Atlas Assistance Dogs is breaking down barriers, enabling more people with disabilities to experience the life-changing partnership of a service dog.
The Need
One in four U.S. adults has a disability, yet fewer than 1% have a service dog. High costs, long waitlists, and a shortage of qualified trainers make access difficult. Many programs still use outdated, force-based methods, causing stress for both dogs and handlers. Even after training, service dog teams encounter challenges in public spaces, transportation, and businesses, creating further barriers to independence.
Our Mission
Atlas Assistance Dogs supports people with disabilities to train their own service dogs, educates ethical trainers, strengthens the human-canine bond, and promotes a more inclusive society.
Our Vision
We envision a world where anyone who could benefit from a service dog can have one and where individuals with disabilities and their dogs thrive.
Our Work
Client Training
Atlas supports people to train their own service dogs using positive, science-based methods. Our flexible, nationwide model offers expert guidance and personalized support to help each client build skills, advocate for themselves, and strengthen the bond with their dog.
Atlas Academy
Atlas Academy is your hub for service dog training education, offering positive, force-free courses for everyone from dog enthusiasts to professional trainers—including our comprehensive Trainer Certification Program.
Access & Awareness
Atlas works to reduce stigma around disability by educating the public on the life-changing role of service dogs. Through outreach and collaboration with trainers, educators, and advocates, we are building a more ethical and inclusive future for service dog teams.
Client Training
Atlas supports people to train their own service dogs using positive, science-based methods. Our flexible, nationwide model offers expert guidance and personalized support to help each client build skills, advocate for themselves, and strengthen the bond with their dog.
Atlas Academy
Atlas Academy is your hub for service dog training education, offering positive, force-free courses for everyone from dog enthusiasts to professional trainers—including our comprehensive Trainer Certification Program.
Access & Awareness
Atlas works to reduce stigma around disability by educating the public on the life-changing role of service dogs. Through outreach and collaboration with trainers, educators, and advocates, we are building a more ethical and inclusive future for service dog teams.
Atlas supports people to train their own service dogs using positive, science-based methods. Our flexible, nationwide model offers expert guidance and personalized support to help each client build skills, advocate for themselves, and strengthen the bond with their dog.
Atlas Academy is your hub for service dog training education, offering positive, force-free courses for everyone from dog enthusiasts to professional trainers—including our comprehensive Trainer Certification Program.
Atlas works to reduce stigma around disability by educating the public on the life-changing role of service dogs. Through outreach and collaboration with trainers, educators, and advocates, we are building a more ethical and inclusive future for service dog teams.
Atlas supports people to train their own service dogs using positive, science-based methods. Our flexible, nationwide model offers expert guidance and personalized support to help each client build skills, advocate for themselves, and strengthen the bond with their dog.
Atlas Academy is your hub for service dog training education, offering positive, force-free courses for everyone from dog enthusiasts to professional trainers—including our comprehensive Trainer Certification Program.
Atlas works to reduce stigma around disability by educating the public on the life-changing role of service dogs. Through outreach and collaboration with trainers, educators, and advocates, we are building a more ethical and inclusive future for service dog teams.
Our Values
Our Values
Humane, Ethical Treatment of Dogs
We treat all people and all dogs ethically, compassionately, and as individuals. We partner with trainers, doctors, patients, and researchers to ensure that we employ the most ethical, scientific, and effective training approaches available with each person and each dog in our program.
Inclusion
We promote inclusion and diversity. We welcome and seek out anyone who can benefit from our services. We proudly serve people of every race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, and military status. We also welcome dogs of any breed (and mixed breeds) as long as they have the temperament and the physical ability to be an assistance dog.
Honesty, Integrity, Transparency
We value open and straightforward communication. We earn the trust of our constituents by delivering on our promise of providing an expanded pool of highly-skilled, certified assistance dogs. We have high standards in everything we do and set the highest bar for our certification process. What we do matches what we say. Our decisions and finances are fully documented and accurately reported.
Professionalism
We are well organized and well managed. We follow accepted best practices for management, accounting, and documentation. All communication from our organization helps to convey the message that Atlas Assistance Dogs is a serious, competent, and professional organization.
Boldness and Creativity
Our heads and our hearts are fully engaged in exploring ideas, techniques, and technologies that enhance our ability to fulfill our mission.
Why We Are Called 'Atlas'
The ancient Greek god, Atlas, is a symbol for strength and endurance. Atlas holds up the world. Assistance dogs help their human partners uphold their world and overcome the challenges of living with a disability.
Ready to Connect With Atlas?
Here are a few ways to connect with Atlas:
- Volunteer With Atlas Support our mission through meaningful opportunities.
- Donate Today Help expand access to service dog programs.
- Contact Us We’re happy to help you find the right path.
Our Staff
Molly Neher
INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
director of operations and programs
Molly was introduced to the world of service dogs when she became in need of one herself after developing a severe seizure disorder while in college. Her service dog Reid was partially trained in a prison program, but Molly continued most of his training on her own with the help of a private trainer to ensure Reid would properly fit her needs. As a college student, Molly became a passionate advocate for people with disabilities and for service dog education and access. She has seen first-hand the benefits and the empowerment a service dog can bring, and it is her strong belief that people do not thrive despite their disabilities, but rather with them.
Throughout her college years, she worked with other local disability rights organizations and also worked to make her campus more accessible to students with disabilities through the leadership and advocacy group she was part of. With Reid by her side she graduated with a B.S in bio-anthropology and psychology.
Molly joined Atlas’ board of directors in 2017 as a means to continue her advocacy efforts and help more people like herself who could benefit from a service dog. In August of 2018, she became Atlas’ first employee and is Atlas’ Director of Operations and Programs. In this role she manages all day to day operations as well as all being the primary point of contact for all of our trainers, clients and volunteers. She maintains a non-voting membership on our board and is involved many efforts related to marketing, fund development, academy, outreach and communications. Molly is also a certified Peer Supporter and Atlas Team Facilitator.
Sabine Johnson
Team Training Coordinator
Sabine serves as the Team Training Coordinator, supporting owner-trained service dog teams with compassion, experience, and care. She understands that every team’s journey is unique and believes that client guidance and strong human-dog partnerships are key to long-term success.
With more than 40 years of experience working with animals, Sabine is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP) and Certified Atlas Assistance Dogs Trainer. Her background includes AKC Canine Good Citizens evaluator and years as a Search and Rescue (SAR) K9 handler, instructor, and evaluator. She has developed and trained service dogs for a wide range of needs, coordinated a nonprofit puppy-raising program, instructed service dog training group classes and private sessions and currently also serves as an Atlas Assistance Dogs Academy Instructor, where she helps shape thoughtful, supportive training curriculum.
Sabine’s training philosophy is rooted in positive, science-based methods and guided by respect for both dogs and handlers. She prioritizes trust, clear communication, and steady encouragement, helping teams grow in confidence and skill at a pace that feels achievable and supported.
In her role as Team Training Coordinator, Sabine is committed to ensuring that facilitators, handlers, and teams feel heard, valued, and supported every step of the way.
Laura Rogers
Program Support Coordinator
Laura started her dog training career in 2001 as a puppy raiser. Over the years she has raised five pups for four different service dog organizations. She spent a year with each of the pups and then gave them back to the organizations where they would learn the tasks and be paired with their person. She spent years searching all over the country for an opportunity to learn how to train the task and work hands on with service dog recipients. At the time, there wasn’t a clear path to getting the education, mentorship and experience needed.
In 2019, Laura discovered the Karen Pryor Academy and gained her Training Partner certification. She learned about Atlas at a KPA clicker expo and began her journey with Atlas as a Team Facilitator in 2021. She went on to complete her Atlas Service Dog Trainer Certification in 2022.
Laura owns her own dog training business, Soul Mutt Training in Asheville, NC. In May 2023 she became the Administrative Assistant for Atlas. She splits her time between private training, volunteering as an Atlas Team Facilitator, and remote office work for Atlas. Laura is passionate about the mission of Atlas, not only for clients, but also for trainers. She enjoys being involved with the process of connecting clients in need of a trainer with highly qualified Atlas Certified Trainers and Atlas Team Facilitators, and helping trainers get access to the education, mentorship and experience that Atlas offers.
Kristina Kent
Web Developer
Kristina is a web developer who specializes in building clear, sustainable, and user-friendly digital experiences. She focuses on thoughtful design and practical functionality, creating websites that help organizations communicate effectively and serve their communities with confidence.
A member of the Atlas community herself, Kristina completed Atlas’ client certification program and trained her own service dog through the organization. Experiencing the program firsthand gave her a deep appreciation for the partnership between people and their dogs and the supportive network Atlas provides.
Kristina is honored to support Atlas Assistance Dogs as the organization’s web developer, helping maintain and strengthen its digital presence. She values the opportunity to contribute her skills to a mission that has personally impacted her life.
Amanda Grant
Impact and Partnerships Lead
Amanda started her nonprofit career in 2018 as administrator, and later grant manager, for the Grey Muzzle Organization, helping senior dogs thrive nationwide for over seven years. This experience solidified her interest in the human-animal bond, learning that we must consider the people behind the pets and promote mutual wellbeing. The highlight of Amanda’s experience with Grey Muzzle was leading the Learning Partnership, a collaborative project between a small cohort of rescue organizations, where these groups worked in underserved communities to increase senior dog adoption and retention.
Amanda is excited to join Atlas in their tenth year as Impact and Partnerships lead, where she plans to broaden Atlas’ audience through mission-driven outreach projects. Coming from a non-disabled background, Amanda wants to better her own awareness of service dogs and the people who rely on them, as well as positively promote an equal-opportunity society.
Amanda lives in Virginia with her family and senior chiweenie, Luna, where she enjoys visiting historical sites and searching for sea glass on the beach.
Gabriel Lawler
Marketing Director
Gabe has spent over eight years working across marketing, media production, branding, and advertising. His relationship with Atlas Assistance Dogs began early in his career as a volunteer, creating photo and video content that helped tell some of the organization’s most compelling stories. Though his roots are in commercial marketing, he has consistently worked alongside nonprofits, helping them grow, expand their reach, and communicate the mission behind their work.
As Marketing Director for Atlas Assistance Dogs, Gabe is focused on building the organization’s national recognition and bringing more of its success stories to a wider audience, particularly within the disability and dog training communities.
He lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife and their two dogs, Star and Reid, where they spend their weekends exploring the Pacific Northwest.
Our Advisory Board
We are honored to have these industry experts as advisors to the work we do.
Mikkel Becker
Lead Trainer, Fear Free pets and fear free happy homes
Mikkel Becker is the lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets. She specializes in reward based training and behavior modification with dogs, cats and occasional other species, including horses, pigs and orangutans.
Mikkel is a Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP), a graduate of the rigorous San Francisco SPCA Dog Training Academy with Jean Donaldson with a certificate in training and counseling (CTC), a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA), a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a Certified Dog Behavior Counselor (CDBC). Mikkel also majored in communications and minored in sociology at Washington State University.
Mikkel is regularly featured in publications that include USA Today, today.com, Woman’s Day, Real Simple and a nationally syndicated newspaper pet column. She was the resident trainer at vetstreet.com and now is the lead animal trainer at fearfreehappyhomes.com and fearfreepets.com Mikkel has coauthored six books, including the most recent release, From Fearful to Fear Free.
Mikkel lives in Spokane, WA with her daughter, Reagan and the love of her life- a Puggle named Indiana Bones. The rest of the critter crew includes an adorably naughty rescue pug mix, Otis, a rescued stray cat- Mylo, and a cuddly, teddy bear of a horse, Chili.
Michelle DeRosa
LPC, NCC. Mental Health Consultant
Michelle (she/they) is delighted to join Atlas as a Mental Health Consultant, bringing a wealth of clinical expertise and personal passion to the organization. As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in both Virginia and Maryland and a National Certified Counselor (NCC), she has dedicated her career to transforming lives and fostering resilient communities. In 2024, Michelle founded Pathway Psychotherapy, PLLC, building on her experience in clinical counseling and specializing in complex PTSD, severe anxiety disorders—including OCD, Panic Disorder, and Agoraphobia—and the nuanced and intersected challenges faced by disabled and LGBTQIA+ communities. Their training and lived experiences uniquely position them to connect individuals with critical disability services and accommodations, including psychological service dogs. In addition to providing clinical counseling, they also provide continuing education ethics training and clinical consultation to providers who would like to learn more about disability competency in their psychotherapy practice.
In addition to her private practice, Michelle serves as the Director of Counseling and Student Health at Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA. They also serve on the University’s Board of Student Accommodations, promoting inclusive, supportive environments on campus.
Michelle’s journey into the service dog world began in 2015, during a time when ongoing medical and mental health challenges made both work and everyday life profoundly difficult. For nearly a decade, her service dog Samson provided essential tasks, enhancing her mobility and emotional well-being and allowing her to obtain her Master’s degree and build her career. In 2019, Michelle and Samson joined Atlas Assistance Dogs, finding a supportive community that helped them navigate the challenges of the early pandemic. Today, in honor of Samson’s legacy and her own transformative journey, Michelle is eager to give back by contributing to Atlas’s mission as a Mental Health Consultant, all while raising a new service dog prospect with the hope of eventually returning to Atlas as a client.
Indi Kucel
Youth Advisor
Indi Kucel a Youth Ambassador for the Tourette Association of America (TAA), and serves as Vice President of her school’s American Sign Language (ASL) Honour Society. Indi is a strong advocate for the use of service dogs as a treatment for Tourette Syndrome (TS) and is deeply passionate about disability rights and accommodations. She is excited to take a more formal role helping Atlas, who helped her train her dog, more broadly advocate for disabled youth and disability rights in general.
As a teenager with a service dog, Indi offers a unique perspective on the challenges and experiences of a youth service dog handler, including the impact of age on dog handling, advocacy, accessibility, and disability. Her advocacy work has led her to speak at the national TS conference in Dallas, hosted by the TAA, where she, along with Atlas’ president, delivered a talk on the benefits of service dogs for those with TS. This presentation was later adapted into a webinar, reaching over a thousand people. She has also spoken at multiple schools in her district on service dog etiquette, disability awareness, and her personal journey navigating life with TS.
Beyond her advocacy work, Indi attends High School as a junior. She has a deep love for music, participating in her school’s choir, and enjoys expressing herself through poetry and singing. She also has a strong connection with nature and is an avid mountain biker. Indi lives in Washington with her parents, brother, and her beloved service dog, Otto. When not engaging in school or advocacy, she can often be found with her nose in a book, immersing herself in stories and new ideas.
Sasha S. Philip
OMBUDS
Sasha first connected with Atlas as a client and is now part of its leadership. She grew up in Germany as the daughter of Indian immigrant parents, arriving in the USA as a foreign exchange student. It was not until adulthood that she began to identify and seek support for her mental health challenges.
Sasha discovered Atlas Assistance Dogs in 2022, when she enrolled in the Client Certification Program. She then went on to become an Atlas Team Facilitator, as well as an Atlas certified trainer, and an Atlas board member. She completed the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) professional trainer program in 2025, and has been a KPA-CTP since then.
Sasha has a B.A. in Psychology and Political Science from Vassar College, and a J.D. from Tulane University. She is currently a dispute resolution professional in private practice, as well as a private dog trainer, specializing in supporting potential service dog teams at the beginning stages of their learning. She has been recognized in alternative dispute resolution, has held adjunct faculty/lecturer positions at Seattle University School of Law and University of Washington School of Law, and was a planning committee member for the annual Northwest Dispute Resolution Conference from 2014-2025.
Sasha’s personal experiences have led her to recognize the enormous need for service dog training support and the invaluable service Atlas provides to owner-trainers. She values the opportunity to lend the unique combination of her leadership, dispute resolution, and dog training skills to the Atlas advisory board in her role as organizational ombuds.
Ken Ramirez
EVP & Chief Training Director, Karen Pryor clicker training
Ken Ramirez is the EVP and Chief Training Officer for Karen Pryor Clicker Training where he helps to oversee the vision, development and implementation of training education programs. Previously, Ken served as EVP of animal care and training at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. A 40+ year veteran of animal care and training, Ramirez is a biologist and behaviorist who has worked with many zoological organizations and dog programs throughout the world.
Ken’s work has included guide dogs, service dogs, law enforcement, search and rescue, film and television, and countless private clients. He is past president of the International Marine Animal Trainers Association and has been active in various leadership positions within IMATA for over 30 years. He hosted two successful seasons of the TV series Talk to the Animals. Ramirez authored the book ANIMAL TRAINING: Successful Animal Management through Positive Reinforcement in 1999 and most recently The Eye of the Trainer in 2020. He taught a graduate course on animal training at Western Illinois University for 20 years. He currently teaches at ClickerExpo every year, offers hands on courses and seminars at the Karen Pryor National Training Center (the Ranch), and teaches online courses through Karen Pryor Academy.
Linda Randall
DVM. Veterinary Consultant
Linda Randall, DVM, KPA CTP, Tagteach Level 3, LLA, is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners for 20 years, and a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy.
Dr. Randall worked with the Northeast Ohio State Patrol Dogs for over 20 years, earning a reputation for her deep understanding of the unique needs of each dog-handler team. She became well-versed in the physical and emotional demands placed on service dogs and worked closely with handlers to support both their dogs’ well-being and their working capabilities. By actively listening to handlers and prioritizing the welfare of the team, she helped them maintain their dogs’ health, longevity, and performance. Her personal and professional approach, along with her keen awareness of the demands of being a Canine Officer, made her a trusted advisor to some of the most successful teams in Northeast Ohio.
In addition to her work with service dogs, Dr. Randall has trained and worked with multiple breeds in dog sports. A lifelong student of canine behavior, she has applied her expertise in veterinary medicine to support dogs working as service companions. As a positive reinforcement trainer, she emphasizes the fundamentals of behavior, helping students, clients, and their dogs build strong, lasting bonds based on mutual respect and understanding.
Currently, Linda owns One Smart Dog in Seville, Ohio, a full-service dog training facility where she coaches agility and kid’s classes. She also works at Seville Animal Hospital with companion and small exotic animals, concentrating on helping dogs with behavioral issues. As a veterinarian and a trainer, she is able to bring both worlds into alignment when she assesses her patients.
August Stockwell
Educator and Consultant
August Stockwell, PhD (any pronouns) is a neurodiversity educator and consultant with a passion for disability justice and accessible mental health supports. They were the Founder of Upswing Advocates, an LGBTQ2IA and neurodiversity focused nonprofit organization, and have 15 years of experience educating professionals (including animal trainers) on a variety of topics related to culturally-sensitive practice. As a neurodivergent, queer, and non-binary human, August works from a community member perspective, as well as from a researcher and educator perspective.
August holds a PhD in Behavior Analysis and a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Missouri. They live in Chicago with their partner, cat, and two dogs, and love spending time in nature, meditation, and capybaras.
Our Board
Jennifer Kolar
president
Jennifer has been surrounded by animals and active in their training and rehabilitation since she was a child. Just as she’s seen many a stray or shelter dog through fear and reactivity issues, they have seen her through hard times too.
Jennifer recognizes that working with service dog teams is at least as much about the person as about their animal. She is deeply committed to positive, ethical treatment of both dogs and people. She is excited to be a co-founder of Atlas Assistance Dogs and to redefine the notion of service dog training to benefit as many people as possible.
Jennifer has worked as a leader in technology firms for over 25 years and is Vice President of Engineering at her current company. She has volunteered with environmental, animal, and human rights organizations throughout her life. She has more than 15 years’ experience as a professional service dog trainer and instructor.
Jennifer has a BS in Applied Mathematics in Engineering and an MS in Astrophysical, Planetary and Atmospheric Sciences. She is a Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner, Certified Behavioral Adjustment Training Instructor, Atlas Certified Trainer, Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Diabetic Alert Dog Certified Trainer, and a Certified Peer Supporter.
Jana Hinken
VICE-PRESIDENT
Jana is a global program and project management professional with a strong desire to help communities thrive. She specializes in process improvement, people development, and creating efficient, practical solutions that help people focus on what really matters. Born in Germany, Jana has worked across Europe, Asia, and the United States, bringing an international perspective to every role she takes on.
A life-long dog lover, Jana began fostering during the COVID-19 pandemic and happily “foster-failed” when Beanie, her sweet but anxious staffy mix, stole her heart. She loves how Atlas focuses on the powerful bond between people and their dogs — a mission close to her own experience of the joy and support dogs bring to our lives.
Jana is honored to support Atlas Assistance Dogs as a member of the Board of Directors, where she is excited to help strengthen governance and bring structure and scalability to the organization’s future. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Germany and is thrilled to use her skills to help Atlas grow and serve more people in need.
Erin Petersen
treasurer
From a young age, Erin has been interested in mathematics and finding order in the chaos of data. As a lifelong dog owner, Erin has always been amazed by the impact that a dog can make. Working with Atlas has allowed her to combine her passion for equity, servant leadership, and animal welfare with her love for solving problems using data analytics.
Erin grew up in Minnesota. She studied mathematics at Macalester College in St. Paul and moved to Seattle to pursue graduate school at the University of Washington and has enjoyed living in the Pacific Northwest ever since. Erin currently works as a data scientist at The Boeing Company.
Erin has a B.A. in Mathematics and an M.S. in Applied Mathematics.
Vicky Nann
secretary
Vicky is a communications professional and life-long learner who has a strong desire to serve. She specializes in helping individuals and organizations build their brand and has both corporate and nonprofit experience. Vicky has always been a dog-lover, and she is eager to do more advanced training with her own dog Cynar.
Vicky is honored to help support the mission of Atlas Assistance Dogs. As an experienced editor, writer, and public speaker, she is excited about the opportunity to join others in spreading the word about Atlas’ programs to help more people lead more satisfying lives.
Vicky holds a PhD in Leadership Studies (Gonzaga University), an MBA with specializations in marketing and organizational behavior (The Ohio State University), an MA in Germanic Studies (University of Colorado at Boulder), and a BA in the Classics (University of Toronto).
Sally Jean-Baptiste
Sally Jean-Baptiste is a governance and board effectiveness professional who is passionate about helping mission-driven organizations build strong, thoughtful leadership. Her work focuses on supporting boards and leadership teams in developing clear governance practices, strengthening collaboration, and helping boards operate in ways that best support their organization’s mission.
She is the Founder and Managing Director of 360 Achievo LLC, where she works with organizations on board governance, board recruitment, accountability, and overall board effectiveness. Her work focuses on helping boards put practical structures in place that encourage stronger engagement, clarify roles and responsibilities, and support thoughtful decision-making.
Sally holds an MBA in International Business from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Adelphi University.
She has always had a strong desire to help others and a lifelong love of animals. Serving on the board of Atlas Assistance Dogs allows her to combine those passions.
Paige Lakin
Paige Lakin (she/her) comes to Atlas with a lifetime of appreciation for the power animals have to increase the quality of life for human beings.
Paige began her time working with animals in high school after a car accident derailed her hopes of a dancing career. From this experience, Paige began healing through horses by way of equine therapy. Later, in college, Paige went on to support others’ healing journeys by offering sidewalking services with a nonprofit providing animal therapy to individuals with disabilities, chronic pain or serious injury.
Offering a lifetime of dedication to the animal-human bond combined with a career focused on building awareness and delivering results, Paige values work that allows her to apply the strategy and grit of her revenue driving expertise to the mission and vision of a nonprofit organization doing necessary work.
Bringing more than fifteen years of sales, fundraising, grant writing and revenue operations expertise from across music and the arts, software and technology, animal welfare and conservation, and public education, Paige is thrilled to be a part of the next chapter for Atlas Assistance Dogs!
In her own time, Paige enjoys – spoiler alert – playing with her dogs, hanging out with her family, dropping in on a dance or yoga class, or reading the latest cozy who-done-it that Powell’s Books made her buy.
Keri Switalski
Keri is a recovering lawyer and Co-Founder of ANV Talent, where she leads executive search for companies across technology and finance industries. After years in executive recruiting, including more than a decade at Google, she has a deep bench of experience helping organizations find and grow their leaders.
A lifelong dog lover, Keri and her family adopted their rescue dog nearly three years ago, and it stirred a desire to give back in a bigger way. She was looking for the right board to put that energy toward, and Atlas Assistance Dogs stood out as a thriving nonprofit community with a mission worth building on.
Keri holds a Juris Doctorate from the UCLA School of Law and lives in Southern California, where she’s a connector of people and dots, an amateur road cyclist, and learning addict – she’s currently learning French and (re)learning piano.
A lifelong dog lover, Keri and her family adopted their rescue dog nearly three years ago, and it stirred a desire to give back in a bigger way. She was looking for the right board to put that energy toward, and Atlas Assistance Dogs stood out as a thriving nonprofit community with a mission worth building on.
Keri holds a Juris Doctorate from the UCLA School of Law and lives in Southern California, where she’s a connector of people and dots, an amateur road cyclist, and learning addict – she’s currently learning French and (re)learning piano.
Gina Tzodikov
Gina is an animal advocate at work and in her personal life. You can often find her asking if anyone in her circle needs a trustworthy dog sitter. As an east coast native, Gina moved to WA in 2007 to attend college and decided to make the Pacific Northwest her home. After obtaining her degree, she worked for non-profits including an animal shelter and a fundraising department for the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Gina managed volunteers for a variety of community outreach programs serving low-income pet owners. Gina also has experience with fundraising and grant administration.
On a daily basis, Gina witnesses the immense value in the human-animal bond due to working in veterinary medicine. Gina currently works as a Licensed Veterinary Technician Supervisor at a general veterinary practice in Seattle. Her favorite part of working in the field is helping her patients have safe anesthetic procedures, getting them home to their beloved family members. Gina is recognized for veterinary anesthesia and dentistry and loves to attend veterinary conferences to gain continuing education credits to advance her skills and stay current in practice. Gina holds a B.A. in International Political Economy from the University of Puget Sound and an A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology from Pierce College Ft. Steilacoom.
On a daily basis, Gina witnesses the immense value in the human-animal bond due to working in veterinary medicine. Gina currently works as a Licensed Veterinary Technician Supervisor at a general veterinary practice in Seattle. Her favorite part of working in the field is helping her patients have safe anesthetic procedures, getting them home to their beloved family members. Gina is recognized for veterinary anesthesia and dentistry and loves to attend veterinary conferences to gain continuing education credits to advance her skills and stay current in practice. Gina holds a B.A. in International Political Economy from the University of Puget Sound and an A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology from Pierce College Ft. Steilacoom.