St. Puppy’s Day is the event that celebrates you and what you do. This year we have an excellent lineup of pet care community experts, including:
Dr. Monica Bentley is a highly experienced veterinarian with over 20 years in the field, specializing in surgery, internal medicine, and theriogenology. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, she holds both a Bachelor of Animal Science and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
Now based in southwest Missouri, Dr. Bentley is passionate about serving her community and promoting proactive pet care. At this year’s St. Puppy’s Day, she’ll be joining Dr. Oxford for a thoughtful panel discussion on Prevention vs. Treatment—a conversation exploring how early veterinary care and preventive strategies can reduce long-term health challenges and costs for pet owners.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Bentley enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, cheering them on at basketball, baseball, and softball games.
Dr. Bill Oxford holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Southern Nazarene University and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Oklahoma State University. With decades of experience, he currently practices general veterinary medicine and surgery, with a specialized focus on population and kennel medicine. Dr. Oxford is a proud member of both the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA).
Passionate about animal health and breeder education, Dr. Oxford brings both clinical expertise and practical insight to every conversation. At home, he’s a dedicated dog dad to his two Yorkies, Smalls and Lil’ Bit, and his Golden Retriever, Troller. When he’s not in the clinic, you’ll find him cruising on his motor yacht or enjoying the freedom of the open road on his motorcycle.
At St. Puppy’s Day, Dr. Oxford will join Dr. Monica Bentley of Pawsitive Care Veterinary Clinic to co-present “Prevention vs. Treatment in Kennels”—a timely and practical discussion for today’s breeders.
Matt Rold has worked for the Missouri Department of Agriculture for 25 years. He began as an inspector for the Division of Animal Health, was made their first statewide investigator in 2005, and became manager of the Animal Care Facilities (ACFA) Act Program in 2009.
Missouri’s Animal Care Facilities Act ensures the health and welfare of dogs and cats in breeding kennels, boarding kennels, animal shelters, and pet shops throughout the state. The ACFA Program employs 12 inspectors, 2 veterinarians, 2 investigators, and 1 admin. Mr. Rold is responsible for the day-to-day management of the program, its policy decisions, and its records. Mr. Rold has a B.S. in Animal Science from Northwest Missouri State University.
Sandy Moore is a nationally recognized leader in the pet industry with over 30 years of experience in aquatics, sustainability, policy, and organizational growth. In July 2025, she was named CEO of the Pet Advocacy Network, where she now leads the national voice for responsible pet ownership and the professionals who support it.
She began her career at Segrest Farms in 1992, eventually serving as President and leading the company through significant growth to become the world’s largest distributor of live fish. She also helped establish Best Management Practices that are now widely used across the industry.
In addition to her executive leadership, Moore has served on numerous national and international boards and committees, including:
Honors & Recognition:
Sandy is widely respected as a strategic and values-driven voice in the pet industry, known for uniting stakeholders across science, policy, and business to advocate for the animals—and people—who make up this community.
Chris Herndon brings over 33 years of experience in the retail pet industry. A second-generation pet professional, he began working alongside his father in 1992 and helped open Pet Aquatic Warehouse in 1997, where he continues to play a key leadership role. Since becoming General Manager in 2020, Chris has overseen all aspects of store operations, including puppy program management, pricing, paperwork, and customer service.
While Chris takes great pride in managing the store’s puppy program and supporting customers in finding the right companion, his personal passion has always been aquatics. A dedicated aquarium hobbyist, he has spent years building his expertise in aquatic species, systems, and care — bringing the same level of commitment and curiosity to the fish side of the business as he does to puppies.
Chris Herndon brings over 33 years of experience in the retail pet industry. A second-generation pet professional, he began working alongside his father in 1992 and helped open Pet Aquatic Warehouse in 1997, where he continues to play a key leadership role. Since becoming General Manager in 2020, Chris has overseen all aspects of store operations, including puppy program management, pricing, paperwork, and customer service.
While Chris takes great pride in managing the store’s puppy program and supporting customers in finding the right companion, his personal passion has always been aquatics. A dedicated aquarium hobbyist, he has spent years building his expertise in aquatic species, systems, and care — bringing the same level of commitment and curiosity to the fish side of the business as he does to puppies.
Deb Turcott is the Owner and Principal of ORIANA Solutions, a national strategy consulting firm that blends visionary thinking with practical execution to help businesses grow and adapt through change.
In the latter half of her career, Deb has brought her expertise to the pet and veterinary industries, working with organizations such as the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, PetSmart Charities, and many others across the sector.
Raised on a small farm in New Hampshire, Deb now lives on a ranch in north-central Florida with her husband. Their lively home is shared with two Mini Dachshunds (Eleanor and Franklin), a Great Pyrenees named Dunkin, two horses, and twelve donkeys.
Stacy Mason is a third-generation dog fancier and the first to serve as an AKC Senior Breeder Field Representative. Her career spans a wide range of experience, including work as a veterinary technician, small animal dietitian, professional dog handler and trainer, grooming shop owner, and AKC-licensed judge.
She has trained dogs in search and rescue, cadaver detection, agility, rally obedience, tracking, and protection work. After retiring from law enforcement in 2004, she joined the American Kennel Club as an investigator and inspector, officially becoming a Senior Breeder Field Representative in 2006.
In addition to her AKC work, Stacy regularly attends breeder education events across the country—often speaking, hosting booths, and engaging directly with the community. One of her favorite parts of the job is visiting with breeders one-on-one, and she’s proud to call many of you friends.
Check back soon for more exciting details!
There’s a lot to look forward to at St. Puppy’s Day 2025
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