Our Team

Our Staff

(View our Team of Expert Advisors below)

Rachel Abrams, DVM

Certified Practice Associate

A New England native and a 2002 honors graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Rachel Abrams spent the last 8 years working as a Professional Service Veterinarian for Boehringer Ingelheim. She joined Fear Free on February 1^st as the Practice…

Anita Albert

Web Development Strategist

Anita has a diverse background in many things analytical. She spent a few years in the US Navy fixing anything electronic that exists on an airbase; from ancient radio equipment using tubes to the latest next-generation weather RADAR systems. After living 4 years in Hawaii while in…

Stephanie Bachman

Customer Experience Manager

Steph graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science in 2013. Although she was very interested in the clinical side of veterinary medicine, she knew she would better succeed on the business side of the animal sciences. She enjoyed many different animal focused…

Lexington Becker

Senior Education Specialist

Lexington Becker grew up on the family ranch in far Northern Idaho with a tight-knit family and a deep love of animals. He attended the University of Idaho where he received a degree in International Studies with minors in both Economics and Japanese. Lexington was awarded the Chapman award for…

Dr. Marty Becker, DVM

Founder & CEO

I went to veterinary school to become a dairy practitioner, but after listening to an amazing introductory talk from Dean Leo Bustad about the human animal bond, I switched to a companion animal focus the first hour of the first day of veterinary school….

Mikkel Becker

Head Trainer

Mikkel Becker is a certified trainer, dog behavior counselor and the lead animal trainer for Fear Free. From early life it was undeniably clear that Mikkel’s number one focus was always going to be animals. Mikkel’s childhood consisted of two joys; horses and dogs. Her training career started early…

Lori Chamberland

Education Manager

As the former director of Karen Pryor Academy from February 2014 to April 2018, Lori oversaw KPA’s faculty, staff, operations, and course development. She was a contributing author on KPA’s Better Veterinary Visits, Dog Trainer Foundations, and other online courses. In her…

Stacy Cruz

Strategic Programs Manager

Stacy graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Bioscience in 2010. Starting in high school walking dogs at animal shelters through managing a veterinary clinic, Stacy enjoyed many different positions in veterinary medicine…

Jessica Davis

Marketing & Communications Manager

Jessica graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor’s in Journalism in 2011. Two weeks after graduating, she left her hometown of Columbia, MO, for the bright lights of New York City, intending to secure a job in the glamorous world of glossy magazines. Eventually landing…

Ruth Garcia, MBA

Chief Operating Officer

As the COO of Fear Free, Ruth Garcia is passionate about animals, their emotional wellbeing, and providing the veterinary and pet industry with high-quality, relevant, and engaging education. With over 10 years of successful experience growing and scaling start-up businesses, Ruth thrives on …

Adrian Herrera

Customer Experience Coordinator

Adrian was born in Chicago, Illinois but at a young age moved to Houston, Texas to get away from the blizzarding cold of the windy city. Adrian has had a passion for animals since a young age when he was taken back by the lifestyle being a part of his family’s livestock ranch…

Richele Kaiser

Marketing Coordinator

To help pay for college, Richele worked in the Marketing department for Indiana’s largest privately-owned bank where she quickly learned that Marketing was her niche and where she wanted to find herself in the future. She graduated from the University of Southern Indiana…

Jennifer Merlo, DVM

Practice Certification Manager

Dr Jennifer Merlo originated from New Jersey and graduated from the University of Delaware in 2000 with a degree in Animal Sciences and Biology. She attended Ohio State University for veterinary school and graduated in 2004 with a focus on equine medicine…

Serina Murphy

UX/UI Designer

Serina has always been fascinated by learning about how people think and behave. This led her to studying and earning a bachelor’s in psychology at Santa Clara University and later, earning a Master’s in occupational therapy (OT) from San Jose State University…

Tim Osborn

Web Developer

A lifelong resident of Denver, Colorado Tim worked for the majority of his career in the engineering department for a small manufacturing firm specializing in metal products. After that firm’s first web site turned out less than ideal, he offered to rebuild it after messing around with various web …

Megan Partlo

Education Specialist

Megan attended Olivet College receiving a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual arts, and a concentration in biological illustration with a focus in marketing and business. Megan’s drive and passion for helping others led her into an executive directorship position at Clothing INC…

Megan Quinn

Customer Experience Coordinator

Born and raised in Colorado, Megan grew up with a deep love for nature and animals. She began her career in animal welfare in 2014 when she took a position as a caretaker for service dogs in training. She later transitioned to the Denver Dumb Friends League, where she worked in animal care and adoptions…

Rachel Ro Bear

Customer Experience Coordinator / Certified Practice Associate

Rachel’s working life began in a bookstore. Despite loving everything about books and helping people find books to love, she realized she wanted to do something more impactful. This brought her to the field of developmental disabilities, where she had the privilege of working with many amazing …

Bruce Truman

Chief Commercial Officer

Bruce is a pet technology business executive with expertise in business development, healthcare informatics, virtual care, e-commerce and emerging digital technologies. His background includes marketing & sales management of veterinary and OTC animal health products…

Behavior (Boarded Veterinary Behaviorists):

Julie Albright, MA, DVM, DACVB

Melissa Bain, DVM, DACVB, MS, DACAW (Welfare)

Kelly C. Ballantyne, DVM, DACVB, CABC

Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, DACVB

Christine Calder, DVM, DACVB

Dr E'Lise Christensen, DVM, DACVB

John Ciribassi, DVM, DACVB

Leticia M. S. Dantas, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVB, Certified Fear Free Professional, Member of the Fear Free Advisory Board, Clinical Assistant Professor @ Behavioral Medicine Service, University of Georgia

Isabelle Demontigny-Bedard, DVM, DACVB

Theresa DePorter, DVM, MRCVS, DECAWBM, DACVB

Marion Desmarchelier, DVM, MSc, DACZM, DECZM (Zoo Health Management), DACVB

Margaret M. Duxbury, DVM, DACVB

Ariel Fagen, DVM, DACVB

Margaret Gruen, DVM, PhD, DACVB

Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB

Lynn Honeckman, DVM, DACVB

Marie Hopfensperger, DVM, DACVB

Debra Horwitz, DVM, DACVB

Dr Valerie Jonckheer-Sheehy, MVB, MRCVS, MScLAS, RCVS(CertWEL), Dip. ECAWBM (BM), Dip. ECAWBM (AWSEL)

Mary Klinck, BSc, DVM, DACVB

Colleen Koch, DVM, DACVB

Gary Landsberg, DVM, MRCVS, DACVB, DECAWBM

Emily Levine, DVM, DACVB

Ellen Lindell, VMD, DVM, DACVB

Amy Marder, DVM, DACVB

Kenneth Martin, DVM, DACVB

Kelly Moffat, DVM, DACVB

Niwako Ogata, BVSc, PhD, DVM, DACVB

Jillian Orlando, DVM, DACVB

Chis Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC

Valli Parthasarathy, PhD, DVM, DACVB

Amy L. Pike, DVM, DACVB, IAABC-CABC

Lisa Radosta, DVM, DACVB

Marsha Reich, DVM, DACVB

Barbara Sherman, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB, DACAW (Welfare)

Elizabeth Shull, DVM, DACVB, DACVIM-Neurology

Carlo Sirasusa, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVB, DECAWBM

Meredith Stepita, DVM, DACVB

Beth Strickler, MS, DVM, DACVB

Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB

Valarie Tynes, DVM, DACVB, Diplomate American College of Animal Welfare

Karen Van Haaften, DVM, DACVB

Residents:

Fiia Jokela, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline), Resident of the ACVB under the tutelage of Dr. Ciribassi

Sun A. Kim, DVM

Valli Parthasarathy, DVM

Ori Orion Stollar, MSc, DVM, 3rd-year ACVB Resident, Veterinary Behavior Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University

Andrea Tu, DVM

Behavior (Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists or PhD behaviorists):

Marc Bekoff, PhD

Mikel Delgado, PhD

Gerrard Flannigan, DVM, MSc. (applied animal behavior), DACVB

Robin Foster, PhD, CAAB, CHBC

Susan G, Friedman, PhD

Noa Harell, B.Sc. (Hons.), DVM Specialist, Companion Animal Behavior Medicine (by Israeli Ministry of Agriculture)

Helen Jurchisin, DVM

Jacqui Ley, BVSc (Hons), PhD, DECAWBM, FANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour)

Ellen Mahurin, MA, ACAAB

Sylvie Neis, DVM

Jessica Pierce, PhD

Ken Ramirez, Executive VP and Chief Training Officer Karen Pryor Clicker Training

Traci A. Shreyer, MA

Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB

Zazie Todd, PhD, MFA, MSc, PGCLTHE, BSc, CTC, iCatCare, CertFB

Camille Ward, M.S., M.S., PhD, CAAB

Steven Zawistowski, PhD, CAAB Emeritus Adjunct Professor of Animal Behavior and Conservation, Hunter College

Behavior (VTS-Behavior):

Monique Feyrecilde, BA, LVT, VTS (Behavior)

Jennie Fiendish, CVT, VTS (Behavior), CPDT-KA, CTDI

Alicea Howell, LVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA CTP

Rachel M. Lees, RVT, KPA CTP, VTS (Behavior)

Debbie Martin, LVT, VTS (Behavior), Elite Fear Free Certified Professional, Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and Faculty Emeritus Certified Professional Dog Trainer- KA

Ginny Price, AS Veterinary Technology, AA (SPC), BA Psychology, MS Psychology, VTS (Behavior)

Marcia Rafter Ritchie, LVT, CPST-KA, VTS (Behavior)

Linda Ryan, BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour & Welfare, VTS (Behaviour & Oncology), DipAVN (Medical), KPA-CTP, RVN, CCAB, Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist - ASAB accredited (Cats & Dogs)

Amanda Schwarzwalder, RVT, KPA CTP, VTS (Behavior)

Julie Shaw, KPA-CTP, RVT, VTS (Behavior)

Melisa Spooner, LVT, VTS (Behavior), BS, KPA-CTP

Sherrie L. Yuschak, RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA-CTP

Anesthesia, Sedation, & Pain Management:

Sharon Campbell, DVM, MS, DACVIM

Andrea Caniglia, VMD, DACVAA

Robin Downing, DVM, MS (Bioethics) Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

James Gaynor, DVM, DACVA, DACVPM

Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, DACVAA

Margaret Gruen, DVM, PhD, DACVB

Ralph Harvey, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVAA

Ross Palmer, DVM, MS

Mike Petty, DVM

Architecture/Design:

Heather E. Lewis, AIA, NCARB, AAA

Vicki Pollard, AIA, CVT

Jyothi Robertson, DVM

Avian:

Don J Harris, DVM

Greg Harrison, DVM

Brenda Speer, DVM. DABVP (Avian practice), DECZM (Avian)

Dentistry:

Jan Bellows, DVM, Diplomate American Veterinary Dental College, Diplomate American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Canine/Feline)

Mary L. Berg, BS, LATG, RVT, VTS (Dentistry)

Andrea Caniglia, VMD, DACVAA

Darin Dell, BS, DVM, DACVD, Medical Director, Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital

Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC

Dermatology:

Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS

John Angus, DVM, DACVD

Paul Bloom, DVM, DACVD, DABVP (Canine/Feline)

Lauren Demos, DVM, DACVD

Thomas Lewis II, DVM, DACVD

Emergency & Critical Care:

Tony Johnson, DVM, DACVECC

Heather Loenser, DVM, DACVECC

Ken Yagi, VTS-EMCC

Enrichment:

Elizabeth Bales, DVM

Tony Buffington, DVM, PhD, ACVN

Steve Dale, CABC Media, Behavior

Mikel Delgado, PhD

Finance:

Louise Dunn, owner and CEO of Snowgoose Veterinary Management Consulting

Gary Glassman, CPA

Bruce Truman, MBA

Denise Tumblin, CPA

Fritz Wood, CFP

Higher Education:

Jennifer Johnson, DVM

Dennis McCurnin, DVM, MS, DACVS

Bryan Slinker, PhD, DVM

Internal Medicine:

Sharon Campbell, DVM, MS, DACVIM

Steve Ettinger, DVM, DACVIM, FACC, FAHA

Sue Ettinger, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)

Brenda Griffin, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DABVP, Elite Fear Free Certified Professional, Fear Free Certified Trainer

Fiia Jokela, DVM

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Internal Medicine), ABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)

Zenithson Ng, DVM, MS, DABVP (Canine/Feline)

Shelly Olin, DVM, DACVIM

Legal:

Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton, AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) Certified Workplace Wellbeing Expert

Jim Wilson, DVM, JD

Medical Specialties:

Stacie Boswell, DVM, DACVS-LA

Sue Ettinger, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)

Kendall Harr, DACVP

Mike Lappin, DVM, PhD, DACVIM

Rick LeCouteur, BVSc, PhD, DACVIM (Neurology), Professor Emeritus, Neurology & Neurosurgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, College of Veterinary Medicine

Joerg Mayer, DVM, MSc, DABVP (ECM), DECZM (SM), DACZM

Dennis McCurnin, DVM, MS, DACVS

Fred Metzger, DVM, MRCVS, DABVP

Richard C. Nap, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECVS & Dipl. ECVSN, Actively Retired

Greg Ogilvie, DVM, DACVIM (Specialties of Internal Medicine, Oncology), Diplomate ECVIM-CA (Oncology)

Ross Palmer, DVM, MS, DACVS, Professor at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Simon Platt, BVM&S MRCVS Diplomate, DACVIM (Neurology), ECVN

Megan Ridley, DVM, VCA, CCRT, CVSMT

Narda Robinson, DO, DVM, MS, FAAMA

Nutrition:

Tony Buffington, DVM, PhD, ACVN

Kara Burns, VTS-Nutrition

Ophthalmology:

Brady Beale, VMD, DACVO

Lisa Felchle, DVM, DACVO

Practice Management & Implementation:

Jonathan Bloom, DVM

Debbie Boone, BS, CCS, CVPM

Nan Boss, DVM

Louise Dunn, owner and CEO of Snowgoose Veterinary Management Consulting

Michelle Forbes, DVM

Bash Halow, CVPM, LVT, Owner, Halow Consulting

Michael Hargrove, DVM, MBA, VCA

Gretchen Hutt, DVM

Patty Khuly, VMD, MBA

Clayton MacKay, DVM, Veterinary Consulting

Natalie L. Marks, DVM, CVJ

Richard C. Nap, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECVS & Dipl. ECVSN, Actively Retired

Dr Tracy Paukette, DVM

Heather Prendergast, RVT, CVPM

Kathyrn Primm, DVM

Julie Reck, DVM

Megan Van Paris, DVM, DACVIM

Rehabilitation:

Megan Ridley, DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVSMT

Senior Care, Hospice & Euthanasia:

Kathleen Cooney, DVM, MS, CHPV

Mary Craig, DVM, MBA

Kristi Freeman, DVM (focusing on End of Life)

Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DACVD

Alice Villalobos, DVM, FNAP

Shelter Medicine:

Mark Goldstein, DVM

Brenda Griffin, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DABVP, Elite Fear Free Certified Professional, Fear Free Certified Trainer

Mike Lappin, DVM, PhD, DACVIM

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Internal Medicine), ABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)

Kris Otteman, ABVP, Diplomate Shelter Medicine, CAWA

Training:

Margie Alonso, CDBC, CPDT, KPA CTP

Mikkel Becker, Lead Animal Trainer for Fear Free Pets, CBCC-KA, CDBC, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, CTC, Fear Free Certified, BA Comm, Co-author of From Fearful to Fear Free

Robin Bennett, CPDT-KA

Ayelet Berger, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA

Michelle Borchardt, RVT, KPA-CTP

Ann-Margaret Frank, CVT, RVT, KPA-CTP

Sarah Hodgson, IAABC, APDT, PPG

Alicea Howell, LVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA CTP

Rachel Lees, RVT, KPA CTP, VTS (Behavior)

Debbie Martin, LVT, VTS (Behavior), Elite Fear Free Certified Professional, Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and Faculty Emeritus, Certified Professional Dog Trainer- KA

Ken McCort, APDT, IAABC, Wolf Pack

Sylvie Neis, DVM

Bradley Phifer, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KSA

Ken Ramirez, Executive VP and Chief Training Officer Karen Pryor Clicker Training

Marcia Rafter Ritchie, LVT, CPST-KA, VTS (Behavior)

Virginia Rudd, CVT

Amanda Schwarzwalder, RVT, KPA CTP, VTS (Behavior)

Julie Shaw, KPA-CTP, RVT, VTS (Behavior)

Leslie Sinn, CPDT-KA, DVM, DACVBA, Behavior Solutions

Nanette Walker Smith, Med, RVT, CVT, LVT

Melisa Spooner, LVT, VTS (Behavior), BS, KPA-CTP

Laura Monaco Torelli, KPA, CTP/Faculty, CPDT-KA

At Large:

Lynn Bahr, DVM, CEO, Dezi & Roo, Parliamentarian, Society Veterinary Medical Ethics Woman of Influence, Pet Age 2018

Charlotte Biggs, CPACO

Phil Blizzard, ThunderShirts CEO & Founder

Susan Briggs, MA, CPACO

Josh Cary, PetSittingOlogy Founder

Tad Coles, DVM, CPS, CCFP, CPS, CCFP

Mindy Cotton, LVT

Bernadine Cruz, DVM, CVJ

Christie Keith, Communications and Social Media Consultant

Kim Kendall, BVSc

Brenda Klaunberg, MS, VMD

Julie Legred, CVT

Kristen Levine, Pet Advocate and creator of Pet Living

Patty Moran, CPPS

Charlie Powell, Public Information Officer

Susan Raymond, DVM

Jalessa Scott, DVM

Tonya Sparks, DVM, Microbiology, CVA

Sarah Wooten, DVM, AVJ

Nicole Zacharias, CVT