Bonds of Service Event Committee

Susan is a renowned sculptor in the United States and abroad and is both the sculptor and visionary for this Monument. 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.

Danique Masingill is a U.S. Navy veteran, nationally recognized nonprofit founder, and respected leader in the fields of service dog training, canine program development, and trauma-informed animal intervention. Her journey began in uniform, serving alongside military working dogs whose loyalty and operational effectiveness left a lasting imprint on her approach to service, leadership, and advocacy.

Over the past two decades, Danique has built and co-founded several successful nonprofit organizations and programs dedicated to advancing the role of working and service dogs for veterans, first responders, and trauma survivors. She is the founder of the Hero Academy, a comprehensive training initiative under Hero Labradors that prepares service dogs, facility dogs, and canine-handler teams for specialized work in public safety and mental health support.

Danique is also a certified crisis response canine handler, drawing from firsthand deployment experience to design and lead advanced handler courses across the country. Her training programs emphasize real-world application, trauma-informed methodology, and long-term support for both dogs and handlers. She works in close collaboration with Crisis Response Canines and other leading national organizations to unify best practices and strengthen the infrastructure of the working dog community.

Her contributions extend internationally through consulting engagements with federal agencies and trade organizations, where she advises on canine program development, operational integration, and field deployment standards. Danique also played a central role in establishing the inaugural Working Dog Awards, created to recognize outstanding contributions by service and working dogs across the country.

She holds a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, as well as graduate certificates in Security Studies and Conflict Resolution. Her national recognition includes the Patriot Award from the American Freedom Fund and the Hero Award from the Thomas Jefferson College of Health.

Whether leading a training exercise, facilitating national working groups, or developing next-generation programming, Danique Masingill remains unwavering in her commitment to honoring the service of working dogs—and the people they help to heal, protect, and support.

Mike Bober joined the Pet Advocacy Network as the Vice President of Government Affairs in 2013, and he led their advocacy efforts on behalf of the responsible pet care community as President and CEO for more than 9 years beginning in 2016. Mike earned Certified Association Executive status in 2020, and his specialties include legislative analysis, connecting with lawmakers, coalition-building, and outreach.

To spread the word about the power of pets and the benefits of the human-animal bond, Mike and the team at PAN 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.

In 2023, 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.

Morgan Farr is a writer, graphic designer, and advocate whose work focuses on the history, care, and legacy of working dogs and service animals. She serves as the social media manager for the U.S. Army Military Working Dog Program and as a graphic designer for the Military Working Dog Heritage Museum, where she helps preserve and share the stories of military working dogs and the people who serve alongside them. Morgan co-founded K9 Farr Fitness with her husband, who is an Army veterinarian. Together, they provide education on canine fitness and responsible conditioning for both civilian and working dogs. Morgan is also a member of the American Veterinary Medical History Society, reflecting her commitment to historical preservation and education within the veterinary and working animal fields. Across all roles, Morgan brings structure, discipline, and thoughtful storytelling to her work.

Morgan is a military spouse, a homeschooling mother of four, and a co-op instructor with a deep love of reading and lifelong learning. At home, she shares life with a high-drive Dutch Shepherd and a spirited Bombay cat, both of which inform her appreciation for the intelligence, partnership, and care required of working and companion animals alike. Through writing, design, and advocacy, Morgan is committed to honoring working animals by ensuring their stories, contributions, and bonds with humans are remembered and respected.

Adam Franklin is a canine training consultant with more than fifteen years of experience within the special operations canine community. His background includes developing operational K9 programs, preparing advanced working dog teams, and providing technical guidance to units requiring mission-ready canine capabilities, including those operating at the highest national level. His work has placed him alongside dogs and handlers assigned to demanding and sensitive missions, where precision and reliability are non-negotiable.

Mr. Franklin also maintains a long-standing commitment to the service dog community. He has contributed to the evaluation, training, and placement of service dogs supporting veterans and individuals with specialized needs. His experience in the operational community, including the losses endured by units and their canine partners, informs his continued dedication to ensuring that every working and service dog is trained with clarity, purpose, and respect for the gravity of the roles they fulfill.

Andrea Hering, CPDT-KA, CCISM, C-AAIS, D.A.A.E.T.S

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Community Resource Canines™ and Crisis Response Canines

Andrea Hering is an accomplished leader in canine-assisted interventions, specializing in trauma recovery, mental wellness, and community resilience through the use of professionally trained canines. With more than 15 years of experience, she has developed and led national programs integrating the human-animal bond into crisis response and behavioral health initiatives.

As Co-Founder and CEO of Community Resource Canines™ and Crisis Response Canines (CRC), Andrea has built organizations that deploy certified canine-handler teams to support individuals, first responders, and communities affected by crises and disasters. Her work emphasizes evidence-based approaches, collaboration, and innovation in advancing emotional recovery and resilience.

Andrea holds certifications from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Rutgers Trauma and Response Program, and as a Suicide Prevention Instructor. She is also a Certified Professional Dog Trainer—Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist (C-AAIS). Her leadership and service have earned her numerous honors, including the 2024 NJBIZ Leading Woman in Business Award and the Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Award.

Heather Kauffman is a dedicated advocate and policy leader whose work bridges human rights, disability advocacy, and service to military families. With more than 15 years of leadership experience across corporate, government, and international sectors, she has devoted her career to strengthening systems that uplift underserved communities and expand access to opportunity.

Her advocacy on behalf of children with disabilities led to meaningful change within the school system and to her appointment to the Prince William County Family Assessment Planning Team, where she supported coordinated, community-based care for at-risk youth and their families.

Internationally, Heather advances disability rights and assistance animal protections. Alongside her K9 partner, Felan—affectionately known as her “doglomat”—she has championed legislative reform and public awareness efforts in more than 13 countries. Together, they continue to break down barriers, promote dignity, and elevate recognition of the life-changing partnership between service animals and the individuals they serve.

Heather remains deeply committed to honoring service, advancing equity, and strengthening communities worldwide.

Christina M. Roof is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Global Working Dog Consortium, as well as a nationally recognized legislative expert and advocate for working dogs. Before transitioning into the working dog nonprofit sector at the K9s of Valor Foundation and Paws With A Cause, she served as a federal policy advisor on Capitol Hill and as National Legislative Director for one of the nation’s largest Veteran Service Organizations.

Throughout her career, Christina has testified before Congress numerous times and played a key role in authoring landmark legislation amending Titles 10 and 38 of the U.S. Code to strengthen protections for veterans, service members, and working dogs. Including playing an instrumental role in ensuring veterans utilizing Assistance Dogs had access to VA facilities and their earned VA benefits.

At the K9s of Valor Foundation, Christina spearheaded national outreach and fundraising initiatives, providing ballistic vests to hundreds of law enforcement K9s across the U.S., as well as critical medical training for handlers and other lifesaving equipment. Her work has been instrumental in raising awareness of the challenges facing K9 teams while fostering stronger connections between the public and the law enforcement community. With a distinguished record in policy, advocacy, and non-profit leadership, Christina continues to drive high-impact, collaborative solutions that support working dogs and their handlers, both on the front lines and beyond.

Carole Stadfield bio coming soon!

Kimberly Thomas is a dedicated Paramedic with West Jefferson EMS in Marrero, Louisiana, widely regarded as a pillar of her community. Known for her compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to service, Kimberly consistently goes above and beyond for her department, local hospitals, and the community she serves.

In addition to her work as a paramedic, Kimberly is a skilled dog handler and proud partner to Lavender “Lavy” Thomas , her three-year-old golden retriever. Together, the pair serves as an active team with Crisis Response Canines, offering comfort, emotional support, and calm during times of crisis and community need.