About Pattie Zeller

August 2001 to present, Owner & Pack Leader of Animal Connection LLC
September 2016 - January 2023, Creator and Host of “What’s Barking Local,” a live show on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and ITunes
December 1991 - September 2017, CEO of All Points Technical Consulting (Industrial & Automotive Battery Design)
June 1985 - July 2001, Creative Director of Boden Associates Advertising, Design & Marketing

2021 World Pet Association & Pet Product News Overall Retailer of the Year
2021 Best Of Cville Finalist: Best Store With A Dog, Best Podcast (What’s Barking Local)
2021 Daily Progress Readers Choice Finalist: Best Boss, Best Benefits, Best Work Culture, Best Pet Grooming, Best Pet Store, Best Entrepreneur
2020 Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce Pivot Award, For successfully adapting to pandemic challenges
2020 Award by the City of Charlottesville for Small Business Excellence and Development, $5,000 prize for expanding a business and establishing the Pet Community Free Food Pantry
2019 Pet Product News Retailer of the Year for Social Media and Marketing
2019 Pet Business Magazine Retailer Excellence Award for Internet Marketing
2017 Pet Product News Retailer of the Year for Holistic Approach to Pet Products
2017 “America’s Coolest Pet Store” by Pets+ Magazine

Panel Speaker, August 2021 SuperZoo Show Education, “What’s New In Nutrition? Get The Scoop From Our Experts”
Panel Speaker, May 2020, “Creative Ways to Keep Customers Shopping During Covid,” presented by Pets+ Magazine
Panel Speaker, May 2020 with Facebook Marketing Team, presented at University of Virginia Darden School of Business
Panel Speaker, November 2019, Pets+ Wellness Summit, “Not Every Customer Wants To Feed Raw Food”
Panel Speaker, March 2019, Global Pet Expo, “Winning Secrets From Retail Excellence Award Winners”

Facebook Live Guest, March 2021, WhizBang Retail Training Marketing Club, “Featured Retailer Interview”
Podcast Guest, March 2020 “Wag Wear Repeat” with Tori Mistick
Podcast Guest, July 2020 “Behind The Pages” with Keith Miller, Pets+ Business Magazine
Podcast Feature, September 2020 “Animal Connection & Charlottesville Community” with Jerry Miller, “I Love Cville Show”

Pet Product News International, June 2021, “Assortment Optimization: Cast A Wide Net”
Pet Product News International, February 2021: Contributed to “Merchandising: Bring the Outdoors To Your Store”
Pets+ Business Magazine, January 2021, Contributed to “How Indie Pet Stores Are Celebrating And Selling Valetine’s Day”
Pets+ Business Magazine, January 2021, Contributed to “Dear Distributor, Indies Send Love Notes To Their Favorites”
Pets+ Business Magazine, November 2020 “Consider Design and Shelf Appeal Before You Stock Your Store, It May Increase Your Product Sales!”
Pets+ Business Magazine, October 2020 “Drink Up! A Unique Way To Promote Your Business!”
Pets+ Business Magazine, August 2020 “Is It Time To Refresh The Look of Your Branding?
Pet Business Magazine, April 2020, “Animal Connection Profile: Creative Marketing in Pet Retail”
Pet Product News International, April 2020, Contributed to “Peak Performance in the Cat Litter Category”
Pet Product News International, October 2019, Contributed to “Raw Food Continues To Gain Ground”
Pet Product News International, October 2019, “Industry Voices” Thoughts on Raw Food Safety
Pets+ Business Magazine, June 2019 “Create Connections: A Dog Festival Attracts Crowds of Thousands”
Natural Pet News, Fall 2018, “Natural Advocates” Store Interview

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