The Western Region Adjudication Event will be presided over by four leading alumni. Each has a broad understanding of the experience of people and pets in our communities as well as the history to judge presentations from the Urban Animal Scholarship nominees:
Jerry Aschenbrenner, Retired, Alumni/Mentor
Jerry Aschenbrenner graduated from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Training Depot as a member of Canada’s national police force and maintained a successful policing career for 21 years. He then began a second career with the Alberta Department of Justice. Working in the court system gave him a broader understanding of the judicial process. After two years in the Justice system Jerry began a third career managing Animal Services for the City of Calgary.
Within a decade, his City of Calgary department became a model for Animal Services across North America. A drive-home program for lost animals, zero subsidies from municipal taxes and the ‘People for Responsible Animal Control’ (PRAC) program were elements of this success. Jerry resisted celebrity status, choosing instead to focus on serving the city that paid his salary. His crowning achievements were opening a modern Animal Services facility and accepting the first annual Summit for Lifetime Achievement from the Alliance for Urban Animals.
Dr. Emery Cyfra, Alumni
Dr. Emery Cyfra has been with Animal Clinic West since it was established in 1981. Cyfra became interested in animals as he grew up on the family farm in Symons Valley, Alberta. Cyfra attended the University of Calgary and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He attended the University of Saskatchewan where he completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree. For many years, Dr. Cyfra was also the Consulting Veterinarian to the City of Calgary Animal Services Dr. Cyfra is a member of the AVMA, CVMA, AAHA, and CAVM.
Cheryl Herperger, Alumni
Cheryl Herperger is a Senior Business Strategist and Team Lead for Community and Strategic Services at Animal & Bylaw Services for The City of Calgary. With the Prevention and Public Awareness portfolio, she is the lead of the Off-Leash Ambassador program. She also has a personal commitment to the program owning four dogs, Golden Retrievers Charlie and Bella and Labrador Retrievers Ginger and Levi. She believes "the walk" is the foundation of the relationships with our dogs and with the community.
Cheryl presented the Ambassador program to Summit 2014 and it is being considered as a National Initiative for the Alliance for Urban Animals in 2015.
Barbara Walmer, Alumni
Barbara is currently the Department Head of Behaviour at the Calgary Humane Society, where she has been since 2002. With more than 15 years experience training dogs, Barbara has established a reputation as one of Canada's leading canine trainers and behaviour experts.
Barbara holds the unique distinction of being one of only four Canadians who has earned the title "Certified Behaviour Consultant Canine - Knowledge Assessed" through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Her many other certifications include: Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT); Tellington TTouch Practitioner-2; and Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Certified Training Partner (CTP).
In 2006, Barbara and her dogs assisted with the media launch of the HomeSafe™ Return to Owner system and establishment of the Alliance for Urban animals.
Jerry Aschenbrenner, Retired, Alumni/Mentor
Jerry Aschenbrenner graduated from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Training Depot as a member of Canada’s national police force and maintained a successful policing career for 21 years. He then began a second career with the Alberta Department of Justice. Working in the court system gave him a broader understanding of the judicial process. After two years in the Justice system Jerry began a third career managing Animal Services for the City of Calgary.
Within a decade, his City of Calgary department became a model for Animal Services across North America. A drive-home program for lost animals, zero subsidies from municipal taxes and the ‘People for Responsible Animal Control’ (PRAC) program were elements of this success. Jerry resisted celebrity status, choosing instead to focus on serving the city that paid his salary. His crowning achievements were opening a modern Animal Services facility and accepting the first annual Summit for Lifetime Achievement from the Alliance for Urban Animals.
Dr. Emery Cyfra, Alumni
Dr. Emery Cyfra has been with Animal Clinic West since it was established in 1981. Cyfra became interested in animals as he grew up on the family farm in Symons Valley, Alberta. Cyfra attended the University of Calgary and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He attended the University of Saskatchewan where he completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree. For many years, Dr. Cyfra was also the Consulting Veterinarian to the City of Calgary Animal Services Dr. Cyfra is a member of the AVMA, CVMA, AAHA, and CAVM.
Cheryl Herperger, Alumni
Cheryl Herperger is a Senior Business Strategist and Team Lead for Community and Strategic Services at Animal & Bylaw Services for The City of Calgary. With the Prevention and Public Awareness portfolio, she is the lead of the Off-Leash Ambassador program. She also has a personal commitment to the program owning four dogs, Golden Retrievers Charlie and Bella and Labrador Retrievers Ginger and Levi. She believes "the walk" is the foundation of the relationships with our dogs and with the community.
Cheryl presented the Ambassador program to Summit 2014 and it is being considered as a National Initiative for the Alliance for Urban Animals in 2015.
Barbara Walmer, Alumni
Barbara is currently the Department Head of Behaviour at the Calgary Humane Society, where she has been since 2002. With more than 15 years experience training dogs, Barbara has established a reputation as one of Canada's leading canine trainers and behaviour experts.
Barbara holds the unique distinction of being one of only four Canadians who has earned the title "Certified Behaviour Consultant Canine - Knowledge Assessed" through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Her many other certifications include: Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT); Tellington TTouch Practitioner-2; and Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Certified Training Partner (CTP).
In 2006, Barbara and her dogs assisted with the media launch of the HomeSafe™ Return to Owner system and establishment of the Alliance for Urban animals.
