Judy’s Bio
Judy O’Brien is a Belleville girl who’s love of animals became apparent at a very young age – her mother has jokingly told people that Judy’s first words were not “mama or papa” it was “DOG.”
3 cats – Jewel a black and white cat adopted from the Kingston Humane Society – Judy rescued Jewel as a kitten from a hoarding situation, fostered her and adopted her into her family in 2006.
Fergus a domestic short haired was fostered by Judy – he was the only kitten who survived from his litter at the Peterborough Humane Society – during his stay Judy applied his bum medication each morning and often refers to him as “sore bum kitty,” His feisty attitude and survival made him a definite O’Brien Family Member – adopted in 2014.
Isabella was adopted in 2017 from the Chatham/Kent Ontario SPCA who was suffering from Upper Respiratory Infection – Judy saw her at the animal facility took her to her motel room while she was assisting at the shelter –Isabella is now an O’Brien.
Her senior girl Mini Schnauzer Franny – who originally became a family member because Judy’s better half works with autistic adults and schnauzers are good at reading people with special needs.
Clint Eastwood – my 2 year old Male Mini Schnauzer became a family member in 2015 because he captured Judy’s heart and his name sake is her favorite all time movie star and director -- “do you feel lucky” and yes I am very lucky.
Last but not least my hound dog “Willard” he was originally fostered by Judy – adopted from the Peterborough Humane Society. When I was the executive director – off and on Willard became a fixture at the society because his previous owner had legal issues – Willard was very stressed at the shelter and started hanging out in Judy’s office and then started coming home with her at night – low and behold Willard is now a O’Brien and I love him more than anyone can love a family member. Willard is also a Facebook sensation…lol!
One of my favorite sayings is “speaking for those who can’t speak for themselves,” this has really impacted me throughout my life. My passion to help others has inspired me to learn, work hard, and treat others the way I would want to be treated.
Through hard work, reliability, passion, knowledge and skills I have worked my way up in Animal Welfare Organizations and Social Service Agencies:
- Executive Director of the Kingston Humane Society
- Acting Centre Manager of the Ontario SPCA Lennox & Addington Animal Centre
- Centre Manager of the Ontario SPCA Lennox & Addington Animal Centre
- Regional Manager Ontario SPCA
- Special Project Manager Ontario SPCA
- Peterborough Humane Society Executive Director – the Ontario SPCA loaned Judy to the Peterborough Humane Society for 2 years to run their day to day operations and to Oversee their 9.5 million dollar new shelter build that is in partnership with the Ontario SPCA.
- Executive Director of Quinte Destinations For Youth.
- Area Manager for the Ontario Lung Association in Kingston and Belleville Ontario.
Judy’s innovative ideas, energy and willingness to help other animal welfare agencies has inspired her to develop and implement a Group called TEAMWORK –“TEAMWORK” is made up of Animal Welfare Individuals from across Ontario! These people volunteer their time and unconditionally come together to do wonderful things for other Humane Societies that need a helping hand. TEAMWORK’s first project was working on renovation projects in order to improve the environment for the Quinte Humane Society and the animals in their care.
My talents for business, management, innovative ideas, ability to develop continued professional relationships with people made me uniquely qualified to develop and implement my own business “Peace of Mind Pet Sitting and Home Care Services.
Judy has also acquired the following knowledge and experience through the following training:
- ASPCA – SAFER TRAINING
- MEET YOUR MATCH CANINE - ALITY AND FELINE-ALITY
- REPTILES AND EXOTICS HANDLING AND CARE
- ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND HANDLING
- ANIMAL HEALTH AND CARE
- CANINE ENRICHMENT
- FELINE ENRICHMENT
- DISEASE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
- HEALTH PRO (FELINE AND CANINE)
- PET FIRST AID AND CPR CERTIFICATION
- STRESS MANAGEMENT
- BUILDING RESILIENCE IN DOGS
- EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND PLANNING
