Speaker Profiles

Dr Rodney C Straw, BVSc, Dip ACVS
Australian Animal Cancer Foundation

Dr Rodney Straw has over 30 years of experience in veterinary science.  In 1986 Dr Straw commenced speciality training in oncology.  This speciality has seen Dr Straw undertake extensive clinical research in chemotherapy delivery systems, bone cancer, bone allografts and bone morphogenesis.  He has been a member of renowned cancer research groups at Colorado State University which has had a close association with world renowned human and veterinary oncologists and scientists over many years.

Since he established Animal Cancer Care as Australia’s first veterinary oncology service in 1997, Rod has developed strong relationships with radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, physicists and research scientists throughout the nation.  He has also cemented positive relationships with Premion (The Wesley Hospital), Queensland Institute of Medical Research, University of Queensland, Peplin and Engeneic which have led to important and promising collaborative research endeavours.

A world-leading vet with a passion for both animal care and oncology, Dr Straw is also the director of Brisbane Veterinary Specialist Centre and has built and equipped this iconic, purpose built small animal referral hospital.
As the Chairman of the research committee of the Veterinary Society for Surgical Oncology, Dr Straw is at the cutting-edge of advances in animal oncology.  This esteemed international society brings together surgical specialists throughout the world who are trained and involved in surgical oncology at clinical and research levels.

He is has held a number of academic faculty positions and directorships and is currently the Founder and executive Director of the Australian Animal Cancer Foundation.  Dr Straw has also contributed to 11 text books and over 75 refereed publications in scientific journal.

Brad Smith
Corporal
West Covina Police Department – South California
United States of Amercia

Corporal Smith has been a police officer for the West Covina Police Department in Southern California since 1981.  Corporal Smith was a K-9 handler for 20 years and a SWAT dog handler for 18 years.  He is the current National Canine Chairperson for N.T.O.A. and Subject Matter Expert for the California Association of Tactical Officers, C.A.T.O.

A graduate of the P.O.S.T. Master Instructor Development Program who for his Master Instructor Project, designed and implemented the first and only P.O.S.T certified K-9 SWAT School in the State of California, SWAT & K-9’s Interacting During Deployment School (S.K.I.D.D.S.), and Canine Tactical School (CATS).  Corporal Smith specializes in field tactics and officer safety.  He has published several articles for a wide variety of publications on K-9 Swat Deployment and training and is also the owner of Canine Tactical Operations and Consulting.

Mark Sandford
Sergeant
New Zealand Police Service

Mark is the breeding services manager for the New Zealand Police Dog Section and is responsible for breeding, puppy  development and population  management. He has worked three police dogs in patrol, detector and tactical roles. In 2002 he became an instructor at the NZ police dog training centre, training teams in patrol, detector and tactical deployment. Mark became interested in what made a good German Shepherd dog for Police work which has lead to an in-depth knowledge of the GSD's world breed lines. In 2004 Mark became the breeding services manager and has focused on breeding dogs from proven working lines, improving puppy development programmes, and invested in the science of breeding through personal study and work with Massey University Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical sciences. Recently the section passed it's goals and is now 90% self sufficient in the supply of dog stocks from the breeding programme.

Trevor Berryman
Sergeant
Victoria Police Service

Sergeant Trevor Berryman commenced duty with the Victoria Police Service in 1981.  In 1988 Trevor joined the Police Dog Squad and completed his general duty training course.  In 1994 Trevor conducted the general purpose courses.  On being promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1997 Trevor served at a inner city police station before returning to the Dog Squad in 1999.

Trevor has handled both general purpose dogs and narcotic detention dogs operationally.  He has also managed the portfolios of Narcotic Detention, Firearms & Explosives Detection and is currently the Manager of General Purpose training.

Most recently Trevor was the Coordinator of the Police Dog Response Unit to the Victoria Bushfires.

Dr Anna Galloway
BVSc (Hons), MACVSc (radiology)

Dr Anna Galloway graduated BVSc (hons) from the University of Queensland in 1981.
After a few years in small animal and mixed practice, Anna joined the staff of the
University of Queensland (UQ) as a small animal clinician.  She started working in
veterinary imaging in 1986 as a university tutor and gained MACVSc (radiology) in 1988. 

Anna continued working in imaging at UQ as a radiology registrar and in 1992 spent extended study leave in USA, developing ultrasound skills in North Carolina, Colorado and California.  Since 1993 she has continued to work part time in imaging at UQ apart from a locum at The Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, UK in 2005. 

Anna is also a membership examiner for the Radiology Chapter of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists on five occasions and Radiology Chapter president 1999-2002. 

Anna received a grant from the Canine Control Council (Q) Breeders Research Fund for a study titled “Comparison of Penn HIP” and The Australian Veterinary Association Hip Dysplasia Schemes for Evaluating a Population of Australian Dogs”.  Over the last 2 years over 112 dogs (including 10 German Shepherds from the Queensland Police Dog Squad) have been involved in the study, gaining simultaneous Penn HIP and AVA scores.

Michelle Fischer
Supervisor
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
 
Michelle Fischer has been employed at the Customs National Breeding and Development Centre since 2003.

She is currently the Supervisor and oversees 12 staff responsible for the breeding and development of over 150 labrador puppies per year.

Michelle has been a Customs Officer for 16 years working in many different areas including an active drug dog handler in Melbourne for 6 years.

Brendan Gibson
Inspector
New Zealand Police Service

Inspector Brendon Gibson is the head of the New Zealand Police Dog Section.  As the National
Co-ordinator: Police Dogs, he is responsible for national practice relating to the training, deployment and management of police dogs in New Zealand.  Brendon began his career in front line policing then as a detective in Wellington.  His last 25 years has been in the dog section as a Handler, Instructor, OC Dog Training Centre and now National Coordinator.

Peter Martin, APM
Assistant Commissioner
Queensland Police Service

Peter Martin is a career police officer having served with the Queensland Police Service for nearly 30 years. 

He was promoted and appointed to his current position as the Assistant Commissioner, Ethical Standards Command in early 2008.  Previously he was the Operations Coordinator at Metropolitan North Region which has operational responsibilities for the Central Business District and a large area to the central and north of Brisbane areas. 

Mr Martin has also served as District Officer, Brisbane West District (2005-2007); Chief of Staff to the Commissioner of Police (2000-2005); and the Officer in Charge of the Drug and Alcohol Coordination Unit (1996-2000). 

Mr Martin has an Executive Masters in Public Administration and also has a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Administration.  He is currently undertaking a PhD studying in the area of the police role in reducing drug and alcohol related harm in and around licensed premises. 

Mr Martin was awarded the Australian Police Medal on Australia Day 2008