Service Animal Advisory Committee

Dr. Bonita “Bonnie” Bergin has been in the Service Dog industry for 50 years and is celebrated as its founder. In 1975, inspired by observing donkeys aiding people in the streets of Asia, Bonnie partnered with quadriplegic dog team Kerry Knaus and Abdul to see if dogs could be trained to help individuals with disabilities gain independence. Together, they crafted the very foundations of Service Dog education and training, creating an integrated model which connects the dog with the human in the orchestrated ways.

This led to the establishment of Canine Companions that very year. Driven by an unrelenting belief in the healing potential of human-animal bonds, Dr. Bergin extended her impact by founding The Assistance Dog Institute in 1991 which evolved into Bergin University of Canine Studies – the only institution focused entirely on advancing canine science while offering a comprehensive canine-related education.

In 2012, she founded another nonprofit: Veteran-focused service dog organization, Paws for Purple Hearts (PPH). This groundbreaking nonprofit empowers Veterans with military-related disabilities to heal through Canine Assisted Warrior Therapy®. Paws for Purple Hearts also provides Service Dogs and Facility Dogs to Veterans at their 7 locations nationwide.

Currently, you will find Bonnie still majorly involved in Bergin University of Canine Studies, Paws for Purple Hearts, and her various advisory roles with Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and National Service Animals Monument (NSAM).

Jason Johnson has a passion for Police K-9s and Military Working Dogs, as he has dedicated his life to handling, training, and taking care of them. Jason believes that our nation’s working dogs perform selflessly for the departments and agencies they work for, and that once they retire, are not offered that same respect by those they served. It is Jason’s goal to educate the public on the costs and responsibilities of adopting a retired Hero and to ensure that every Police K-9 and Military Working Dog in the world has their medical, food, and end-of-duty costs taken care of for them so they can enjoy the healthy and happy retirements that they deserve. After volunteering his time for three years at the inception of the organization, Jason now acts as the CEO of Project K-9 Hero. Jason is also the CEO of HaloLights, K-9 Solutions International (K-9SI), and Blackbird Armament where he manages domestic and international contracts, training, and consulting services with civilian and government agencies worldwide.

Before he founded Project K-9 Hero, Jason served as a Field Canine Coordinator for the Department of Homeland Security, where he provided program oversight and subject matter expertise to law enforcement and federal canine teams nationwide. Prior to that, Jason was a K-9 Trainer/Instructor and Course Developer for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). He planned, developed, and was the Lead Instructor for Explosive Detection Courses to domestic and international federal agents, law enforcement, and military. He has trained, instructed, and certified students in dozens of federal agencies globally, as well as a multitude of other state and local departments in the United States. He worked directly with the Pentagon’s Military Working Dog (MWD) program, providing Home-Made Explosives training to over 1,000 MWDs prior to their deployment to the Middle East, and was also involved in developing and instructing the ATF’s first SRT (Special Response Team) Dual-Purpose Patrol/Explosives Detection Canine, and their off-leash SEEK (Search Enhanced Evidence K-9) Program.

Prior to working for the ATF, Jason served as an Explosives Detection K-9 Handler, Trainer, Kennel Master, and Protective Security Specialist for the U.S. Department of State in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jason also served as a Police Officer for the City of Yakima, WA, and the City of Puyallup, WA. During that time, he specialized as a K-9 Handler, SWAT Officer, and K-9 Trainer/Certifying Official with the Washington State Police Canine Association. Jason honorably served in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer and is a proud Veteran. He holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science from Bellevue University in Security Management. Jason has also written two children’s books about his inspiration to start this organization, titled “K-9 Flash Becomes A Hero,” and “K-9 Flash: A Hero’s Hero.”  His K-9 partner, “Flash” was named the Law Enforcement Dog of the Year in the country by American Humane in 2018. Jason is a former Master’s Course University Instructor, a published Academic Author, and an Executive Producer of television and film, all related to the K-9 profession. Jason actively works with Congress in Washington D.C. to see that his vision of the K-9 Hero Act gets passed as a law to bring a positive legislative change to the K-9 Community for generations to follow.

Paige Mazzoni joined Canine Companions as CEO in 2018 and brings more than 25 years of professional experience, concentrated in corporate strategy and management, strategic initiative development and marketing implementation, including directing product and company positioning.

Prior to joining Canine Companions, Paige was the chief marketing officer at VIP Petcare. Her experience also includes management roles at Oracle, Sybase, Fair Isaac and Nelson Family of Companies. She has also served on the executive committee of several non-profit fundraising boards, including the Buck Cardinal Board at Stanford University, her alma mater.

“I’m honored to be working with Canine Companions, continuing the great work that has been done since its inception in 1975,” Mazzoni states. “I am eager to further the exceptional work of serving people with disabilities and work together to bring the organization to even greater heights.”

Paige’s extensive experience in the for-profit and non-profit sectors, including the animal care field, will enable Canine Companions to continue as the leader in the assistance dog industry.

“I am inspired by the genuine passion my colleagues at Canine Companions have for the organization’s mission,” says Paige. “I look forward to building on the life-changing work of the organization across the country while maintaining the heritage, guiding principles and commitment to the highest standards that have shaped Canine Companions into an organization of excellence.”

As a high-impact American Leader, John Miller has dedicated his career to making a difference. Over the past two decades, he has led a diverse group of organizations when they were needed most. He specializes in revenue growth, high profile media, building sustainable organizations, directing turnarounds & moving companies to a culture of performance through clear expectations and goal clarity.

John has helped feed the hungry, assist the blind, provide disaster relief, work to find cures and treatments for complex neurological conditions, and advocate for US Veterans & First Responders. Given his extensive background, John holds a highly visible profile in the national and local media as a recognized business leader. In 2025, John was inducted to the Long Island Business News Hall of Fame.

In 2018, John became president & CEO of two national nonprofit organizations, the Guide Dog Foundation & America’s VetDogs. Under his direction, the organizations have achieved their most successful revenue years, program impact, brand recognition and growth.

John led the vision & effort for the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives, the US Senate and signed into law by the President of the United States in 2024.

A pillar of Miller’s strategy is to raise awareness & funding through high profile partnerships, including the organizations’ Puppy With a Purpose® program. Partners have included President George H.W. Bush & his Service Dog Sully H.W. Bush, Comcast NBCUniversal, TODAY, the NHL’s & NBC Sports “Stanley Pup,” the NY Islanders, Washington Capitals, Vegas Golden Knights, NY Mets, NY Jets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Texans, Utah Mammoth, Atlanta United, Nashville SC, 3M, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, and leading military institutions such as Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command.

Previously, Miller was the national president and CEO of the Tourette Association of America (TAA), where he executed a turnaround, bringing in a new team & strategic direction.

Prior to TAA, he served with honor and distinction as CEO of the American Red Cross on Long Island, which included overseeing local responses to high-impact national events including Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy, the two largest disasters in recent Long Island history. Earlier, John’s notable roles included Chief of Staff-Food Bank For NYC, COO-Mercy College & Commissioner, Public Works-Town of Babylon, NY.

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.

Don Slavik serves as the Executive Director of the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA), bringing decades of experience in law enforcement, canine handling, and training. A twenty-two-year veteran of the St. Paul Police Canine Unit, Don retired as Head Trainer after developing and implementing training programs across all facets of canine deployment. He also served as USPCA National President, National Judge, and remains a Level III Trainer, shaping standards and best practices nationwide.

Following his retirement from St. Paul, Don’s expertise expanded to the national and international stage. As a Subject Matter Expert for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), he specialized in animal psychology, olfactory science, and training methodologies using behavioral shaping techniques. He instructed ATF Special Agents, U.S. federal agencies, military branches, state and local law enforcement, and international partners on detection training, explosives imprinting, and scenario-based deployment exercises, including the National Odor Recognition Test (NORT).

Don later served with the U.S. Department of State in Iraq as a canine methodology expert overseeing training, deployment, and evaluation of explosive detection teams protecting the U.S. Embassy from IED threats. He reported directly to Regional Security Officers, ensuring operational readiness and adherence to strict security standards. A recognized Canine Expert Witness in city, state, and federal courts, Don continues to advance the profession through education, research, and leadership, guiding USPCA initiatives on training, certification, and legal best practices.

Chris Willingham
President. United States War Dogs Association, inc.

Chris Willingham is a retired Master Sergeant who served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps from January 1999 to January 2019. A majority of his career was dedicated to the Military Working Dog (MWD) Program. During his 20 year career, Chris served as a MWD handler, trainer, instructor, supervisor and program manager. Chris deployed to the middle east multiple times and was instrumental in developing or enhancing MWD courses, polices and orders due to his operational and training experience.

Chris and his MWD, Lucca, were featured in Maria Goodavage’s New York Times bestselling book Top Dog. Chris and Lucca conducted counterinsurgency operations, located numerous improvised explosive devices, and were credited with saving countless lives. Lucca led more than 400 missions during her career, and no one was ever hurt until the day she herself suffered a severe injury on the battlefield. On 1 January 2021, Chris assumed the role President of the United States War Dog Association which supports military working dogs and promotes the long history of their invaluable service.