board of directors
|
|
|
STEVE COREY, Founder and Board President & KIM COREY, Board Secretary
Steve Corey is an Army veteran who served as an M88 operator and heavy equipment mechanic. He was also a local business owner for 13 years before he started Victory Service Dogs. His desire to help veterans in our community came through his many interactions with those who were struggling with PTSD and other chronic illnesses, and seeing their difficulty in finding the health services they needed to improve their quality of life. Email: victoryservicedogsinc@gmail.com Kim Corey grew up in an Air Force family as the daughter of a Vietnam War veteran and has experienced first-hand the effects of PTSD and how it impacted her family. Kim is an elementary school teacher who runs an in-home learning center and works alongside her husband, Steve, as the Board Secretary for Victory Service Dogs. Email: secretary@victorysd.org |
JESSICA MORIN, Board Vice President
Originally from Maine, Jessica Morin moved to Colorado Springs in 2006. An active volunteer with several organizations, she became involved with Victory Service Dogs in 2018 while looking for a new way to have a positive impact in the community. An outdoor enthusiast, Jessica works in the bicycle industry and, when not mountain biking, enjoys hiking and camping with her dogs. In March of 2020, she and Zack graduated from our Service Dogs Program. Jessica is currently fostering a service puppy before she goes to her forever home! Email: volunteer@victorysd.org | vice.president@victorysd.org |
|
|
|
SCOTT HUYVAERT, Board Treasurer
Scott served as a healthcare specialist in the United States Army where he found a true passion for working with the wounded veteran community. While on active duty, Scott helped create and develop outreach programs focused on the rehabilitation of our nation’s wounded service members and their families. His background in combat medicine, project management and healthcare administration compliment his love of all things outdoors, all while being able to support others in need. When he’s not developing future projects, you will find him spending time with his wife, daughters and hunting dogs or watching the Chicago Blackhawks. Email: treasury@victorysd.org |
ANDREW BENTON, Board Member
Andrew is currently a Senior Master Sergeant serving on active duty in the US Air Force. He is a professional musician, husband, and father of two. A life-long dog lover, Andrew appreciates the unique relationship between dogs and people and has recently finished training his own pup at VSD. Andrew is a proud volunteer with VSD and believes strongly in the mission to help give back to our military veterans, first responders and children with disabilities through the process of owning and training a qualified service dog. Email: a.benton@victorysd.org |
|
RAE & BRANDON WHEELER, Board Members
Rae Wheeler Began a successful career in firm administration for accounting firms in the early 1990’s. In the early 2000’s joined the Goldman Sachs, Investment Banking Division, managing 5 locations in 2 countries. Left the corporate world approximately 14 years ago to work personally for a Goldman Sachs executive as his Estate Manager, in Los Angeles, CA. Additionally work with a private charter company on the East Coast in Human Resources. Rae moved to Texas in 2014 and continued in my present occupation, on a remote basis. Enjoy bicycling, hiking, camping, wine tasting and just about anything outdoors, in my free time. My husband and I are passionate about issues our Veterans face and donate regularly or have donated to Work Vessels for Vets, Parker County Gold Star Families, Victory Service Dogs, Battle Buddies and a variety of other veteran related organizations. My husband and I have been honored to donate a few puppies to Victory Service Dogs and look forward to our next foster puppy arriving in a few months. Brandon Wheeler Born and raised on a ranch north of Canadian, TX. After graduating high school in 1989, attended West Texas State University in Canyon, TX for two years before transferring to Texas Tech University. Receiving a B.S. in Range & Wildlife Management in 1994, I then enrolled at The University of Nebraska to work on my Masters in Range Science. In 1996, I moved to Dalhart, TX and began a career in farming and ranching. In September 2000, I took an insurance sales position with Texas Farm Bureau Insurance. After 16 successful years obtaining management status and many company sales achievement awards, I started my own independent agency in 2017, focusing on the farm and ranch insurance industry. I enjoy traveling, hunting, fishing, hiking and other outdoor activities. Twice a year, a close friend and I put on a 3D traditional bow shoot with the goal of continuing the sport of traditional archery and introducing the sport to children. I formed Doug Wheeler Rides On Foundation with my wife and my brothers to honor the memory of my brother, Doug Wheeler, who was tragically killed in a cycling accident in May 2019. The goal of the foundation is to provide bicycles for transportation, sport and mobility to kids and veterans. |
TRAINERS
|
|
|
LANCE KALAHAR, CGC Certified Trainer
Lance has been fortunate enough to turn his passion for dogs into a career which began when he enlisted in the Navy in 2010 and became a Military Working Dog Handler. After 4 years of service, his sporadic attention span helped him explore different dog training arenas including dog fighting rehabilitation, explosive detection for professional sporting events, animal welfare/shelter training, and creating and running pet obedience programs. From that unconventional path, he’s amalgamated a depth of experience and is enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge to help people understand and communicate with our furry best friends that have limitless capabilities to improve the human condition. Lance is a certified Canine Training and Behavior Specialist, a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Test Evaluator, a certified Explosive Detection Dog Handler, and a pit bull advocate. Currently, he works as a behavioral therapist for children with autism, owns his own dog training business, and has recently completed his BA in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Relations. Email: l.kalahar@victorysd.org |
ERIC RICE, BAT Certified Trainer
Eric began his passion for dog training while working at TCRAS (Teller County Regional Animal Shelter) in Divide, CO. Thinking his career at TCRAS was only going to be temporary, he quickly fell in love and found his innate talent of training and rehabilitating dogs, especially those at risk of being put down or not finding a home as a result of serious behavior issues. Throughout his journey as a dog trainer and behavior expert, Eric has participated in Dogs Playing for Life, a program for working play groups with the goal of rehabilitating assertive, unsocial, and aggressive dogs. Eric is also certified in BAT (Behavior Adjustment Training) and is a member of the IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals). As a result of his hard work and knowledge in the field, Eric was promoted to Director of Animal Enrichment and Training at TCRAS. After his journey at TCRAS, Eric continued to train dogs in the community of Woodland Park through his establishment of Howling Wilderness Outdoors. Email: e.rice@victorysd.org |
MARIA PLAZA, AKC CGC Evaluator & Trainer
After 4 years of being a Pet Nutrition Specialist, I decided it was time to pursue my passion for dogs by learning how to train them so they could stay in their Forever Homes. I have now been professionally training dogs for over 4 years and I don't plan to stop anytime soon as this is my passion!
I believe in Positive Reinforcement Training because it has been proven that if dogs voluntarily participate in the training, they learn faster and they have fun. I am excited to be the official 'Puppy Trainer' for new clients that come to Victory Service Dogs!
Email: m.plaza@victorysd.org
After 4 years of being a Pet Nutrition Specialist, I decided it was time to pursue my passion for dogs by learning how to train them so they could stay in their Forever Homes. I have now been professionally training dogs for over 4 years and I don't plan to stop anytime soon as this is my passion!
I believe in Positive Reinforcement Training because it has been proven that if dogs voluntarily participate in the training, they learn faster and they have fun. I am excited to be the official 'Puppy Trainer' for new clients that come to Victory Service Dogs!
Email: m.plaza@victorysd.org
STAFF
|
|
|
LISBETH KEEN, Head of Marketing & Project Management
Lisbeth moved to Colorado in 2013. With a background ranging from broadcast production to social media management to freelance writing, she's had her hands in many different projects over the years! She has lived and worked overseas for more than a decade and has developed a passion for stories in all their various shapes and sizes. Lisbeth believes that every veteran and their voice is unique and valuable – and deserves to be heard and respected. She is dedicated to helping Victory Service Dogs grow as an organization and extend their reach to even more veterans, first responders (and soon children!) who are in need. "No one should ever feel like help is out of reach. It's our job to extend a helping hand that offers hope and a future." Email: l.keen@victorysd.org |
LAN PREZA, Administrative Assistant
Lan has always been a huge advocate for mental health and a big dog-lover so it was a natural fit. She is currently working on her double major for psychology and criminal justice and hopes to enter the forensic psychology field. She grew up in California, near the San Francisco Bay. Being married to a service member means constant moving and former residencies include Germany, Korea, and multiple stateside locations. In 2013 she found her way to Colorado and hopes to make it her permanent home. Her hobbies includes baking and photography and will often stop people on the streets to take a photo of their dog. Email: l.preza@victorysd.org |
|
|
|
CRYSTAL D. LUNDY, Behavioral Health Specialist & Veteran Liaison
Crystal graduated with her MSW from the University of Denver in November, 2020. She received her Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2007. Crystal is also completing training in Animal-Assisted Therapy. Crystal serviced in the Army as a Military Police officer. She is currently an EMT-Intermediate in the state of Colorado. After a few months as a client with VSD, Crystal started to notice the difference the dogs were making in fellow veteran’s lives. Crystal has always had a passion for helping others and a special interest in helping fellow veterans. “My fellow veterans deserve nothing but the absolute best. My goal is to help our veterans to realize their potential and navigate the intricacies of civilian life, with the help of their service dog.” Email: c.lundy@victorysd.org |
MARY GARCIA, Fundraising & Events Coordinator
Mary has lived in Colorado since 2015 and has served in the United States Army. She is currently working on her bachelors degree in cyber security/information technology. She started off as a client at VSD and fell in love with the organization and their mission to help veterans. Mary is extremely passionate about mental health. She believes in making sure veterans get the care and help they need, for the struggles they face internally. Most of the time these things go unseen. She wants to do her part to help end the “22 a day” statistic. “No one should have to fight these battles alone. I can’t explain how many different ways my service dog has helped me with my mental health, my family and my life. I want other veterans who need this help, to get this help.” Email: m.garcia@victorysd.org |
