Cassandra L. Reyes, Ph.D., is an associate professor of criminal justice at West Chester University (WCU). Prior to joining WCU in 2009, she worked for more than 13 years as a New Jersey State Senior Parole Officer-Bilingual and Probation Officer-Bilingual; an Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police Student Dispatcher; and an Indiana County (PA) Jail Correctional Officer. In her volunteer work, she currently holds positions with several organizations, including Humane World for Animals Policy Volunteer; New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police Bicentennial Lodge #76 Vice President; Keystone Link Coalition University Stakeholder; Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties Faculty-at-Large Member; and Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Trustee-at-Large. In the spring of 2010, she developed the first known criminal justice animal cruelty course in the US. Since then, she has taught more than 1,000 students in that course. Her research, driven by her passion for animals, has also led to several publications, including three editions of the book Animal Cruelty: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Understanding.