Field Forward in Waco: Advancing Animal Care & Control Together
In February 2026, leaders and practitioners from across the country came together in Waco, Texas, for NACA’s Field Forward workshop, a dynamic training and assessment event focused on strengthening the profession of animal care and control from the ground up.
At a time when community expectations are evolving, and field services face increasingly complex challenges, Field Forward delivered an opportunity for thoughtful dialogue, practical learning, and real-world problem solving. It wasn’t just another workshop; it was a deep dive into what it means to professionalize field work in animal services in Waco, TX. For two full days, NACA worked alongside Animal Protection officers to understand how the team truly operates — through observation, ride-alongs, interviews, and collaborative workshops. The goal was simple but powerful: identify what’s working, clarify what’s not, and build a roadmap forward that is grounded in reality.
Field Forward begins in the field.
Ride-alongs allowed NACA to observe day-to-day operations – how calls are dispatched, how cases are documented, how officers make decisions in dynamic environments, and how technology and policy support (or hinder) efficiency. Seeing the work firsthand ensures that any recommendations are rooted in operational truth, not assumptions.
Process Mapping: Current State to Future State
During the workshop portion, the Animal Protection Officers did the work themselves.
Using structured process mapping exercises, teams laid out their current state workflows, from intake to resolution, identifying:
- Bottlenecks & redundant steps
- Gaps in communication & critical staffing
- Policy inconsistencies
- Technology friction points
Through facilitated discussion and a structured SWOT analysis, the group examined strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats impacting field operations. From there, the team collaboratively built future state process maps, designing a more streamlined, accountable, and effective model of operation.
The result … a roadmap built by them, for them!
One of the defining elements of NACA’s Field Forward program is that solutions are not imposed from the top down. Officers and supervisors bring lived experience to the table, and their insights drive the redesign.
When field professionals are empowered to evaluate their own systems:
- Buy-in increases
- Accountability improves
- Practicality is ensured
- Culture strengthens
The energy in the room reflected something important. When given space and structure, field teams are ready to lead change. Process improvement is not only about efficiency, but it’s also about sustainability. By identifying workflow pain points and clarifying expectations, Field Forward also supports officer wellbeing. Clearer systems reduce frustration. Improved communication reduces conflict. Realistic process design helps prevent burnout.
In a profession that is emotionally demanding and highly visible to the public, sustainable systems are a mental health strategy.
As the two days concluded in Waco, the team walked away with:
- Documented current and future state maps
- Clear priority action steps
- Defined ownership for the next phases
- A stronger shared understanding of operations
Field Forward is designed to create meaningful, lasting change, not through theory, but through collaboration, assessment, and officer-led innovation.
“Our experience with the Field Forward process was truly eye-opening for our team. It challenged us to take an honest look at our internal processes and clarify our goals. The facilitators provided thoughtful, constructive feedback along with a valuable national perspective on best practices, which helped us see beyond our day-to-day operations and identify opportunities for improvement. Most importantly, our team left feeling empowered, aligned, and optimistic about our path forward.” Melissa Sheldon, Director of Animal Services City of Waco
Waco demonstrated what is possible when agencies commit to examining their systems honestly and building a path forward together. Thank you, Waco, Texas! We know great things are ahead for you, and we appreciate you allowing NACA to be part of your journey!
