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DIRECTOR CHRIS SCHINDLER
When you ask Chris Schindler how he came to lead the MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement department, he’ll tell you it all started with a dog. “It was my first week as an animal caretaker,” Chris recalled. “An officer came in with a dog from a cruelty case. She was emaciated, and I’d never seen anything like it. I didn’t even know there were officers who did this kind of work. I knew right then this is what I wanted to do.” That one moment in time set Chris on a nearly three- decade career in animal protection, spanning roles in Maryland, Washington, DC, national animal welfare organizations, and now at the MSPCA-Angell in Boston. Along the way, he’s investigated everything from animal fighting to large-scale neglect cases, trained law enforcement on animal cruelty protection across the country, and helped develop community programs that keep people and pets together. “I’ve always believed in looking at the whole picture,” he said. “Yes, some situations require prosecution. But often, helping someone get resources they need can prevent animals from suffering in the first place.”
DEPUTY DIRECTOR JAMES HANLON
With more than 36 years in law enforcement, Jim Hanlon found his perfect calling at the MSPCA-Angell, combining his lifelong love of animals with his dedication to public service. He investigates cruelty and neglect cases, often working alongside local authorities to ensure that animals are removed from unsafe situations and provided with the care they need. While some cases are heartbreaking, Jim also sees moments of compassion, where struggling pet owners simply need support and resources to help them through their challenges. What drives him is the chance to protect animals, help people, and create a more humane, compassionate community every day.
OFFICER MARTHA PARKHURST
Ask Martha Parkhurst how she became an animal law enforcement officer, and she’ll joke, “Besides a momentary lapse of reason?” However, the truth is that the work feels destined. Growing up surrounded by pets, she inherited her love of animals from her parents and earned a degree in animal science before joining the MSPCA-Angell in 1992. Since then, Martha has investigated countless cases of cruelty and neglect, always balancing enforcement with education. Whether rescuing animals from unsafe conditions or helping families care for pets at home, she believes her work comes down to this: helping animals means helping people.
OFFICER NADYA CIULLA
For as long as she can remember, Nadya Ciulla has felt called to protect animals. Growing up surrounded by pets, she developed a deep compassion early on, and later discovered she could merge that love with her interest in law enforcement. It wasn’t an easy path, and landing her role at the MSPCA-Angell took years of persistence. But more than two decades later, Nadya has helped countless animals and people through her work. From rescuing animals to testifying in court, her goal is always the same: to protect, prevent, and keep families together.
SGT. WILLIAM LOISELLE
With over 35 years of experience in law enforcement, Sergeant William Loiselle has always sought to “speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Each morning, he has coffee in his MSPCA-Angell mug with bulldog, Chelsey, by his side, and he is reminded of the mission he serves. No two days are alike: he may guide an officer through an investigation, advise a horse owner, or connect a family with resources to keep their pet. Whether in a pasture, a city, or a courtroom, Sergeant Loiselle’s focus is always on animal welfare. “The work never ends,” he says. “But the mission keeps me going.”
ANIMAL WELFARE AGENT BRITTANY KEENAN
As a child, Brittany Keenan was glued to TV shows about animal law enforcement. Today, as an Animal Welfare Agent, she’s living her dream and protecting animals and supporting the people who love them. For Brittany, the MSPCA-Angell mission is twofold: seek justice for animals while giving owners the tools to be responsible companions. Some days, she makes calls to the cruelty hotline and helps rescue a neglected animal, while on other days, she delivers food and supplies to families in need. The work can be tough, but rescue animals like Jobee, Coco, and Sage, who made miraculous recoveries, inspire her every day.
DISPATCH MANAGER MEAGHAN O’LEARY
If you’ve ever called the MSPCA-Angell’s Law Enforcement department, there’s a good chance Dispatch Manager Meaghan O’Leary was the one who answered. With a background in criminal justice and 16 years at Nevins Farm, she brings both expertise and compassion to every call. One day she may hear from a pet owner in need of food or supplies, another from a veterinarian whose client can’t afford treatment, or a neighbor worried about an animal’s safety. Meaghan listens, guides, and connects, drawing on her shelter experience and the MSPCA-Angell network. “Knowing I’ve made a difference,” she says, “keeps me going.”
OFFICER CHELSEA WEIAND
Animals have always been at the center of Chelsea Weiand’s life. From growing up with pets, riding horses as a child, and working in veterinary clinics, to earning degrees in both equine management and criminal justice, her path naturally led her to the MSPCA-Angell’s Law Enforcement Department in 2011. Today, Chelsea’s work is a blend of investigations, court cases, and community support, whether rescuing animals from unsafe conditions or connecting pet owners with resources they desperately need. For her, every thank-you, every second chance, and every animal helps reaffirm why this work matters so deeply.
OFFICER MELANIE JOURNET
From rescuing stunned birds to guiding turtles across busy roads, Melanie Journet has always had an instinct to help animals. With degrees in criminology and psychology, she found her calling at the MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement department, where she now covers more than 50 towns investigating cruelty and neglect. Her work spans from urgent field calls to connecting pet owners with resources, always balancing compassion with justice. What keeps her going are the moments of transformation, seeing an animal safe, healthy, and loved again. For Melanie, every mile driven is a chance to change a life.
