Betsy manages the overall operations of the Purr’n Pooch Foundation.

Her involvement in group organizations started at a young age from student council president in grammar school to being the philanthropic chair of her sorority in college. Her passion to help and give when needed brought her all over the world from picking coffee beans in Costa Rica to visiting refugee camps in Croatia. But it wasn’t until after she received her Master’s Degree in Holistic Health and spent six years as the head of research and product development for a small nutriceutical company that she finally went back to her roots.

Betsy was raised in a family that owns and operates luxury pet resorts. Awareness and social responsibilities of pet ownership is a priority in the Palazzo operations. Her involvement in the Purr‘n Pooch Foundation for Animals is a natural outgrowth of her love of animals, work in group organizations and knowledge of the pet care industry.

Presently, Betsy is the Director of Human Resources for Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts, which cares for thousands of pets each year. She is also a public speaker, certified pet care technician, reiki practitioner, licensed groomer and certified nutritional consultant.

Koren’s passion for animals stems from the roots of her father and family business. Growing up working side by side with her father, President and CEO of luxury pet care facilities, she learned hands-on the compassion and love that animals bring to this ever-challenging world. From this early age, she showed a natural aptitude for the caring and understanding for pets.

After graduating from the College of Charleston with a BA in Communications, she worked for the NY Rangers in their PR Department. Koren continued her education within the pet industry during this time. Being a member of the Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals is a natural outgrowth of her lifelong commitment to the welfare of animals.

Koren continues to work in the family business. She is a certified pet care technician, canine massage practitioner, licensed groomer and dog trainer.

Shannon’s philanthropic nature originated from her grandmother who was a lifetime supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. She took the lesson of giving to the next level and in 2000 she became an employee of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, where she began her fundraising efforts for the NYC organization. She worked in the Public Relations and Special Events departments to help raise money for these children and found her love for the non-profit sector.

Shannon continued her fundraising activities when she began raising money for The Alzheimer’s Association in 2008. She became a team captain and led her team in the Memory Walk and continues to participate annually for the organization, rallying people together and raising money for a very important disease that has affected some of her family members.

Since then, she has worked in other local charities volunteering and raising money. Shannon’s love for animals made the perfect fit for her involvement in the Purr’n Pooch Foundation for Animals.

Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman is one of the world’s most celebrated veterinary behaviorists. He is Professor, Section Head and Program Director, Animal Behavior Department of Clinical Sciences Tufts’ Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts. Dr. Dodman grew-up in England and trained to be a vet in Scotland. At the age of 26, he became the youngest veterinary faculty member in Britain. It was at that time that Dr. Dodman began specializing in surgery and anesthesiology.

In 1981 Dr. Dodman immigrated to the United States where he became a faculty member of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. Shortly after his arrival, Dr. Dodman became interested in behavioral pharmacology and the field of animal behavior. After spending several years in this area of research, he founded the Animal Behavior Clinic – one of the first of its kind – at Tufts in 1986. He received an additional board certification in animal behavior from the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. Dr. Dodman began to see clinical cases in 1987 and since 1990; he has devoted all of his time to his specialty practice of animal behavior.

Since the mid 1990s, Dr. Dodman has written four acclaimed bestselling books that have received a tremendous amount of national press. His first book, The Dog Who Loved Too Much (Bantam Books, 1995), was an unqualified success selling more than 100,000 copies as did his second book, The Cat Who Cried for Help (Bantam Books, 1997). His third book, Dogs Behaving Badly (Bantam Books, 1999) was again a bestseller while his latest, If Only They Could Speak (W.W. Norton & Co., 2002) is about to be re-released as a trade paperback. His latest book, The Well-Adjusted Dog should be a bible for dog owners everywhere.

Dr. Dodman is internationally recognized and sought after as a leader in his field. In addition to his four trade books, he has authored two textbooks and more than 100 articles and contributions to scientific books and journals. He also holds 10 US Patents for various inventions related to the control of animal behavior. Dr. Dodman appears regularly on radio and television including 20/20, Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Early Show, Dateline, World News with Peter Jennings, Martha Stewart Living, Discovery Channel, NOVA, Animal Planet, Fox TV, the BBC and CBC, CNN’s Headline News, Inside Edition, MSNBC, NOVA, NPR’s “Fresh Air” and A&E. In addition, Dr. Dodman is a columnist for the Martha Stewart’s Whole Living and Veterinary Practice News.

Donald Hilker is a partner with The Mironov Group, LLC. He has more than 28 years of professional and business advisory experience with a varied background of healthcare providers, manufacturers, real estate, wholesalers and professional service companies. Don is the partner in charge of the healthcare industry practice of the firm. He has consulted with numerous medical specialties for practices ranging from sole practitioners to large group practices.

Don earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Monmouth University. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in New Jersey and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts, Medical Group Management Association, New Jersey Medical Group Management Association, National CPA Health Care Advisors Associations and Physicians Viewpoint Network.

Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts President Dick Palazzo is an industry innovator and passionate animal welfare advocate. Dick’s background in veterinary science and vast experience as a trainer, behaviorist, groomer and businessman have been essential to Purr’n Pooch’s 43 years of success.

After graduating from St. Leo University, he studied veterinary medicine at the University of Florida. It was at this time that Dick decided to pursue a career in the fields of pet care, training and grooming. Through this extensive schooling, Dick developed and maintained a thorough knowledge of techniques, developments and trends in the field.

Dick started his professional career in the early 70s as a dog trainer, receiving his practical training and experience with Sinclair Eaton and Tom Macek. He continued his zest for knowledge by becoming one of the first students to graduate from Jack Volhard’s School for Dog Training. Furthering his education, Dick worked as an assistant to a thoroughbred trainer and equine vet. He also graduated from the Stanton School of Dog Grooming under the instruction of Joe Stanton, Tom Meyer and Shirlee Kalstone, some of the most respected names in grooming. Dick also competed in breed shows and the obedience ring with CDs, CDX, and Shutzhund dog training. In fact, Dick and his beloved German Shepherd Yada won the Purina Award in the Frisbee competition and the Feline Friskee’s Grand Champion Award with his cat Shadow. Thanks to these early experiences, Dick was able to observe and utilize a wide variety of training and behavioral modification techniques that would serve him well throughout his career.

In 1973, Dick pursued his first entrepreneurial endeavor and opened It’s a Dogs’ World, a professional dog training and grooming company in Long Island, New York. One year later, he relocated his business to Monmouth County, New Jersey where he expanded his services to include dog boarding and developed a concept that would revolutionize the industry. He worked with a veterinarian to establish Purr’n Pooch – the nation’s first enclosed controlled environment and full-service pet boarding, grooming and training facility.

Soon after creating Purr’n Pooch in Wall Township, a second facility in Tinton Falls was established to accommodate the high demand that this new concept generated. By concentrating on positive attitude reinforcement and social interaction, Dick established leash-free indoor and outdoor environments that promoted stress reduction and healthier living. This concept was the catalyst for “Doggie Daycare” across the nation.

Currently, with more than 40,000 square-feet of luxury space at two luxury resort locations, a staff of more than 60 highly trained pet care professionals and a reputation as an industry leader, Dick Palazzo has developed one of the most successful pet care facilities in the world.

Dick Palazzo lives on the Jersey Shore with his wife Mary, also an animal welfare advocate, trainer, groomer and partner in the success of Purr’n Pooch Pet Resorts.

Dr. Wendy McCulloch owns and operates Home Vets NYC / NJ and Pet Requiem – convenient and compassionate home veterinary services founded to provide wellness care; vaccinations; routine testing; acupuncture; in-home euthanasia; and hospice care and health evaluations for geriatric and terminally ill animal companions. Pet Requiem is the first House Call Veterinary Practice established to specifically offer these services to patients in New Jersey, the New York Metropolitan area and Staten Island.

Dr. McCulloch believes pet owners are more comfortable with their decision and experience a sense of closure sooner if their animal companions experienced a peaceful and dignified transition in the comfort of their own home.

Dr. McCulloch holds veterinary licenses in New York and New Jersey, she obtained her veterinary degree from the University of Florida and completed a veterinary internship at the Animal Medical Center in NYC.

Dr. Brian T. Voynick is the owner and director of the American Animal Hospital. His fields of interest are in diagnostics medicine, endoscopy and alternative medicine. He is a renowned certified veterinary acupuncturist, with a special interest in Chinese herbal medicine. Dr. Voynick’s mastery of this remarkable healing art relieves pets’ chronic pain to give them longer, happier lives. Clients and their pets find the treatments to be pain-free and relaxing.

He has served as chairman of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association Ethics and Grievance Committee as well as president of the Randolph Area Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Voynick enjoys hosting the Pet Stop on News 12 New Jersey and spending time with his friends and family.

Tune into News 12 New Jersey’s “The Pet Stop” for a visit with Dr. Voynick. The show features stories about pet health care, with special guests from all parts of the animal kingdom, local shelters, and charity organizations. Please check your local listings for airing times of “The Pet Stop” on Saturdays and Sundays.