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Who We Are

Staff
Lisa Lunghofer

Lisa Lunghofer

Executive Director

Lisa Lunghofer, Ph.D., is Executive Director of Making Good Work and has 20 years of experience working with public sector and nonprofit clients, helping them to create strategic plans, develop logic models, write winning grant proposals, build successful programs, develop evaluation plans, and track outcomes. 

Amanda Grant

Amanda Grant

Administrator

Amanda started volunteering for Grey Muzzle's social media team in 2014 while living in NC, inspired by her senior Chihuahua, Rudy. Amanda has a degree in English with a focus in Creative Writing, and became interested in using her writing skills in the non-profit world.

Nancy Amo

Nancy Amo

Financial Consultant

Nancy is a nonprofit professional who counsels mission driven organizations in the areas of strategy, finance, operations and compliance. Having adopted and raised many dogs into their senior years, Nancy was excited to begin working with the Grey Muzzle team in 2020.  Nancy and her husband, Rich always share their home in Upstate New York with multiple furry friends.

Heather O Hayes

Heather O. Hayes

Director of Marketing & Communications

Heather’s professional career began in architecture after graduating from the College of Design at NC State University, but her lifelong devotion to helping animals led to finding her passion and purpose in animal welfare. As a longtime admirer of Grey Muzzle, Heather is grateful and excited to be part of the team, championing the cause nearest and dearest to her heart—helping senior pets thrive. 

Board of Directors
Denise Fleck

Denise Fleck

President

Denise Fleck was raised by a Great Dane and has spent her life loving animals. As a dog mom to a dozen, she feels there is no greater love than can be found in the adoring eyes of a senior dog. Known as the Pet Safety Crusader™, Fleck has authored a dozen books, written hundreds of articles for pet publications and is the proud recipient of four Maxwell Medallions from the Dog Writers’ Association including “Best Children’s Book.”

Marc Zaretsky

Marc Zaretsky

Vice President

Marc and his wife live in Long Island, New York. Marc is a Vice President with a Construction Management Company in New York City and holds a Business degree, Law degree and MBA from Hofstra University in Long Island.

Kelli Chickos

Kelli Chickos

Secretary

Kelli Chickos is a life-long animal advocate with a soft spot for seniors. For more than two decades, Kelli has volunteered in various capacities for many shelters/rescues, fostered more than 30 pets, adopted nearly 20, and helped animals after natural disasters. She is a former CEO at her local humane society and founded a pet retail shop aimed at raising money and awareness for animal rescue.

Jim Pikula

Jim Pikula

Treasurer

Having grown up in a family that has a love for animals and considers dogs to be a part of the family, Jim is excited and honored to serve as a Board Member of Grey Muzzle. He has been fortunate to be around dogs that have lived full and healthy lives, and understands the needs of animals as they age.

Mark Casias

Mark Casias

Board Member

Mark came to The Grey Muzzle Organization via Mediacurrent for the A11y Accessibility Challenge in 2015 and was so happy with the cause, he joined the Board to help along.

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Gregg Ruvoli

Gregg Ruvoli

Board Member

Gregg is a lifelong animal lover with a passion for improving the lives of senior dogs. He and his wife Kim have raised two super-senior dogs, Kiwi Kai and Kona Bean, who have taught them the secret to a happy life: the unconditional love a pet. Inspired by the memory of Kiwi and his now 18-year-old “puppy” Kona, Gregg feels fortunate to serve on the board of The Grey Muzzle Organization.

Jacki McDonald

Jacki McDonald

Board Member

Jacki graduated from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and began her career in the national television media industry. She was named Sales Person of the Year as well as Top Brand Ambassador, yet decided to make a complete change after 10 years...all for the love of dogs!

Ashley Ackley

Ashley Ackley, DVM, MS, cVMA

Board Member
Dr. Ashley Ackley is a small animal veterinarian and a lover of all creatures, especially the stinky, lumpy, crunchy, and grey faces of senior canine companions. She is thankful that her job allows her to witness the strength of the human-animal bond on a daily basis.
Advisory Board
Dr. Becker

Marty Becker, DVM

Dr. Marty Becker, “America’s Veterinarian” has spent his life working toward better health for pets and the people who love them.

Read more about Marty Becker, DVM
Victoria Stilwell

Victoria Stilwell

Victoria Stilwell is a world-renowned dog trainer best known as the star of the international hit TV series It's Me or the Dog.

Read more about Victoria Stilwell

Mikkel Becker

As the daughter of Dr. Marty Becker, "America's Veterinarian," it was pretty much a given that Mikkel Becker would choose a career working with animals.

Read more about Mikkel Becker

Dr. Ernie Ward

Dr. Ernie Ward is a 1992 graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. He founded an award-winning hospital, Seaside Animal Care, in 1993. 

Read more about Dr. Ernie Ward
Dr. Pia Salk

Dr. Pia Salk

Dr. Pia Salk specializes in social justice and the human-animal bond. You may also recognize Pia as a frequent guest on The Martha Stewart Show and as the spokesperson for www.Adopt-A-Pet.com

Read more about Dr. Pia Salk

Wendy Diamond

Wendy Diamond is Founder/Editorial Director Animal Fair Media and Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, Premier Pet Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate, Social entrepreneur, Humanitarian, Best-selling Author, and TV personality.

Read more about Wendy Diamond

Dean Vicksman, DVM

Dr. Dean Vicksman, a Denver native, graduated with honors from Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1986. 

Read more about Dean Vicksman, DVM

Dr. Julie Buzby, DVM, CAVCA, CVA

After graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Julie Buzby earned certification by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association in 1998, and by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 2002. 

Read more about Dr. Julie Buzby, DVM, CAVCA, CVA
Dr. Cooney and pets

Dr. Kathleen Cooney

Kathleen Cooney, DVM, CHPV, CCFP has been practicing advanced end-of-life care since 2006.

Read more about Dr. Kathleen Cooney

Julie Dudley

Julie Dudley is the founder of The Grey Muzzle Organization, and served as its president from 2008-2012.

 

 

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Dr. Roark

Dr. Andy Roark

Dr. Andy Roark is a practicing veterinarian, international speaker, author, and media personality.

 

 

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Alice Villalobos, DVM, FNAP

Dr. Alice Villalobos was elected 2016 Hermosa Beach Woman of the Year.

 

 

Read more about Alice Villalobos, DVM, FNAP
Laura & Coco

Laura T. Coffey

Laura T. Coffey is a self-avowed dog nut and the author of the bestselling non-fiction book My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts.

Read more about Laura T. Coffey

Steve Dale

Steve Dale is the host of two nationally syndicated radio shows, Steve Dale’s Pet World andThe Pet Minute 

 

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Dr. Steven Wolchinsky

Dr. Wolchinsky, a Brooklyn, New York native, has worked at Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital since 1987. 

 

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Mary Gardner, DVM

Dr. Mary Gardner has a special place in her heart for the skinny, wobbly, grey-muzzled pets.

Read more about Mary Gardner, DVM

Jill Rappaport

Jill Rappaport is an award-winning animal advocate, network journalist and best-selling author. 

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Michael Levitt

Michael’s greatest joy is when he can combine his two worlds of producing and rescuing to make programming that celebrate rescue dogs and the joy they bring to our lives.

Read more about Michael Levitt

Dr. Heidi Lobprise

Dr. Heidi Lobprise graduated from Texas A & M University in 1983 and became a board certified veterinary dentist in 1993. In 2003, she joined the Veterinary Specialty Team of Pfizer Animal Health, and in 2010, she became the Senior Technical Manager for Virbac Corporation. 

Read more about Dr. Heidi Lobprise
Laura Owens and dog

Laura Owens

Laura Owens co-hosts ‘Nobody Told Me!,' one of the top self-improvement podcasts on Apple Podcasts. She credits the many senior rescues she has had over the years with getting her through life’s toughest times. She hopes to spread awareness about the tremendous benefits of adopting older dogs to a younger generation.

Read more about Laura Owens