Maureen Ross, MA, BS, NCC, CPDT, RPP, LTE (Team Quin, Team Brio & Quin) - NH

Founder, Dog Talk LLC (Training and Wellness Sanctuary). Founder of New England Pet Partners, Inc. Author of Awareness Centered Training - ACT, Train Your Dog, Change Your Life, contributor to Children, Dogs and Education and publications on living and learning with dogs. Raising awareness about the benefits of pet assisted therapy has been a life-long passion. She is an active Pet Partner, counselor, business manager and author. She was a Pet Partner Instructor for over 10 years. Currently she is a PP licensed team evaluator. Visit her at Dog Talk LLC,

New England Pet Partners and Facebook".

Gary Ross, ME, RPP, LTE (Team Quin) - NH

Gary is a retired engineering fellow at Raytheon Company. He is a Licensed Team Evaluator for Pet Partners and Treasurer for New England Pet Partners. "I discovered the joy of companion dogs when I met Maureen. I had a cat growing up. Once a canine owned me, the rest is history. In addition to other activities, I am the “techie” and “maintenance” man for the training sanctuary and NEPP that is an operating business. I am Dad to dogs, cat and two parrots". 

Kathleen DeLong, RN, ACLS, RPP, READ w Me (Team Kody) - MA

Kathy is a retired registered nurse at Lowell General Hospital with advanced training in intensive care and infectious diseases. She has presented for New England Pet Partners and Pet Partners on the benefits of pet assisted therapy, education, safety, and infectious disease. She has helped to open several programs over the years. Kathy is a Registered Pet Partner, past Licensed Team Evaluator (12 years) and Director, Volunteer Training at NEPP. In collaboration with health care professionals, she has helped launch pet therapy programs at hospitals, care facilities and schools. Kathy enjoys mentoring new teams - guiding them to create safe and effective pet therapy programs.

Mary Bowler-Blake, RPP, READ w ME (Team Summer) - SC

Mary worked for the Internal Revenue Service for over 35 years and ten years in Assisted Living. Now, she lives in Chapin, SC, but continues to support New England Pet Partners as their secretary. Along with her partner, Summer, she promotes the Pet Partners' Program in SC and continue to visit NEPP in NH. As a past registered pet partner and Licensed Team Evaluation Mary visited regularly with Lady and Sunnie. Mary and Summer are active volunteers at schools, facilities, and universities. They have appeared in WMUR Chronicle, NEPP Presents and Simon’s Mall (Fox, Channel 7 and 5). 

Joan Whitebook, JD, Atty, Realtor - NH

Joan is a part-time Real Estate Agent at Masiello and NEPP’s Chair. She has extensive expertise in board leadership and chambers of commerce. As a former attorney (CA), her legal guidance helps keep NEPP on a forward track with integrity. Joan enjoys classical ballet, psychology, attorney/mediator, and real estate. She has allergies but still enjoys the company of the cats who have shared their lives with Joan.

Liz Harrington - MD

Liz was a teacher for many years. She is the founder of Harrington Consultants – Focusing Safety. She lived and raised her son Mark in NH. She relocated to Maryland and remains close to the NEPPERs as our Facebook Team Group Administrator. She is an experienced educator and volunteer. She has worked with working with rehomed dogs for years including Beckie, Jango and Lando. Learn more about Liz at Facebook. 

Anne Gagnon - MA

Anne is a former Sr. Commercial Lending Representative at Peoples United Bank. Anne became involved with NEPP when taking a class at Dog Talk. She became a registered pet partner in 2008 with Brandy and then Bo. They visited many facilities including New England Pediatrics. Anne enjoys being a board director and mentor for NEPP's teams. For 13 years she helped organize and fund-raise for NEPP’s Pet Wellness Festival. She is a positive influence in the organization. 

Lisa Boyon, BS - NH (Team Zoey) 

Lisa has volunteered for New England Pet Partners, with her daughter Paige, for years. "Hi folks: I have a BS in Marketing from Central Connecticut University. As an executive assistant at Saint Anselm College, I support college advancement with fund-raising efforts. My experience is with focus groups and eczema workshops at Boston Children’s Hospital. I am enthusiastic about whatever I focus my energy on, including speaking at the NH State House to raise awareness about eczema. This resulted in a Proclamation declaring October 2023 an Eczema awareness month in NH. My partner Zoey and I are Registered Pet Partners. I am happy to be a board director for NEPP to share my experience and interest in wanting to have influence with pet assisted therapy." 

Shirley Holdman, Author - MA - Advisor - Honorary Board Member

Shirley is an empowered woman, Emerson Graduate, Chaplin, author and active community leader. She was a Registered Pet Partner team with her Bichon Giggles for years. As the author of several books including The Adventure Series with Giggles and Owen (Amazon), publications on cultural diversity, children, and dogs, Shirley enjoys educating and engaging with like-minded people who enjoy making a difference. As a NEPP Board Director she shares her wisdom of connecting communities for noble causes. 

Susan Zawodniak, Advisor:   

Susan Zawodniak (“Susan Z”) and her cockapoo, Lucy Paris, became a registered Pet Partner® therapy team in 2019, with a focus on Read with Me and Student De-Stress programs. 

Susan is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of SUNY Binghamton; Lucy is a graduate of Puppy Star, Basic Pet, Canine Good Citizen, Clicker Unleashed and Advanced Trick programs at American K9 Country in Amherst, NH. Susan and Lucy volunteer principally at the Bedford Town library, St. Anselm College and Rivier University. Other gigs have included Fidelity Investments and UNH Law School. 

Lucy looks forward to her volunteering opportunities and especially enjoys (when the moment is right) performing her tricks, including her famous pirouette. When not volunteering, Lucy and Susan enjoy road trips, kayaking, hiking and outdoor dining. 

We extend our special thanks and heart-centered gratitude for the support of community, volunteers and board directors (past and present). 

With connection, we are able to make a significant difference. 

Evaluator Assistants and Registered Volunteer Teams are the foundation of Pet Partners. You matter!  

Your donation will help us support our NE Pet Partner community. Every dollar counts and will make a difference.