Susan is a renowned sculptor in the United States and abroad and is both the sculptor and visionary for this Memorial. She is grateful for the wonderful people she has met through her work and travels. Susan has had a lifelong passion for animals and loved exhibiting her beloved champion Afghan Hounds in her 20s. She also has extensive experience in breeding and served as a judge at many dog shows.

Susan received her BFA at New York University, worked at CBS-TV in New York City, and later had her own retail business before focusing full-time on her professional art career 34 years ago. She was on the Executive Board of Critter Lovers at Work in the San Francisco Bay area and was a Co-Chair of the celebrated Bark and Whine Ball in support of shelter animals.

Susan has a very close family, including 3 children and 3 granddaughters. She is married to her very supportive husband Ken, an architect, general contractor and developer, with whom she often collaborates on building projects.

Susan has always had at least one dog and currently has an 11-year-old 6-lb Maltipoo rescue that has brought immeasurable joy into her home. She enjoys walking, hiking, skiing, and traveling.

George grew up on a working farm in western Pennsylvania and cared for military canines at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX while in college. For more than thirty years, he has been a systems-oriented and organizational change leader working in non-profit and for-profit environments that include public service entities, health care, higher education, and corporations. He has also worked with foundations, family-owned businesses, and individuals with strategic needs. With a strengths-based perspective, he endeavors to clarify desired results and inspire strategic focus and innovative change through shared vision, essential alignment, effective communication, healthy financial management, and creative partnerships.

In early 2016 George joined the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) as Executive Director/CEO to oversee the completion of construction and orchestrate the operational transition to a 125 acre National Training Center campus in Santa Paula, CA. He was also tasked with guiding financial and strategic planning processes, enhancing and advancing philanthropic endeavors, nourishing and strengthening team dynamics, creatively engaging with the board of directors, and expanding the services provided by SDF. The campus has expanded to 145 acres and George is currently the CEO.

In January 2023, George was invited to join the Board of the National Service Animals Memorial (NSAM) at the invitation of Susan Bahary. He has been inspired by her artistic creations for many years and is looking forward to contributing to the creation of this service animals memorial in the Washington, DC area.

Pam is motivated by her desire to make the world a better place. She has been working in non-profit accounting for over 20 years and has volunteered for many non-profits as well including the PTA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and sports clubs.

Professionally, Pam has worked in various industries including hotels, high school exchange programs, construction, and the stock industry. She has a BA in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara.

Pam’s most rewarding job has been raising her four children. She is committed to her family and has been happily married for over 30 years. Their family has also included many rescued and fostered animals over the years- dogs, cats, bearded dragons, fish, and birds – usually a large combination of all of these. She enjoys golf, pickleball, walking, and hiking.

Nigel Allsopp is an author and expert on war and service animals as well as captive zoo animal management. He is the founder of one of the world’s largest war animal charities which ensures the deeds and sacrifices of four legged soldiers are not forgotten via the establishment of memorials internationally. This charity also provides veterans with therapy animals, including PTSD Equine and Dog programs.

As a passionate and engaging speaker, Nigel shares a wealth of knowledge from his 15 years as a military working dog handler in the Royal New Zealand Air Force Police and years of practical and researched experiences. His expertise is called upon by the Defense Department and government agencies such as Veterans Affairs, Returned serviceman’s associations. Nigel has also lectured at notable institutions, universities and museums around the world.

Nigel is a published author of 14 books including an international best seller, Cry Havoc: the history of war dogs, which has been published in three languages. He also holds the honor of being the recipient of Australia’s 2017 RSL ANZAC of the Year Award.

Marcia is retired after a varied work career including at St. Louis University in St Louis, MO where she served as associate editor of Communication Research Trends for the Jesuit international Center for the Study of Communication & Culture. Marcia was a founding member & first Chair of the SLU Staff Advisory Committee, creating its mission statement, charter & bylaws still in use 25+ years later.

She was also a founding member of a national dog rescue, writing its bylaws & serving as treasurer & at large member of the board for 8+ years, while fostering & placing many rescues in their new forever homes.

She’s one of William A. Wynne’s nine children. Bill owned Smoky, a 4lb Yorkshire Terrier, a WWII war dog hero, Yank Magazine’s Mascot of the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations as well as the 1st therapy dog of record (Animal Planet). Marcia assisted her father in publishing his memoir, Yorkie Doodle Dandy (1996) & continued to assist him with pc technical & software issues until his death at 99 years in April 2021. She continues to help out with Smoky War Dog LLC.

Marcia & her Dad first met Susan Bahary in 1996 at the opening of the Dogs of War exhibit at the AKC Museum of the Dog where Susan’s “Always Faithful” was featured. In 2007, Susan’s life-sized bronze “Smoky in her helmet” was unveiled in the Rocky River Reservation of Cleveland Metro Parks.

Marcia, her Dad & family have long recognized the need for our nation to recognize & honor animals who serve, as well as their handlers. Its an honor to be involved in bringing this memorial to our nation’s capitol.

Marcia graduated with a BA from St. Louis University, Summa Cum Laude in 1997 & completed most of the course work for a MA in Communication. She’s published articles on rescue stories in the dog rescue newsletter & national dog magazines.

Marla Schneidman is an Executive Talent Acquisition Partner who has been inspiring exceptional talent to join innovative and growing companies for 20+ years. She is passionate and enthusiastic about engaging with visionary business leaders and using her cross-cultural communication skills and charisma to share exciting corporate stories as well as career-defining opportunities with executive professionals around the globe. Marla’s experience includes in-house corporate recruiting, executive search, and global mobility for VC backed start-ups and F500 organizations across a variety of sectors including biotechnology, construction, energy, retail, and technology. She has lived, worked, and travelled in the UK, Ireland, Eastern & Western Europe, Asia, and Israel. Marla was born and raised in San Francisco and currently lives in Marin County. She has two children, Naomi and Noah, and a black cat, Nabu. She has an MA in International Development from the School of International Service at American University in Washington, DC and a BA in Communications with a minor in French Literature from the University of California, San Diego. Marla enjoys playing tennis, hiking, cooking, and speaking French when her accent feels like cooperating.

David has served as the co-host of NBC’s National Dog Show Presented by Purina since its inception in 2002. With his partner, John O’Hurley, he is seen every Thanksgiving Day by more than 20 million viewers, the largest TV audiences for any dog show. It is the same role that David perfected in 27 years as the longtime (1990-2016) co-host of USA Network’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

A breeder-owner-handler and judge in the world of purebred dogs for more than 40 years, he has enjoyed much competitive success in the show ring with his Afghan Hounds, Brittanys and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

But his true passion comes from the work that David and his dogs have been doing over the past 20-plus years as therapy dog teams at the Ronald McDonald House and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and at New York’s VA Medical Center (visiting David’s fellow veterans). Currently David and his Cavalier, True Dat, visit at the Seattle VA Hospital.

In 2004, he became founder and president of a 501(c)3 charity, Angel On A Leash, creating and advocating for therapy dog programs in many places around the country. David’s award-winning second book, Angel On A Leash (named after the charity), is his view of his world of therapy dogs and his life in dogs.

In 2018, David was named to the prestigious Dog Writers Association of America’s Hall of Fame. In 2015, Dog Fancy magazine, in its final issue, included him in a retrospective, “45 People Who Changed the Dog World.”

Kerry Mazzoni is a former member of the California State Assembly serving from 1994-2000 when she was retired from office due to term-limits. As a member of the State Assembly she served as the Chair of the Assembly Education Committee and as the Chair of the Women’s Legislative Caucus. She also served as the Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures Education Committee. After her tenure in the legislature she was appointed Governor Gray Davis’ Secretary of Education advising him on all education policies from early childhood education through higher education. Prior to her election to the State Assembly she served on the Novato Unified School District Board of Trustees where she served twice as President during her 7 years on the board.

After her tenure in Governor Gray Davis’ cabinet, Kerry and her daughter Casey Mazzoni started their own consulting business advising and representing clients in the areas of construction, housing and education.

Kerry has always been active in her community serving on numerous non-profit boards, commissions and committees, often with a focus on education. She has received many awards and commendations for her service at the local, state and national level. Currently she is enjoying retirement in San Rafael, California spending time with friends, family, her two grandchildren and the family Labs. Kerry and her family have an enduring love for Labs. From her first Lab, Rosie who helped her raise her two children to her grand children’s Labs, Levi and Harley there is always a Lab somewhere close.

Born in Ohio, Kerry moved to California with her parents when she was an infant and has lived in Northern California ever since. She was educated in California’s public schools and is a graduate of the University of California, Davis. She loves the arts, travel, politics and history and continues her interest in public service.

To spread the word about the power of pets and the benefits of the human-animal bond, Mike and the team at PAN have established or expanded several popular events on Capitol Hill including Pet Night, an annual legislative fly-in for the pet care community, and therapy animal interactions.

In the early days of COVID-19 response, Mike led PAN’s nationwide effort to ensure that pet retailers and service providers were included as “essential” businesses and permitted to remain open as closures went into effect across the country.

Last year, he was recognized as the Legislative Advocate of the Year by Aviculture United for his work with bird breeders across the country. The National Institute of Lobbying & Ethics named him among their “Top Lobbyists of 2021,” and in 2022 he was recognized by Association Trends as a “Leading Association Lobbyist.” In 2020, the World Pet Association presented him with their Pawsitive Impact Award, and he was included in Pet Age’s “Power 50” lists in 2021 and 2022.

Mike is a former Jeopardy! champion who sometimes answers in the form of a question and a Certified Barbecue Judge on the KCBS circuit. He and his family welcomed Scruffles, their cocker spaniel, as one of the earliest pandemic pups in April of 2020.