Who We Are
Dogs for Better Lives (DBL, formerly known as Dogs for the Deaf) is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit with campuses in Central Point, Oregon and Falmouth, Massachusetts. DBL rescues or breeds, trains, and places Assistance Dogs free of charge with deaf or hard-of-hearing adults, children diagnosed with autism, and licensed professionals working with vulnerable communities so people with disabilities can lead safer and more independent lives.
We believe that everyone who can benefit from a Service Dog should have one, by offering dogs at zero cost to eliminate financial burden on our clients. To remove barriers for those can’t travel to our campuses, we place our dogs in the client’s home – offering a more personalized placement and training experience. Since 1977, we have placed more than 1,700 dogs with people across the United States. Each dog has made a profound impact on the life of the person they were placed with.
Dogs for Better Lives is one of the few national Assistance Dog organizations that trains shelter dogs to become Service Dogs – in addition to utilizing purpose-bred dogs. We support every dog who comes into our care with a lifetime commitment to them and their client. Every decision is rooted in their wellbeing as we make sure our dogs are fulfilled and doing work they’re suited to do.
Our History
Dogs for Better Lives was founded in 1977 by the late Roy G. Kabat, and is the oldest provider of Hearing Assistance Dogs in U.S.
Roy worked with exotic and domestic animals for movies and television and had a small traveling circus. After retiring to the Applegate Valley in southern Oregon, he was contacted by the American Humane Association and their headquarters in Denver, Colorado.
A Deaf woman in Minnesota had owned a dog that trained itself to let her know when sounds were occurring in her home. As she lost more of her hearing, her dog alerted her to more and more sounds. After her beloved dog died, the woman realized how much she had come to depend on the dog and began a search for someone to train a new dog for her.
The American Humane Association initiated experimental work trying to train dogs to help people who were Deaf, and they contacted Roy for advice. After spending two weeks in Denver, Roy returned to Oregon and began Dogs for the Deaf.
Our first location was outside Jacksonville, Oregon, then moved in 1989 to our current 40-acre site at the base of Lower Table Rock in Central Point, Oregon.
In 2017, Dogs for the Deaf was renamed Dogs for Better Lives.
We opened our Northeast Campus in 2022, located in East Falmouth, Massachusetts.
Where We Are
As a national nonprofit, Dogs for Better Lives (DBL) is comprised of regional campuses and satellite offices across the United States. Currently DBL’s West Coast Campus is located in Central Point, Oregon, which includes our breeding program, Assistance Dog training, puppy raiser/breeder caretaker programs, and many administrative staff.
In May 2021, DBL acquired property in Falmouth, Massachusetts, which is now the organization’s Northeast Campus. The facility includes Assistance Dog training and Puppy Raiser Program.
Satellite offices are currently located in California, Washington State, Ohio, New Hampshire and Texas.
West Training Campus tour
Northeast Training Campus tour
Why We Do It
At Dogs for Better Lives we believe it’s an honor to be a part of something bigger than ourselves and we’re impassioned with what we do. Operating as a team, we put the mission above the individual, trusting in one another to break through challenges and obstacles to maintain our mission of bettering lives by matching people with the amazing dogs we train.
How We Do It
Continuing to be thoughtful stewards of our donor’s dollars, we’re proud to share that 100% of every dollar raised goes towards programmatic services. Administrative and fundraising expenses are fully funded by our endowment, specifically the annual interest earned from it, made possible by the past generosity of our Guardian Society members.
Learn more about our dogs, heroes, and supporters
Our Mission:
Dogs for Better Lives’ mission is to professionally train dogs to help people and enhance lives while maintaining a lifelong commitment to all dogs we rescue or breed and the people we serve.
Our Values:
Care for the dogs
by keeping their wellbeing (physical, emotional and mental) at the root of all decisions.
Care for clients
by providing our services with kindness, compassion and patience.
Care for donors
by being responsible stewards of our “donor dollars” through mindful and conscientious use of company time and money.
Our Commitment:
Dogs for Better Lives prides itself on being fiscally responsible, fully transparent, and is a top-rated 4-star nonprofit with Charity Navigator, ten years running.
Learn more about our financial commitment to our clients and donors in our Financial Report and Annual Report.
100% Funding:
100% of Your Donation Supports Programmatic Services. Learn more here.
Sustainability Matters:
We’re reducing our carbon pawprint, we support our local communities, and we manage our organization by following our mission and values. Learn more.
Say hello to your Dogs for Better Lives team
Bryan Williams became Dogs for Better Lives’ fourth President and CEO in August 2018. Prior to DBL, Williams was Canine Companions for Independence’s (CCI) Southeast Regional Executive Director in Orlando, FL since 2016.
During his time at CCI, the region achieved record-breaking placements including hearing dogs, significantly increased revenue, welcomed a new Chapter to the region, and unveiled and implemented a plan to improve campus grounds. Bryan is passionate about analytics and metrics, introducing several operational dashboards. He also served on the national Strategy and Systems Team which focused on improving business processes. Prior to CCI, Bryan was the Executive Director of the Community Foundation of South Lake (Clermont, FL), a nonprofit which focuses on providing leadership to enhance the quality of life in South Lake County by identifying community needs and seeking philanthropic support to meet those needs.
Preceding the Foundation, he worked as the Development Director and then CFO for Halifax Humane Society (Daytona Beach, FL), a nonprofit that exists to protect animals from cruel, neglectful and exploitative treatment.
Bryan and his wife Rachel have three young children and are looking forward to exploring southern Oregon and the Pacific Northwest as a family.
Gwen brings more then 29 years of service dog industry experience to her role at Dogs for Better Lives. Gwen graduated from the University of Akron with a BS and MS in geology/comprehensive science. After graduation, Gwen moved to Columbus, Ohio to begin her career with an oil company but soon discovered the joy of volunteering in the Service Dog industry at Canine Companions. Volunteering quickly turned to employment and Gwen was hired as kennel supervisor in June of 1994.
Since that time, Gwen progressed into different positions including instructor and puppy program manager. In 2001, Gwen became the program director at a time when this role encompassed both the training manager and program director roles. Gwen’s proudest accomplishment to date was the opening of Canine Companions' North Central campus in 2020 of which she was instrumental in the design and fundraising.
When asked “what do you love about service dog work?” Gwen answered, “Making a difference and changing futures. Whether it be supporting a volunteer in their role of raising a puppy, seeing the impact of a dog on a client’s life, or watching staff develop and grow as the importance of this work becomes a part of them. These experiences change lives, and I am fortunate to play a small part.”
When not at work, Gwen enjoys kayaking, hiking, walking her German Shepherds, roller coasters, disc golf and just spending time with her two sons and fiancé whenever possible.
Sara Ifert is a marketing professional with over 20 years of experience in a variety of industries, including tech and nonprofits. She wore many hats while working in multiple tech start-ups, which allowed her to grow her skills and launch several creative marketing strategies.
After years in the tech space, she wanted to find more meaning in her work and found a home in the nonprofit space. Prior to Dogs for Better Lives (DBL), she led marketing for a national lung cancer organization where she helped grow fundraising for lung cancer research and focused on telling the stories of lung cancer survivors in an effort to break down the stigma with the disease. She also worked at the Center for Healthy Minds helping to communicate the emerging research on meditation, well-being, and mental health.
Joining DBL was a natural fit for her, because she has a strong desire to help people and dogs. Dogs have always been a central part of Sara’s life. She is committed to rescuing dogs through her local rescue where she has fostered multiple dogs and manages their website. Sara lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her boyfriend and her little rescue dog, Ruby. In her free time, she loves creating art, hiking, biking, and getting outdoors.
Sarah McCracken is a graduate of Penn State University where she earned Bachelor of Science Degrees in Psychology and Rehabilitation Services. Sarah joins Dogs for Better Lives with more than 10 years experience within the Assistance Dog industry. She began her career as an Assistance Dog International (ADI) accredited service dog instructor and spent the last 5 years as the Program Director for Canine Companions for Independence's South Central Region.
During her time as Program Director, Sarah oversaw the construction of their brand-new facility in the South Central Region as well as established and maintained program operations for the region. Under her leadership, the region was able to surpass all yearly placement and operational goals and also implemented a new PTSD program that provided assistance dogs to Veterans.
Sarah is a Massachusetts native and recently moved back to the area with her husband Travis and their two dogs, Bowen and Karmen. Outside of DBL, Sarah enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors by kayaking, paddle boarding and hiking.
Harvey Potts joined Dogs for Better Lives (DBL) in 2016. With more than 20 years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector, Harvey oversees philanthropic programs nationally, for DBL. Harvey received his Bachelor of Arts in European History and Masters in Environmental Education and Planning from Pacific Lutheran University.
Prior to joining DBL Harvey worked in senior managerial positions within several national nonprofit organizations, including Restore America’s Estuaries, National Wildlife Federation, and Washington’s National Park Fund. Earlier in his career Harvey worked internationally, serving a 3-year term with the U.S. Peace Corps in Poland, working in Bialowieza National Park (second oldest national park in the world to Yellowstone), overseeing their first-ever national grant funding program.
Outside of DBL, Harvey enjoys trail running and peak bagging our PNW volcanoes and is engaged with several nonprofit boards including Rogue Valley Family YMCA. Harvey and his Weimaraner pack (5), along with various livestock, reside on his mountain ranch in southern Oregon.
Meagan Steahly has been the Finance Director at Dogs for Better Lives since September 2018. Prior to that Meagan was the Finance Manager, a position she had held at DBL since 2015. Previous to DBL, Meagan had spent ten years in finance management within the medical industry. Meagan received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southern Oregon University.
Meagan always wanted to help her community, so joining DBL was a desirable transition. She grew up hearing about Dogs for the Deaf and the impactful difference the national nonprofit has on hearing clients, among others and knew that she wanted to join their team. Meagan sees her contributions as part of something bigger, bettering dogs and their client’s lives every day. For several years, Meagan fostered one of DBL’s demo dogs, Keen, who is still a special rescue dog in her life.
Meagan grew up locally in beautiful Rogue Valley, where she met her husband Kenny, in elementary school. They enjoy spending their free time traveling, being on the water, and spending time with friends and family. Meagan and Kenny live on a hobby farm in the Applegate Valley with their animals and in November of 2018, welcomed their first child, their son Finn.
Trish Welch is a graduate of Oregon State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise and Sport Science. She worked in the fitness world for nearly 10 years as a Group Fitness Instructor, Exercise Specialist and Fitness Director.
Looking to further express her passion for serving people, Trish made a career change to the non-profit sector by becoming the Executive Director of The Arc Jackson County, For People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. During her 20 years at The Arc, Trish led the development of new programs and services unique to the area as well as other parts of Oregon and the United States. One of her signature community events was the creation of Live to Dance with The Arc Stars – an evening showcasing the talents and abilities of people who experience disabilities, while educating the local community that people who experience disabilities are no different from you and her.
Trish currently serves as a member of the Rogue Valley After Five Rotary Club. In her free time, she enjoys a variety of indoor and outdoor activities such as traveling, fishing, camping, golfing, water sports, and spending quality time with her rescue dog Floyd and close friends. Trish, along with her husband Jim, have three children – the oldest two are now attending her alma mater.
Tom Dobry grew up in West Michigan and fell in love with the Pacific Northwest after graduating from college. Since then, he and his wife raised a family while relocating across the country a few times between Detroit, MI and the Rogue Valley.
Tom is the Chief Marketing Officer for Lithia Motors Inc., one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers operating dealerships across the U.S. Prior to joining Lithia, Tom practiced branding and regional marketing at advertising agencies BBDO and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners. Tom has a B.A. in Advertising from Michigan State University and a M.B.A. from the University of Oregon.
Throughout his career, Tom has served a variety of non-profit organizations. “The commitment of the Dogs For Better Lives team to their clients and their dogs is impressive. I’m eager to support them to help even more people.”
Tom and his wife have three children and a German Shepherd named Nala. “I’m amazed by the symbiotic relationship between people and dogs and I believe we’re just beginning to understand the full benefits of these partnerships.”
Garrett West is an Oregon lawyer specializing in appellate litigation and property law. He grew up in Southern Oregon and is an active member of the local community. His family owns a Jack Russell Terrier named Gromit and a cat named Nala.
Garrett received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Georgetown University Law Center, where he served as an Executive Editor of the Georgetown Environmental Law Review. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classics, Political Science, and History from the University of Oregon’s Robert D. Clark Honors College, where continues to be active in supporting the mock trial team and forensics program.
“DBL is a forward-thinking organization that is actively working to transform the way that persons with disabilities and dogs interact with the world,” said Garrett. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of such a cutting-edge program and to help change lives. I am committed to ensuring both its growth and long-term success.”
Stacie has been involved with Assistance Dog programs since 2015 and a volunteer with Dogs for Better Lives since 2020. She has served on the Regional Advisory Board as Chair of the Pacific Northwest Chapter for DBL, supported the Puppy Raiser Program, and was placed with DBL Facility Dog, Filbert, in 2022. Stacie is a Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist and works alongside Filbert as a team in adult and children’s hospitals. She has also Puppy Raised for Guide Dogs for the Blind with a recent puppy now an active guide dog in Canada.
Stacie brings more than ten years of experience in the animal health industry and is the Project Manager for Covetrus, a global animal health company, in North America Strategic Partnerships. She oversees critical EBITDA generating projects focused on the execution of commercial strategy and operations. Prior to Covetrus, Stacie was with VCA Animal Hospitals managing operations and training projects and Merial, now Boehringer Ingelheim, in veterinary field sales territory management. She holds a B.S. in Animal Science from Purdue University.
In her free time, Stacie and her husband enjoy hiking and traveling with their two dogs, DBL Facility Dog, Filbert, and Border Collie, Briggs. They enjoy volunteering in the community and are a military family, her husband active duty in the Coast Guard. They will soon be relocating from Portland, OR to Washington, DC.
“It’s an honor to serve on the Board of Directors as Dogs for Better Lives expands and to be a part of an innovative program creating life-changing partnerships between dogs and people. Seeing the impact Facility Dog, Filbert, has in hospitals and in the community is profound and I hope to continue to contribute to DBL and the Assistance Dog field for many years to come.”
Stacie joined DBL's Board of Directors in January 2023.
Matt Brannon was born and raised in Seattle (WA) but has spend much of his career moving to different cities throughout the country. One of which was Memphis, TN where Matt and his wife Rachel adopted their dog Brynn. Matt and his wife love to travel, enjoy the outdoors, and visiting our national parks. Matt is currently pursuing his MBA at the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. Matt’s undergraduate education was completed at Azusa Pacific University with a BA in Business Administration. Matt has gained his professional experience at the manufacturing company, Parker Hannifin Corporation.
Matt has held roles in in sales, marketing, and operations of different manufacturing facilities during his time working for Parker Hannifin. Some of his experiences includes working with customers to expand business opportunities, optimizing process plans, and improving manufacturing efficiency. Matt and his wife currently live in Issaquah, WA with their dog Brynn and two tabby cats Orville and Wilbur.
“The opportunity to contribute to an organization like Dogs for Better Lives is an amazing opportunity to learn how the organization is utilizing dogs to impact lives,” stated Matt. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to utilize my professional experience where possible to help out at this amazing organization.”
Matt joined the national board as a board fellow in June 2024.
Dr. Joshua Broadwater was born and raised in the small coal mining town of Lonaconing, Maryland. He attended the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where he studied biology and graduated with highest honors. Dr. Broadwater then attended veterinary medical school at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
After graduation, Dr. Broadwater completed a one- year rotating medicine/surgery internship at Florida Veterinary Specialist in Tampa, FL. He then completed his 3-year ophthalmology residency at the Animal Eye Specialty Clinics of South Florida. Dr. Broadwater remained in Florida for 9 years before returning to his “second home” in North Carolina in 2016. Dr. Broadwater is currently a veterinary ophthalmologist at Charlotte Animal Referral & Emergency, where he has a special interest in corneal disease and surgery, cataract surgery, and glaucoma surgery.
In his spare time, Dr. Broadwater enjoys playing baseball, hiking, and traveling. He has visited over 40 countries. He also plays piano and enjoys spending time with his wife Jana and their dog Zoey.
Dr. Broadwater enjoys doing volunteer work for many types of wildlife and marine life centers. In Florida, he performed eye surgery on animals such as sea lions at SeaWorld, giraffes at Lion Country Safari, and sea turtles at several rehabilitation centers. In North Carolina, he volunteers his time with the Carolina Raptor Center to help birds such as owls, bald eagles, etc. with various eye diseases/injuries.
“I’m excited to be a part of this great organization,” stated Dr. Broadwater. “I have been extremely impressed with the mission of DBL and the people involved with this group. I hope that I can bring a unique perspective to DBL and help in any way possible to further advance the goals of the organization.”
Dr. Broadwater joined Dogs For Better Lives’ national Board of Directors in April 2023.
Tim is the Director of Finance and Administration for the Department of Ophthalmology at University of Washington School of Medicine. He has worked in medical school administration roles for more than twenty years.
“I believe in the mission of Dogs for Better Lives and its ability to engage with different groups and provide needed services,” stated Tim Cibula. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with this excellent organization and look forward to watching it grow.” Tim’s longtime love of dogs, passion for the critical work nonprofit organizations endeavor on, and his desire to help create an impactful difference, make him a great fit for the DBL board of directors.
The Cibula family lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Sherry and Tim Cibula have three kids: Joe, Ben, and Clare, all of whom are in college currently. The family enjoys camping and hiking together in the Pacific Northwest. They recently lost their beloved Trixie, a Blue Heeler / Border Collie mix who herded them for thirteen years.
Tim Cibula joined the Dogs For Better Lives’ Board of Directors in July 2020.
Cindy Culbertson brings an exceptional track record of leadership and expertise in data science, finance, and technology, honed over a distinguished career at some of the world’s leading companies.
Currently, Cindy is the Director of AET’s Data Platform, Science, Analytics, Communications, and Content at Amazon, a position held since April 2021. In this role, Cindy oversees teams that are pivotal in enabling data-driven decisions and implementing data science solutions across Amazonian Experience & Technology products and services. Their work is integral to transforming critical business data into automated products, planning, and operational reporting, enhancing Amazon’s operational efficiency and product innovation.
Prior to this, Cindy demonstrated financial leadership as the CFO and Global Head of Finance for various sectors within Amazon, including Amazon Global IT, AWS Managed Services, AWS Support, Alexa Shopping, and Digital Services and Consumable Goods. These roles underscored Cindy's ability to manage large-scale financial operations and guide strategic financial planning in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Cindy also has a rich background in information security and internal audit, having served as the IT Director for Global Information Security and the Director for Internal Audit for Global Financial, Operational, and IT Systems at Mary Kay Inc. This experience is complemented by Cindy’s earlier tenure at FedEx in Real Estate Investments and significant roles in investments and financial services at Goldman Sachs, Abbott Laboratories and Arthur Andersen.
With a passion for leveraging technology and finance to drive positive change, Cindy is excited to contribute to Dogs for Better Lives. Cindy’s expertise in data-driven strategy, financial stewardship, and commitment to innovation will be invaluable in advancing our mission to enhance the lives of people and dogs.
“Joining the board of Dogs for Better Lives was a decision driven by my passion for making a difference using my skills in technology and finance,” stated Cindy. “The organization’s innovative approach to training and placing Assistance Dogs, free of charge, with those in need resonates deeply with my commitment to service and efficiency. I am inspired by the opportunity to support their mission of empowering individuals with disabilities through the companionship and assistance of these remarkable dogs.”
Cindy Culbertson joined the Dogs For Better Lives’ Board of Directors in November 2023.
Born and raised in Sandwich, Illinois, Stephanie grew up with a love for animals and the outdoors. Growing up, Stephanie spent most of her summers camping, fishing, hiking and exploring nature with her family. Early on, Stephanie discovered that she had a skill for the creative arts, drawing, painting and crafts. This interest led her to pursue an education in Graphic Design where she explored various forms of media art as well as Business management.
After moving to Las Vegas, NV in 2002 to be closer to family, Stephanie became a mom to sons Steven (20) and Nicholas (17). Raising two boys Stephanie’s home was nothing short of a zoo -- from dogs to reptiles, rodents and birds most of which were rescue pets. While in Las Vegas, Stephanie volunteered for Nevada SPCA, Peoples First of NV (a local non-profit dedicated to enabling and empowering adults with disabilities to become more independent), as well as an event volunteer and foster pet parent for smaller Non-Profit Rescues where she found a calling as protector and advocate for rescue dogs specifically bully breeds.
In 2009 Stephanie began her career with U.S. Bank, as an “accidental banker” a term fondly used by the organization for team members who never planned a career in the banking world. Stephanie found her natural inclination towards finance and customer experience and her passion to lead, teach and inspire others. She fast tracked her career growth and development earning a Branch Manager position for the Las Vegas Market in 2012. Since then Stephanie has been instrumental in the career development of many others and has found a way to merge her creative side with her banking career.
From 2017 to 2022 Stephanie spent time as Branch Manager and Employee Engagement Lead after relocating to Grants Pass, OR. Here she spearheaded local initiatives focused on new business development and growth, creating programs around employee engagement as well as co-creating and piloting the district’s leadership development workshop.
Stephanie has since continued to grow in her career with U.S. Bank and has recently relocated to the Knoxville area. Stephanie and her husband Dan are now settled in rural Tennessee on 30 acres of farmland with their rescue dogs, Jenny, Lilly, Bronx and recent addition, a 3-month old blue heeler puppy named Dixie. When Stephanie is not leading her branch teams or networking with the local business community in the city she is tending to her farm where the family keeps an apiary and raises Nigerian dwarf dairy goats and chickens. The Deines family also care for their growing herd of angus cattle who roam their pastures. Finding purpose in living a more self-sufficient lifestyle, Stephanie enjoys growing, raising, and preserving their food as well as selling their local honey, eggs, goat cheese, and soap.
“I truly understand the impact of sharing your life with a dog,” stated Stephanie. “I know that for so many people it can significantly improve their quality of life, which is why I am so excited to join Dogs for Better Lives and help do just that.“
Stephanie joined DBL's Board of Directors in October 2022.
Lisa De Vivo is a 2nd generation Italian American, born and raised in New Jersey and now residing in Neptune, NJ. Growing up, Lisa’s family was very supportive of her energy, drive, and vibrant personality. Her passion for animals started as a young child as her family always had pets growing up. Though, Lisa would take it a step further and gather all the neighborhood dogs and bring them to her house.
Lisa graduated from Long Branch High School and shortly after, became a mother to her beautiful daughter Alicia who is now 26. She stumbled into the automotive industry, starting to sell cars for DCH Auto Group back in 2001. From there, her strong drive and passion about the industry grew, primarily because of her desire in helping and assisting customers, and even more so driven by the competitive nature within the sales team.
As the automotive industry is 90-percent male driven, this inspired Lisa to work even harder to demonstrate her strength, knowledge, and that a hardworking independent women can successfully achieve anything with dedication and drive. In 2014 Lithia acquired DCH Auto Group and from that point has been supportive of advancement opportunities for women. Lisa was promoted to General Manager in 2019 at Brunswick Toyota, being one of only a few female GM’S within the company, which has grown to be the #1 retailing auto group in the country as well as within the Toyota New York region. Under Lisa’s direction, Brunswick Toyota achieved Lithia Partners group recognition in 2021.
In her personal time, Lisa’s enjoys spending time with her three French Bulldogs Mr. Muffin, Señor Mateo, and Ms. Sugar Monroe. Lisa’s dogs come to work with her, as she provides a dog-friendly environment for her employees and customers, as well as periodically uses them in the dealership’s marketing. Lisa truly believes in the healing affects that animals have on people’s lives and loves to spend her free time traveling and making memories with her family, friends, and of course her dogs.
“I’m thrilled and excited to join Dog for Better Lives’ National Board,” stated Lisa. “My ongoing passion for animals and helping people aligns well with their mission and I’m looking forward to helping support DBL and provide awareness in NJ and the northeast.”
Lisa joined DBL's Board of Directors in July 2022.
Michelle Farabaugh grew up in western Pennsylvania and was lured to the west coast 25 years ago. She, her husband, and their furry baby reside in the San Francisco Bay Area and southern Oregon.
Michelle is an entrepreneurial-spirited, visionary executive whose nearly three decade career is hallmarked with CEO, Chief Marketing Officer, and Board of Director roles for iconic retail brands, including Sommsation, Harry & David, BevMo!, Smith & Hawken, West Marine, and PetSmart.
Michelle was recognized as a Top Women in Retail in 2019 and one of San Francisco’s Most Influential Women in Business in 2016. She earned an MBA in entrepreneurship from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, Babson.
"I believe it is important to give back. Dogs for Better Lives' values and their passion for dogs align well with my values and passions. I believe Dogs for Better Lives provides a valuable resource for several categories of people in need. DBL is making a positive impact and enhancing lives every day. I am honored to be a part of this growing organization."
First developing her love of dogs as a child, it wasn’t until Michelle, and her husband trained their current dog to be a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and completed Therapy Dog Training that she genuinely appreciated the impact a dog can have on a person’s life. Michelle’s team would repeatedly ask her to bring her golden retriever to work with her.
“You can see the health and well-being of people improve when they have the love and support of a service dog with them. I am honored to work with an organization focused on the well-being of their clients and the dogs that will improve their lives for years to come.”
Michelle is an avid (and a wee bit competitive) sailboat-racing enthusiast with her husband, Ross. She also loves hiking and spending time outdoors with her golden retriever Theodore (Theo, lovingly referred to as Theodorable).
Michelle joined DBL's Board of Directors in April 2022.
Kellie Green has spent her 25+ career in leadership positions in technology companies such as Amazon and Microsoft. Kellie is currently responsible for Microsoft’s connected customer support experience organization. Kellie is a Pacific Northwest native and lifelong dog lover. She and her husband, David Bond, have lived and worked in India, the Philippines, Boston, Russia, Southern California, and the Seattle area and have had their dogs with them all over the world. Kellie brings her experience leading large, international organizations and managing budgets and operations to the DBL board.
Kellie and David are puppy raisers for Dogs for Better Lives and are currently raising their third puppy, Noelle. After hearing from the person who is partnering with the first puppy that they raised about the positive impact on her life, Kellie was inspired to do more for Dogs for Better Lives by fundraising and spreading the word about the puppy raiser program. A previously unknown neighbor saw one of DBL puppy raiser flyers Kellie and David shared, and is now a new puppy raiser! Kellie sees joining Dogs for Better Lives' national board as a great next step to helping in creating a positive impact in her community and region.
Kellie joined DBL's Board of Directors in January 2023.
Katie Hanschen is a Seattle (WA) native with a deep passion for animals, travel, and exploring national parks. She studied Environmental Science with an emphasis on geography and economics at Willamette University and is currently pursuing an MBA from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. Katie brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to her professional endeavors, currently working as a consultant for Microsoft while attending graduate school.
Previously, Katie honed her project and people management skills in roles at Amazon and Google. She has extensive experience in international finance, acting as a liaison between global stakeholders to execute complex projects, and using data analytics and modeling to communicate insights cross-functionally. Her ability to streamline processes and solve data puzzles effectively has been a hallmark of her career. Katie currently lives outside Seattle with her husband and two bunnies.
"Joining Dogs for Better Lives is a remarkable opportunity to gain insight into nonprofit board functions while supporting a mission of immense value,” stated Katie. “I am eager to leverage my experience to contribute to an organization dedicated to enhancing independence and quality of life for community members through the incredible support of assistance dogs."
Katie joined the national board as a board fellow in June 2024.
CarrieJo Hoelzel was born and raised in Minnesota and currently resides in Vancouver, WA, with her husband and fur family. CarrieJo’s career in the hearing healthcare industry provided an opportunity for her to relocate to the Pacific Northwest, where she and her family enjoy the amazing beauty of the Columbia River Gorge, mountains, and towering pines all around us.
As a lover of all animals, it was only later in life, that she realized the importance of the animal/human connection; CarrieJo trained her dog Shep to receive his Canine Good Citizen (CGC), allowing them to visit Memory Care Units. Seeing the joy, love, and connection a dog can make with humans has forever changed CarrieJo.
“Through my own experiences, it was important to me, to join an organization that represents a blend of dog lovers, and people who want what’s best for their well-being,” stated CarrieJo Hoelzel. “It's an honor and privilege to serve on the Dogs for Better Lives’ Board.”
Over the past 13-years, CarrieJo’s career in the hearing health industry has allowed her to work closely with providers and doctors who serve patients with an array of hearing health challenges. Currently, CarrieJo works as the Senior Director, Customer Experience, leading the Customer Experience Team for Lantos Technologies 3D ear imagining.
CarrieJo joined the board in April 2021.
David Hollingsworth is a founder and VP of Business Development at Ascentron, a company that rose from the ashes of the high‐tech industry crash of 2001. Ascentron supports customers throughout the country in the aviation, medical, military, industrial and instrumentation industries by providing Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS).
David holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration/Marketing from Southern Oregon University. Founder of two sales representative businesses, he has been active in the electronics industry since 1987.
David and his wife Sandy own Mother Earth Pet Products, makers of SuperEssentials, a health supplement for dogs. A holistic veterinarian recommended the product to them to boost the health of their pet boxer, Tucker, following two bouts of cancer in 2012.
They purchased the business in 2016, after the founder moved to Europe. Since Tucker is alive and barking today, Sandy and Dave
want to make sure other pet owners can use the product to help keep their dogs healthy.
David and Sandy are known to spoil their animal companions, including their horses, dogs and cats. They love their Boxer Boys, Tucker & Bodie. Tucker is a rescue dog that enjoys singing and opening the front door, while Bodie just wants to play all day.
Community service has always been important to David. He currently serves on the Board of Craterian Performances in Medford and formerly served on the Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley. David spent many years coaching youth soccer in Southern Oregon and enjoys working with young people.
Being involved with Dogs for Better Lives enables David to give back to the community, helping both people and dogs to have better lives. David joined Dogs for Better Lives’ national board in Winter 2019.
Patty Jensen is originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended the University of Michigan, majoring in communications and marketing.
She started her career in Chicago but ended up finding herself in Southern California. While working as a manager of a large publication design department, she headed over to Epson to work as a merchandising manager. She met her husband, who is a Creative Director, and owned his own marketing and design agency, in the early 1990s. Jensen joined his agency and added many more clients, mainly in consumer electronics industry.
Jensen’s initial interest in Dogs for Better Lives was sparked by their work with Autism Assistance Dogs. She worked with children with autism while in college and has several friends and acquaintances with children on the spectrum. She also has a love for dogs and understands how their fierce sense of loyalty and unconditional love can bring so much joy and comfort to anyone’s life.
“I’m so grateful to Wanda Cockey for nominating me for this position on the board of directors for Dogs for Better Lives,” stated Patty Jensen. “This organization is a perfect fit for my professional background and my passion for dogs. I look forward to participating in helping DBL further their cause and expand their reach."
Jensen is excited to join the board of directors for Dogs for Better Lives and contribute on many different levels. Patty brings a strong knowledge of marketing, networking, and design to the table. Furter she is interested in helping to recruit for the Young Professionals Board (CA) as well as promote the National Ambassador program to prospective new volunteers.
She and her husband have one adult son and have always had dogs as part of their family. First there was Sophie the Great Dane–a kind and gentle giant. Then came Lucy a Jack Russell Terrier. Lucy came to work every day until a mailman complained of her barking at him. So, when Lucy had to stay home, we adopted a companion for her, a Pomeranian with three legs named Desi. Lucy passed away and they are now looking to increase their family once again.
Patty Jensen joined the board in July 2021.
Emily Nelson, a lifelong dog lover and New England native, recently returned to the Boston area where her family lives and she is excited to be a part of this growing national nonprofit.
Emily Nelson graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, then earned her law degree from Boston College Law School. She has practiced law for over 10 years and specializes in labor and employment law, spending the last several years working as in-house counsel for national corporations.
Through this work, she has seen the incredible value that Assistance Dogs can provide in the workplace and more broadly in daily life. Along with her in-house practice, Emily provides pro bono legal services for survivors of domestic violence and serves as a volunteer alumni interviewer for Harvard.
After living in Austin, Texas, where she worked at the headquarters for Whole Foods Market, Emily returned to the Boston area with her beloved rescue dog, Decker, an American Village Dog/Catahoula Leopard Dog mix. Emily is an avid reader and is passionate about fitness and the outdoors, including playing tennis and finding new hiking trails with her dog.
"It is incredible how many unique ways dogs can bring joy, comfort, and help to humans,” stated Emily. “I am thrilled to help expand DBL's East Coast presence and new center in Massachusetts and to help further its wonderful mission of enhancing the lives of both humans and dogs."
Emily Nelson joined the national board in January 2022.
Rich has spent much of his adult life in New York where he currently resides and received his Bachelor of Arts in Computer Sciences from Hunter College in New York City.
For more than seven years, Rich has been working in the commercial shipping industry, as the Claims Department Manager for Charles R. Weber Company. Prior to this, Rich worked for one of the premier tanker owners in the world, OSG Ship Management (NY) where he was AVP of Commercial Operations and managed a team of five commercial operators, coordinating the international movement of 45-50 tankers.
Rich's first job after college was with Caltex Petroleum Corporation (in NYC) working in the Computer Operations Department where he remained for five years when a position in the Supply & Distribution Department became available. During his tenure with Caltex, the company moved to Dallas, TX and offered Rich an opportunity to relocate. Six months after accepting this opportunity, Rich met his future wife Cynthia Day, a Texas native.
Cynthia and Rich had been annual donors to DBL for nearly 10-years, when Cynthia passed in 2017. In 2019-20, Rich made a significant gift in support of the future Puppy Sensory Park to be located on DBL’s West Coast Campus in Central Point, OR. The now Cynthia Perlman Puppy Sensory Park was dedicated with a ribbon cutting in Spring 2021, and is used regularly in training and presenting various environments to puppies, helping to orientate them to textures, smells, and experiences that they may encounter later on in training and/or with their human.
Rich is very active in giving back in his local community, where he is a weekly volunteer at the Gurwin Nursing home (Commack NY), where Cynthia spent the final four weeks of her life.
Rich joined DBL's national board of directors in October 2021.
Dr. Chelly (Michelle) Quinn is a semi-retired veterinarian who has a passion for working dogs. She graduated from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine after playing basketball at the collegiate level. Having been raised in a small town in western Oklahoma and later met and married her husband, Dr Joe Quinn, in veterinary school. Following vet school graduation and they moved to the Dallas metroplex (TX).
She and her family raised an assistance puppy in the late 1990’s. “Dee” fell in line with their three human children spending a lot of time at their small animal veterinary practice in Mesquite, Texas when not on field trips or at athletic fields and gyms supporting the kids’ teams. Dee did not make the cut to become an Assistance Dog so she returned to the Quinns and became an outstanding ambassador and therapy dog, and further sparked Dr. Chelly to pursue helping out with other service dogs and organizations.
Dr. Chelly is a board member for Search One Rescue Team which serves north Texas urban and rural communities. Cooper, a handsome golden retriever, was her working trailing dog for the team and taught Dr Chelly even more ways dogs can help people. The Quinn’s cared for many local police dogs and became certified in techniques to help screen dogs for a variety of orthopedic issues to help determine the best dogs for training and breeding. They continue to volunteer their time with service dog organizations in the Dallas area.
In 2015 Dr Chelly pursued and became certified in rehabilitation/therapy and acupuncture for animals and they incorporated these services into their practice. The Quinn’s sold their small animal practice in 2019, though Dr. Chelly continues to manage a very limited house call service, primarily for dogs recovering from orthopedic surgery or elderly dogs with mobility issues. They enjoy having their three children and their families nearby and especially the growing crew of grandkids. Scout, a two-year old golden, and Odyssey, a five year old lab/golden mix share their love and their home and both are therapy dogs sharing their love at local hospitals.
“I am always amazed at all the gifts dogs provide us humans,” stated Dr. Chelly. “We owe it to those trusting souls to make their lives as enriched as possible while they in turn care for us in so many ways. I am excited to get involved in Dogs for Better Lives and help out however I possibly can.”
Dr. Chelly Quinn joined DBL's national board of directors in October 2022.
Lisa Robinson grew up in Oregon and attended the University of Oregon, earning her BS degree in Psychology and Business. Lisa currently lives in Portland, Oregon and is Vice President, Human Resources for the Construction Sector software business that is part of the global company, Trimble Inc. In her role, Lisa and her HR team support 3,000 professionals across 20 countries. Prior to Trimble, Lisa worked for more than 15 years as an HR executive in the financial services industry and in professional services.
Lisa has a close connection with the mission and vision of Dogs for Better Lives. She has friends and family who are deaf, on the autism spectrum, or have a service dog due to other health challenges. “I am very honored to have the opportunity to join the DBL Board,” stated Lisa. “I’m looking forward to working closely with DBL in the pursuit of placing more Assistance Dogs with people whose lives will be significantly benefited by having a wonderful, loving dog to assist them.”
Lisa has always been an avid dog lover and currently has 2 black lab mixes she and her husband, Tom, adopted from local animal shelters. One of the dogs, Coal, has become an excellent hiking partner on weekend trips.
Dr Julie Ryan-Johnson is currently working as the Senior Associate Director of Shelter and Nonprofit Programs for Boehringer Ingelheim. Dr. Ryan is passionate about Shelter Medicine, has been a shelter veterinarian for nearly 30 years, and was previously the Director of Orange County Animal Care Services.
Dr. Ryan-Johnson joined Boehringer Ingelheim in a Key Accounts role after working in the stem cell world where she was VP of Sales and Marketing for a Biotech company. Her long career has been interwoven between the veterinary industry, private practice in equine and small animal, as well as organized veterinary medicine. She enjoys her role in the veterinary industry because of the interesting clients, emerging platforms, and the challenges of working in a changing field.
Dr. Ryan-Johnson is also the President and one of the founders of the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition, the Vice Chair of Greater Good Charities, the founder of the Large Animal Response Team for the city of San Juan Capistrano and the Co-Chair for Continuing Education for the California Veterinary Medical Association.
“I am so excited to join Dogs for Better Lives’ national board of directors,” stated Dr. Ryan-Johnson. “I was originally introduced to DBL from a fellow board member and over the years, the more I learned about the organization, the more impressed I have become with their service dog work, their passion, and their future.”
When Dr. Ryan is not riding her horse Alainn in dressage, she likes to paddleboard or outrigger with her husband and dogs.
Dr. Ryan-Johnson joined DBL’s national board of directors in April 2024.
Stacy Tollie grew up in New York, just outside New York City, and after living a few other places landed in North Carolina, where she currently makes her home. After graduating from Albany Law School she became a member of the NC & NY bars and spent 20 years as a magistrate judge before returning to school in 2016 to obtain a master’s degree in health & exercise science from Wake Forest University.
Stacy is an avid runner, having completed a dozen marathons, as well as a long-time motorcyclist and former motorcycle instructor. She enjoys traveling to explore new places and after many years of supporting DBL finally got to tour the facility and see its growth while on a 27-state cross-country road trip in early 2019.
Stacy has served on a number of nonprofit boards in the past and is excited to help lead DBL into the future. Dogs have brought joy and richness to her life and she is constantly awed by what they can do for people as part of a DBL team.
"I'm always amazed at what dogs can do in service of us humans, and I'm thrilled to join the board of an organization I've long supported to help guide it in the continuation of its excellent work."
1. ADI-Assistance Dogs International
A coalition of members representing organizations and individuals training and placing Assistance Dogs. The purpose of ADI is to improve the areas of training, placement, and utilization of Assistance Dogs.
2. IAADP-International Association of Assistance Dog Partners
A non-profit cross-disability organization representing people partnered with guide, hearing, and service dogs.
3. ADA-Americans with Disabilities Act
Information on service animals and the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as ADA information on public access for individuals with assistance dogs.
4. Assistance Dog Laws
Assistance Dogs in public and in the community.
Dogs for Better Lives is a founding member of Assistance Dogs International.
The Assistance Dogs International Standards Committee has developed minimum standards which all member programs must follow. This active committee updates existing standards and develops new ones. These standards are the backbone of the ADI accreditation and guide programs.
