Elena Bicker, Executive Director, Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation
Ms. Bicker is the executive director of Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), where she oversees the 4.3 million dollar day-to-day operations of ARF’s 37,700 square foot facility in Walnut Creek. Ms. Bicker came to ARF in 1993 as a volunteer and joined ARF’s staff in 1998. In her first year, Elena generated more than $1 million in funding. Elena’s marketing and strategic planning skills quickly led to her promotion as the organization’s marketing director where she was responsible for public relations, corporate events, sponsorships, and exhibitions and advertising. Elena was promoted to the executive director position in August, 2006. Prior to following her dream into animal welfare, Ms. Bicker spent 11 years with GE Capital. Elena earned her BA in Business Administration from St. Mary’s College in Moraga. Elena is assisted by Kayla, the wonder dog, and her yellow Labradork, Sadie and resides with her husband in Danville.
Dr. Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB (Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behavior)
Sheila Segurson first became interested in animal behavior when volunteering in the behavior department at the San Francisco SPCA in 1988. She graduated from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1996 and, after several years as a general practice/emergency veterinarian, renewed her interest in behavior while working at Pets Unlimited, a non-profit veterinary hospital and animal shelter in San Francisco. In 2005, she completed a three year behavior specialty training program at UC Davis, with an emphasis on shelter animals and shelter behavior programs. In 2006, she became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behavior.
Dr. Segurson provides private behavior consultations through her business (Sacramento Veterinary Behavior Services), and works for the UC Davis Shelter Medicine Program. She lives in West Sacramento with her three dogs: Ivory, a German Shepherd; Guapo, a pit bull mix; and Herbie, a Rat Terrier. In her spare time, Dr. Segurson is an active member of CARDA (California Rescue Dog Association); Sheila and Herbie are a certified trailing search and rescue team.
Dr. Ian Dunbar, Veterinarian, animal behaviorist, writer and founder of Sirius Dog Training
Dr. Ian Dunbar is a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and writer. Dr. Dunbar received his veterinary degree and a Special Honors degree in Physiology & Biochemistry from the Royal Veterinary College (London University) and a doctorate in animal behavior from the Psychology Department at the University of California in Berkeley, where he spent ten years researching olfactory communication, the development of hierarchical social behavior, and aggression in domestic dogs.
Dr. Dunbar has written numerous books, including How to Teach A New Dog Old Tricks, the Good Little Dog Book and a series of Behavior Booklets—separate educational booklets on each of the most common pet behavior problems. Additionally, Ian has hosted eleven videotapes on puppy/dog behavior and training, including SIRIUS® Puppy Training, Training Dogs With Dunbar and Every Picture Tells A Story. All his videos have won a variety of awards. The famous SIRIUS Puppy Training video (the first dog training video ever produced) remains the all-time best selling dog video. For three years running the SIRIUS® video has always been voted the #1 BEST DOG TRAINING VIDEO by the Association of Pet Dog trainers-the largest and most influential association of dog trainers in the world.
Before SIRIUS® Puppy Training Classes there were simply no puppy classes — Dr. Dunbar developed them in 1981. Dr. Mary Lee Nitschke, the principal of Animal School in Oregon, has divided dog training into "the push-pull pre-SIRIUS Dark Ages and the post-SIRIUS era of dog-friendly dog training."
Susan Furukawa, Animal Welfare Director, Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation
Susan is the director for ARF's adoption, animal care, shelter intake, and dog training programs. Prior to joining ARF in 2005, she spent seven years volunteering in companion animal rescue and over eighteen in information technology, leading geographically-dispersed teams to deliver large-scale systems. She combines both of these callings to provide positive leadership and build cohesive teams, while keeping focus on the quality of the deliverables. Born in the east bay and a graduate of the University of California, Susan and her husband reside in Oakland and are owned by two rescued dogs and freshwater fish.
Dr. Adam Piaseczny, DVM, specialist in alternative medicine
Dr Adam Piaseczny is a graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. He has been in practice for the past seven years, working his way up from an associate, through a medical director, to a partner in several veterinary hospitals in the Bay Area and the Northeastern United States. In addition to a conventional medical training, Dr Piaseczny earned a certification in Companion Animal Acupuncture from the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Reddick, Florida (www.tcvm.com). His current professional occupation is shared between Creature Comfort Holistic Veterinary Center in Oakland, and Coastal Holistic Veterinary Service of Pacifica. Dr Adam is a proud caregiver of two great dogs: Chippy, a 10-year-old female mini lab from Newark, New Jersey, and Boss, a 14-year-old Staffordshire Terrier from Bronx.
Dr Piaseczny will be presenting a short lecture entitled “Blending ancient healing methods with current medical therapies: a new approach to wellness”.
Beth Brannock, creator of the Pet Hug Pack, Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation's therapy animal team and program, and Meet Your Match (MYM) Training & Events Coordinator, ASPCA
Beth Brannock, creator of ARF's Pet Hug Pack (therapy animal team) in 2002, was born in Berkeley and has lived around the bay most of her life. A graduate of St. Mary's College, Beth has 35 years professional experience in operations and customer service management. She worked for Blue Cross of California for 24 years, then was Controller for the Kmart corporation for two years, and has spent most of the last ten years with Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation in a variety of roles. Beth lives in Concord with her sister and six dog pals.
Jennifer L. Emmert, Ph.D., AAT Program Manager, The San Francisco SPCA
Born and raised in Colorado, Dr. Emmert grew up in a mountainous region that has a knack for engendering residents with a healthy respect for both domestic and wild animals. Having been an avid rider and backpacker since she was young, Jennifer was always drawn to environmental and animal welfare concerns. After completing her doctorate in Philosophy, she entered the Peace Corps and served two years in Cameroon teaching English, Didactics, and HIV/AIDS Prevention. Upon her return to the United States she relocated to San Francisco and began working with The San Francisco SPCA as a Community Programs Specialist in the Animal Hospital. She later became the AAT Program Manager. Dr. Emmert resides in San Francisco with her husband and enchanting Annie, a Siamese mix adopted from the SF/SPCA.
Joanne M. Yates, Ph.D., President, Paws for Healing, Inc.
Joanne has been involved in CAT (canine-assisted therapy) for over 10 years, first as a volunteer with her Golden, Polly, and then as a co-founder of Paws for Healing, Inc. PFH teams come from Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Marin and serve 65+ facilities in those counties. Joanne has participated in all aspects of creating and sustaining the non-profit organization, but especially enjoys classroom interaction with new volunteers.
Kathy Sturgeon, Teaching Assistant, Sunrise School
Kathy Sturgeon is a dedicated assistant to the teachers at a special education school (Sunrise Elementary) in Concord. She has championed the ARF therapy pet program at that school for three years. Kathy specializes in working with students in crisis. Her motto: each day is a new beginning for every person.
Margaret Maguire, Recreational Therapist, John Muir Hospital
Mariana Moore, Fundraising and Planning Consultant
Mariana Moore is a consultant to nonprofit, community-based organizations in the areas of fundraising, planning and communications. She specializes in helping small to medium sized nonprofits build their internal capacity in order to expand and diversify their funding base. Mariana brings nearly two decades of experience in all aspects of organizational planning and development, having served as an executive director, development director and consultant to numerous organizations in the fields of animal welfare, health and human services, the arts, public policy, legal services, and higher education. She has secured more than $10 million in program funding through proposals to corporations, government agencies and foundations, and has personally solicited gifts of $250,000+ from individual donors.
Dr. Tess Kommedal, Koret Shelter Medicine Resident, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Tess Kommedal was born and raised in Norway. She graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary medicine in Budapest, Hungary, and following graduation worked in private practice in Israel and Norway. Before joining the shelter medicine program at UC , where she is currently a resident, she did an internship in small animal surgery and medicine at the University of Florida. Dr. Kommedal is especially interested in infectious diseases and animal behavior, and has a soft spot for rottweilers and orange tabby cats.
Joelle Aguirre, People Connect Manager, Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation
Joelle Aguirre, ARF's People Connect Manager, has been working with animals her entire life. For the past 15 years she has been heavily involved with Guide Dogs for the Blind as a puppy raiser and leader. Inspired to work with animals professionally through childhood involvement in 4-H, Joelle attended Cal Poly earning a BS in Animal Science with a concentration in Leadership and Communication. Her role at ARF could not be more fitting, as she over sees the People Connect programs which include Camp ARF, the All Stars Teen Volunteer program, as well as many other humane education programs. Joelle is the proud pet guardian of her cat "Satin," career change dog "Donner", who is an active member of the ARF's Pet Hug Team, and her current Guide Dog puppy "Steinbeck."
Martin Smith, Veterinary Medicine Youth Curriculum Specialist and Director, Animal Ambassadors Youth Education Outreach Program
Martin H. Smith is the Veterinary Medicine Youth Curriculum Specialist and Director of the Animal Ambassadors Youth Education Outreach Program at the University of California, Davis. He holds an M.S. in Biology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; a B.S. in Environmental Biology from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston; and Doctoral studies in Zoology at the University of Vienna, Austria. Martin previously served as Associate Director, 4-H Science Experiences and Resources in Informal Education Settings (SERIES) Projects, Department of Human and Community Development, University of California, Davis; as International Director, Roots & Shoots Program Environmental Education Program, at The Jane Goodall Institute and as Resident Assistant Professor and Chair of the Life Science Department at the University of Maryland - Munich Campus, Munich, Germany. Martin is a prolific researcher in the areas of youth curriculum and animal education.
Dr. Rick Timmins, DVM, Manager, Program for Veterinary Family Practice UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Richard Timmins, DVM, earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1977. He founded the Companion Animal Clinic of Springfield, Oregon, in 1979 and remained a partner until he sold the practice in 1989. During that time, he lectured frequently on practice management and avian medicine and surgery at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University. In 1991, Timmins joined The Iams Company of Dayton, Ohio, helping develop that company's Veterinary Academic Affairs Program. Timmins and his wife, Dr. Marcia Merryman (OR, '85) owned and managed The Cat and Bird Clinic in Eugene, Oregon, until 2003, when Timmins accepted the position of Director, Center for Animals in Society, at the School of Veterinary Medicine, UCD.
Current research interests include the role of animals in the education and development of children with and without disabilities, the definition and measurement of attachment between humans and animals, and communication in veterinary medicine. In addition to managing the Center’s programs, Timmins is in the process of developing the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Program for Veterinary Family Practice. He teaches communication and other essential professional skills to veterinary students.
Timmins is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the California Veterinary Medical Association, The International Society for Anthrozoology, and the International Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians. He and his wife, Marcia, share their home in Davis with their dog Riley, also known as His Royal Dogliness.
Tiffany Mahaffey, Disaster Preparedness Manager, National Outreach, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Tiffany Mahaffey is the Disaster Preparedness Manager with the ASPCA. Prior to her work with the ASPCA, she has five years experience as an emergency manager for The University of Kansas Medical Center; more than seven years experience with the Incident Command System as a search and rescue canine handler at a variety of incidents and is currently completing her Master's degree in Fire and Emergency Management with a specialty in Disaster Response and Counterterrorism. She also has a great deal of experience in the humane animal field as well as in technical animal rescue through her work with United Animal Nations, Code 3 Associates, Emergency Equine Rescue Unit and Greater Ohio Boxer Rescue; just to name a few. Ms. Mahaffey was one of the driving forces behind the largest, full-scale, Community Integrative Disaster Response Exercise (CIDRE) performed, to date, in the country.
Dr. Cynthia Delany, DVM, Associate at Atlantic Street Veterinary Hospital, and Executive Director of California Animal Shelter Friends, Inc.
Dr. Delany graduated with an undergraduate degree in Business/Economics from UCLA and completed her DVM at UC Davis in 2000. As part of the UC Davis Shelter Medicine Program from 2001 to 2004, she was the shelter veterinarian for Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation, a large public animal control facility with an annual intake of 24,000 animals per year. She currently works as an emergency and critical care doctor in Roseville and is the Executive Director of California Animal Shelter Friends, Inc. CASF is a 501(c) (3) private rescue group that rescues sick, injured and newborn animals from animal shelters and veterinary hospitals, throughout Central and Northern California. Dr. Delany will present on guidelines for intake protocols, housing and transportation of shelter animals going to foster homes or rescue to help ensure that the animals stay healthy on their way to rescue and forever homes.
Megan Webb, Community Outreach Program Manager, Oakland Animal Services
Megan Webb has over twelve years of experience engaging individuals in community service. She created the volunteer program for Oakland Animal Services in California and has continued to grow and manage it during the last six years. Before joining the staff at Oakland Animal Services, Megan spent six years directing a regional and then a statewide public health coalition to address asthma. This experience facilitating collaboration among community members and organizational representatives was immediately transferable to managing volunteers. Megan has an MBA from UC Berkeley and Columbia University. She combines this management knowledge with her real world experience with animals and her community organizing background to help animal organizations function at their highest potential. Most recently in 12/07, Megan received the Oakland Police Department Bureau of Services' Employee of the Year award.
Rich Avanzino, President, Maddie's Fund
President of Maddie's Fund® since 1999, Richard Avanzino directs the $300 million family foundation's resources in four major areas: creating successful models of community lifesaving; pioneering shelter medicine programs in veterinary schools; enlisting private practice veterinarians in the animal welfare cause; and implementing a national strategy to collect and report shelter statistics.
Prior to joining Maddie's Fund, Rich served as President of the San Francisco SPCA for 22 years (1976-1999). During his tenure, Rich led San Francisco to become the first City and County in the nation (1994) to offer an adoption guarantee for every healthy shelter cat and dog, and brought euthanasia rates down to the lowest of any urban center in the nation. He also pioneered adoption, animal behavior, feral cat, and spay/neuter programs that have become models for the nation. Rich received a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of California Medical Center and earned a law degree at the University of California at Davis Law School.
Elena Bicker
Dr. Ian Dunbar
Susan Furukawa
Dr. Adam Piaseczny
Beth Brannock
Jennifer L. Emmert, Ph.D.
Joanne M. Yates, Ph.D.
Kathy Sturgeon
Mariana Moore
Dr. Tess Kommedal
Joelle Aguirre
Martin Smith
Dr. Rick Timmins
Dr. Cynthia Delany
Megan Webb
Rich Avanzino