America's best animal control officer can be found in Stratford.

Rachel Solveria was selected as the 2018 employee of the year by the National Animal Care and Control Association.

One of her accomplishments was organizing a program that gives every dog that is brought to the animal shelter obedience training.

"She is not just thinking about our job day to day, like the calls we do, but embracing and helping the community and it's animals," says animal control officer Angelique Fitzmorris.

The 13-year veteran was nominated for the award by her colleagues. She traveled to Colorado to receive it.

"I'm really living my passion and my dream," Solveria says. "This is something I feel like I was born to do."