Field Forward is a first-of-its-kind initiative in animal care and control—designed specifically for field services and built from the ground up to address the real operational challenges agencies face every day. Unlike programs adapted from other professions, Field Forward was created exclusively for animal services, combining national best practices with direct input from officers, supervisors, and leaders across the country. This is not something that has been done before in our profession—it is a new model for strengthening field operations through collaboration, data, and practical application.

Field Forward is delivered as a two-part program – Assessment and Process Improvement Workshop –ensuring agencies move beyond recommendations and into measurable, sustainable change.

Phase One: Operational Assessment

Experienced NACA partners with your agency to develop a clear, authentic understanding of current operations. Through ride-alongs, staff interviews, policy and data review, and workflow observation, we evaluate how services are delivered in real time. This phase identifies strengths, uncovers barriers, and highlights opportunities across response, communication, documentation, resource use, and community engagement—grounding all findings in the realities of the field.

Phase Two: Facilitated Process Improvement Workshop

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certified NACA instructors will lead an interactive, officer-driven workshop that brings teams together across ranks and roles. Unlike traditional top-down training, Field Forward places the expertise of your personnel at the center of the process. Participants map workflows, identify practical solutions, and build a clear roadmap for improvement that reflects their agency’s needs, capacity, and goals.

The result is more than a report, it is a shared strategy for moving forward. Agencies gain stronger internal alignment, increased staff buy-in, improved communication, and actionable changes that can be implemented immediately and sustained over time.

Interested in bringing Field Forward to your community?

We invite you to connect with NACA to learn how this program can support your agency’s next step forward. Reach out to us to start the conversation.