Board Members

NAIA Board and Advisory Board

NAIA's board members are volunteers from a wide variety of animal fields, including dog and cat associations and sports, animal agriculture, rodeo, medical research, veterinary medicine, wildlife management and hunting associations, entertainment and education. They are distinguished and respected members of their respective communities and serve without compensation in support of NAIA’s mission and goals. We are honored by their service.


	Caren Cowan Caren Cowan is the former executive director of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA) where she served more than 19 years. Prior to her service there, she served in the same position for the New Mexico Wool Growers, Inc. In 2009 Cowan purchased the New Mexico Stockman Magazine and the Livestock Market Digest which she currently publishes. Cowan’s work for New Mexico’s livestock industry has included representation at the New Mexico Legislature and on Capitol Hill on issues ranging from federal land use to animal health and trade. Cowan was reared on a commercial beef ranch in Cochise County, Arizona, some of which she and her sister still own. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a B.S. in agricultural communications. She writes a monthly column, “To The Point,” in the New Mexico Stockman Magazine. Her book, No Home On The Range --- Diary of an Executive Cowgirl was published in 2003.

	Wendy Davis Wendy Davis is the Associate Coordinator of the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program. Her teaching responsibilities include coursework focusing on the management of racing animals, form and function of race and sport horses, and racing marketing/media – a course that includes a strong animal issue component, including the effect the animal rights organizations have on racing. Wendy serves on a number of national racing boards and committees including the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit’s Education and Licensing Committee, The Racing Officials Accreditation Program, Groom Elite (an educational program for race track grooms as well as inmates at facilities that care for retired racehorses) and the American Horse Council’s Research Committee. She continues to actively compete in the hunter/jumper discipline, many times with her off-the-track thoroughbreds.

	Nancy Fisk, Chair, AKC Delegates Legislative Caucus Before relocating to the Northern Neck area of Virginia, Nancy was the owner of Wishing Well Kennel, an all-breed boarding kennel located in Massachusetts. She continues to actively breed and show Akitas and Beagles under the kennel name of “Akiko”. She is the AKC Delegate for the Hockamock Kennel Club and a board member and legislative liaison for the Langley Kennel Club in Virginia. Nancy has also had a long involvement in the horse world. Growing up she enjoyed riding, showing, and fox hunting, earning her colors with the Millwood Hunt Club. For many years she and her husband Heath Fisk owned and operated a busy Hunter/Jumper boarding and training stable in Bedford, Massachusetts. For nearly twenty-eight years Nancy was Director of Riding at the Dana Hall School in Wellesley, MA which catered to community, as well as many Boston area colleges. Students from the school successfully competed at the “A” level horse show competitions throughout the Northeast. Though retired from the horse world she has carried her devotion to the human-animal bond forward into her very active life involving dogs.

	Arnold L. Goldman DVM, MS, MPH Dr. Arnold L. Goldman owns Canton Animal Hospital LLC in Canton, CT, and is president of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Foundation. He developed the CTSART disaster response program and the Companions-in-Crisis domestic violence program. Since 2004 Dr. Goldman has served on a variety of emergency preparedness and response committees, task forces and workgroups at the local, state and national levels. He also serves on the board of directors of the National Alliance of State Animal & Agricultural Emergency Programs, Americans for Medical Progress, and is currently the AVMA Delegate from Connecticut. Dr. Goldman was instrumental in the passage of Connecticut Public Act 07-11, mandating evacuation of household pets in disasters. For this accomplishment, the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association named Dr. Goldman 2008 Veterinarian-of-the-Year. In 2011 he led the passage of Connecticut Public Act 11-187, which gave the Connecticut Department of Agriculture control over the burgeoning animal importation industry. Dr. Goldman is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, and is a life member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He speaks frequently on a variety of issues regarding animal welfare and veterinary medicine.

	Dr. Betsy Greene Dr. Greene is a Professor of Animal Science and Extension Equine Specialist in the Animal Science Department at the University of Vermont. She teaches several courses related to equine science, and also works as an adviser to undergraduate students. She has authored several publications focusing on preventative care and maintenance for horse health, safety, equine business, and pasture management, and recently received the Equine Science Award from the American Association of Animal Science and Equine Science Society. In 2010, Dr. Greene was one of four chosen to participate in the American Horse Protection Association Independent Observer Pilot Program pursuant to their mission to protect and preserve America's wild horses and burros on US public rangelands and to ensure the humane care and handling of animals removed from the range by Bureau of Land Management contractors and personnel. She presented outcomes at the 2011 International Society of Equitation Sciences meetings held in the Netherlands.

	Dr. Marty Greer, DVM, JD, NAIA Board Chair Dr Greer has run the Veterinary Village Small Animal Clinic in Wisconsin since 1982, and International Canine Semen Bank-Wisconsin/Illinois since 2002. She works extensively with clients who breed and compete with their dogs. She frequently lectures on canine reproduction and published “Canine Reproduction and Neonatology”, a book for veterinary professionals and breeders. In 2010, Dr. Greer completed her JD at Marquette University and is involved with Animal Legal Resources LLC. She has served on the Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board and AVMA Judicial Council.

	Patte Klecan Patte Klecan has had a lifelong interest in animals. Today she is involved in canine legislation and the movement to protect pet owners' rights. Patte is a dog fancier who raises and shows Bouvier des Flandres and owns a professional grooming business.

	Jack McDaniel Jack McDaniel has been involved with animals and farming for a great part of his life. Originally a farmer and rancher, he then moved onto dogs, forming the Academy of Canine Behavior in Bothell, Washington. The Academy has had over 77,000 dogs through its doors, 30 employees, and continues to grow. He has authored two books with his wife dealing with real-world solutions to dog behavior issues (Pooches and Small Fry, Parenting Skills for Dogs and Kids). He has also raised Quarter Horses and competed in cutting horse events. Jack has long had an interest in Animal Welfare based on reasonable laws and served on the board of the Grant County, WA Humane Society for several years. He also just completed a nine-year position on the Snohomish County WA Animal Advisory Board, has been an AKC Delegate for the IWSCA, and served as that club's President in the past.


	Julian Prager NAIA’s Legal Analyst and Legislative Coordinator, has helped us in countless ways during his service, acting as an advisor on numerous legal and legislative issues, analyzing legislation, drafting amendments when necessary, helping draft model legislation and speaking at conferences. In addition to his valuable role at NAIA, Julian is a Bulldog breeder and exhibitor, an AKC Delegate and judge who is licensed as an attorney in NY. He has been a Counselor for the Bulldog Club of America, a member of the PA Dog Law Advisory Board, and worked as a member of the National Policy Staff in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in USDA as a subject matter expert on dogs under the Animal Welfare Act. Julian serves as the Legislative Chairman for the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs where his leadership was a key ingredient in gaining reasonable changes in the Pennsylvania Dog Law. In his professional career, he held several Commissioner-level positions in NYC government and was the General Counsel and Executive Director of New York City Animal Care and Control, where he negotiated an agreement with the Mayor's Alliance for NYC Animals to reduce euthanasia rates and increase placement rates by the City. In its fourth year as a Maddie's Fund project, this effort has increased adoptions by 96% and reduced total deaths by 49% from the base year. He has been a panel member at the Animal Law Conference of the PA Bar Institute. Julian's unique background makes him a tremendous asset to NAIA where he offers advice on a range of very complex and specialized issues.

	Barbara Reichman Barbara Reichman, NAIA's Shelter Project Director, has been working on NAIA’s Shelter Project since its inception. The Shelter Project is a work in progress; finding, collecting and entering shelter data from shelters and rescues across the country. It is the largest database of its kind, and the only free source of shelter data information that is available to policymakers, the media, and the public. She acquired her first well-bred Golden Retriever over twenty years ago and serves as the Legislative Chair for the Golden Retriever Club of America In addition, she is the Legislative Liaison for Schooley’s Mountain Kennel Club and the Garden State Golden Retriever Club. She is the first two-time recipient of the Walter Bebout Memorial Award given by the American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department, "For Leadership in Canine Legislation", receiving it in 2014 and 2017. Barbara represents NAIA on the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance.

	Cindy Schonholtz Cindy is the General Manager of the St. Paul, Oregon PRCA Rodeo, the Nation’s Greatest 4th of July Rodeo. She joined the St. Paul Rodeo team on May 1, 2017 as their first general manager. Her prior experience included 19 years with Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in various capacities. She served as the President/CEO of the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, a non-profit dedicated to providing need-based financial assistance to injured rodeo athletes and their families. Additionally she was the Director of Industry Outreach where networked with other agriculture and animal use groups and managed the PRCA’s government relations program. She worked extensively on the PRCA's award winning Livestock Welfare Program insuring the proper care and handling of livestock at PRCA sanctioned events. In addition to serving on the board of the National Animal Interest Alliance, Cindy is the President of the Animal Welfare Council and is a member of the Public Policy Committee for the American Quarter Horse Association. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. .

	Dr. John Richard Schrock Richard is a Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biological Sciences at Emporia State University where he continues to serve on graduate faculty. After teaching high school biology for 10 years, he earned his doctorate in entomology from the University of Kansas. He directed the biology teacher training program at E.S.U. from 1986 to 2016 and is editor of the Kansas School Naturalist and Kansas Biology Teacher. He spends substantial time assisting teacher training programs in a China that is undergoing modernization. He defends appropriate animal use in education, working with researchers and school administrators, as well as providing commentaries in newspapers and on radio. He is author of several books including Controlled Wildlife: State Wildlife Regulations.

	Bill Shelton A lifelong dog lover, Bill is a respected coordinator and participant in canine sports and award-winning breeder of Pembroke Welsh Corgis. His hands-on experience and dedication to canine health and preservation has helped make him a world-class educator and ambassador for purpose bred dogs.

	Sharon Steckler, Attorney at Law and CPA, NAIA Treasurer Sharon is a licensed attorney in Texas, as well as a Certified Public Accountant. She is a member of the Fort Bend County Bar Association and is admitted to practice before the US Tax Court. As a long time animal welfare advocate, Sharon was a founder of the Houston Animal Welfare Coalition, and a spokesperson and advocate for the rights of responsible animal owners. Sharon is a member of numerous AKC clubs, where she serves in board and officer positions, including the American Boxer Club.

	Kim Stout, President of Coastal Pet Products — NAIA Secretary Kim Stout is President of Coastal Pet Products, a family-owned business that has been manufacturing pet products since 1968. A graduate of Ohio State with an education specialization from Rhode Island School of Design, Kim was an educator before moving into the family business. Married, but allergic to children, Kim and her husband are avid cat lovers. Kim grew up on a petting farm, as her father would say, with ferrets, rabbits, goats and the odd wild animal that their grandfather would find injured and needing care. One of her most memorable hobbies was the family’s involvement with sled dog racing. They raised Siberian Huskies, which are the best winter loving pets. The family spent many snowy weekends with the Canton Siberian Husky Club, ISDRA series, drinking hot chocolate and playing with dogs.

	Patti Strand, NAIA President Patti is a recognized expert and consultant on contemporary animal issues, most notably responsible dog ownership and the animal rights movement. She often appears on radio and television and her articles on canine issues, animal welfare, public policy and animal rights have appeared in major US news publications and in trade, professional and scientific journals. Patti and her husband Rod co-authored The Hijacking of the Humane Movement: Animal Extremism in 1993, the first US book exposing the extremism of the animal rights movement. Patti has been a Dalmatian breeder and enthusiast since 1969, is an approved AKC judge and was a member of the AKC Board of Directors from 1995 through 2011. She holds a degree in political science from Portland State University.

	Ellen Yamada Ellen Yamada has been actively involved in various phases of dogs for over 45 years. Using her background in genetics she has bred over 78 champions with several best in shows, top producers, national specialty winners and number one standard schnauzers. Ellen has been in the trenches fighting animal rights extremism in California from the beginning. She travels abroad with her husband Burt and has been struck by the effect animal rights has had on legislation in various countries. In addition to raising dogs and kids, Ellen has been a real estate investor, custom home builder and farm manager. She has also written many articles for The AKC Gazette, Dog News, Canine Chronicle and breed publications. Her BA was from UCLA and her MS from Cal State University SB.

NAIA DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC OUTREACH

Cindy Buckmaster, PhD, CMAR, RLATG
Dr. Buckmaster is an active and passionate advocate for animal welfare and biomedical progress. She speaks regularly on the necessary role animals play in biomedical progress and educates audiences internationally about the highly trained Laboratory Animal Science professionals who have dedicated their lives to caring work with research animals and to the animal and human beneficiaries of the results of their work. Dr. Buckmaster completed her doctoral degree in Neurobiology and Behavior at SUNY Stony Brook and is the Director of the research animal care program at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. She serves on the boards of several research advocacy and professional organizations, including the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science, Americans for Medical Progress, and the Texas Society for Biomedical Research. Dr. Buckmaster is committed to educating the public on the distinction between animal welfare and animal rights and believes, wholeheartedly, that animals and people cannot survive without each other: she will draw her final breath defending the human-animal bond.

NAIA ADVISORY BOARD

	Dr. Mary Burch, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Certified Animal Behavior Consultant Dr. Mary Burch is the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Director. She is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, one of less than 100 in the United States, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (the human end of the leash). Dr. Burch has trained dogs to the advanced levels of obedience and is an international expert on the topic of therapy dogs. She is a prolific columnist and the author of eight books including Volunteering with Your Pet, How Dogs Learn, and the award-winning Citizen Canine. She also lectures at universities and colleges, gives presentations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe, and makes numerous radio and television appearances. Dr. Burch is a founding member of the Animal Trainer's Forum in the Association for Behavior Analysis. Dr. Burch has also been a lobbyist on legislation pertaining to dangerous dogs and responsible dog ownership. She served as member of a county Animal Control's "Dangerous Dog Committee," determining if dogs were to be declared dangerous and the course of action.

NAIA EDITOR
	Norma Bennett Woolf Norma has been an invaluable asset to NAIA throughout our history. She has served as NAIA editor, written countless articles, edited NAIA's Animal Policy Review from 1993-2004 and contributed to the website content of NAIA and Discover Animals. Norma and her husband Tom published Dog Owner's Guide, a regional newspaper for pet and show dog owners from 1991-2004 and currently maintain the Dog Owners Guide. Norma's writing has earned top honors from professional associations like Dog Writers Association of America. In addition to supporting the human-animal bond through her writing, Norma has served in major offices and roles with her Cincinnati-area all-breed club, taught public dog training classes for nearly two decades at a local obedience club, and served as an AKC legislative liaison in Ohio. She is a past secretary and current legislative co-chair for the Canaan Dog Club of America.

NAIA PRESIDENT EMERITUS AND FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
	Adrian Morrison, DVM, PhD Dr. Adrian Morrison was a founding member of NAIA and one of its first presidents. Adrian earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1960 from Cornell University. Soon after earning his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, he began to focus his post-doctoral research efforts on the mechanisms of sleep. He has published more than 110 papers on sleep-related topics and has edited five books. Adrian has been the recipient of awards from a host of organizations: these include the Distinguished service Award from the Society for Neuroscience in 1990 and the Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1991. He has distinguished himself worldwide as a scientist and as a champion for biomedical research and for all others who responsibly utilize animals.

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