Alba graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999 and worked in private practice until 2006, when she founded the Rascal Unit, a mobile high-quality high-volume sterilization and wellness clinic traveling throughout the State of Ohio providing accessible and affordable care to underserved areas. Alba has always had a passion for criminology and forensics and, during her work with shelters and at-risk populations, she found the opportunity to assist in animal neglect and cruelty investigations. In 2017, she obtained a Master’s degree in Veterinary Forensics from the University of Florida and in 2022 she completed a Master’s in Forensic Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. She has worked with local and national humane organizations in cases of animal hoarding, neglect, dog fighting, starvation abuse, and cruelty. More recently, Alba has been working with local animal advocacy organizations to speak in favor of stronger laws to protect animals and the community, such as puppy mill laws and mandatory reporting laws. She also created a podcast, The Animal Welfare Junction, to share animal welfare and forensic topics. The Animal Welfare Junction is part of the Keep it Humane Podcast Network .
“This Animal Law program will help me become a better advocate for animals both in the courts and with law makers. I have seen firsthand the gaps in animal protection laws and how animal cruelty is linked to interpersonal violence and other crimes. I hope to be a part of the change towards improved animal welfare and a safer community, and I hope that my veterinary forensics’ background will be a great asset in the field of animal law.”