, Director of Strategy and Operations, BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital 

Amanda first discovered her passion for animal welfare during her first dog training job at the age of sixteen. Working for a small doggy daycare that also provided housing and adoption for rescue dogs, Amanda found herself conducting behavior evaluations and integrating reactive dogs into playgroup and fell in love with the power of science-based, humane training methods rooted in improving the human-animal bond.

After dabbling in veterinary medicine and animal control, Amanda began working for the Connecticut Humane Society (CHS), overseeing the Behavior & Training programs in all three locations. During her time at CHS, Amanda pursued a master's degree in Companion Animal Behavior and Counseling through American College of Applied Sciences. Seeking warmer weather, Amanda moved to sunny Florida in 2014 and began working for the Humane Society of Pinellas as the shelter's Director of Operations, helping bring new programming to the organization such as behavior and training, surrender prevention, capacity for care, and open adoptions. 

Amanda is currently serving as the Director of Strategy and Operations with BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital, but continues to fulfill her passion for welfare by sitting on several nonprofit governance and advisory boards, pursuing a master's degree in Nonprofit Management at the University of Central Florida, and fostering herding dogs (because what dog trainer doesn't love a little crazy?). 

In her spare time, Amanda enjoys gardening, playing piano, and spending time with her husband, Steve, son Anderson, and Australian Cattle Dog and cancer-survivor Matilyn, also known as "Good Girl."