Sarah has been an animal person since she was little, and even though she has had multiple cats, rabbits, fish, a bird, and even a squirrel over the years, her favorite animal will probably always be dogs (unless she could own a large exotic cat and then all bets are off). Sarah found her way to Austin in 2008 and somehow made it all the way until 2013 before Pepper came into her life. Pepper and Sarah joined Divine Canines in 2018 as a therapy dog team and have loved every adventure! When she’s not working as an air quality planner, Sarah enjoys her free time reading, crafting, snuggling Pepper and her other fur babies at home, being outdoors, and volunteering with Divine Canines. Her newest and most expensive hobby is her growing collection of houseplants!

Tatiana first understood the healing power of animals while growing up with her two toy poodles and her horses. They provided comfort, companionship, and unconditional love during her formative years, always there to offer solace and support.

As Tatiana grew older, she realized that she wanted to use her love for animals to make a difference in the lives of others. When standard poodle Venkman came into Tatiana’s life, she knew he was meant to be a therapy dog! Venkman became a Divine Canine in July of 2023, and his little sister Spengler followed in his footsteps in October 2023. Tatiana’s human child, Sloan, is also a Divine Canines volunteer and loves taking their poodle siblings on site visits.

Tatiana, Sloan, and the ghostbusters feel honored to be a part of Divine Canines and to be able to spread joy to those in need!

Katie grew up in southern Louisiana with chickens, rabbits, ducks, cats, and dogs. She has always had a passion for animals and helping people. In fact, her first job was a junior volunteer at the local hospital when she was 14. Twelve years ago, she moved to Austin and has been working in property management. As part of her job, she is the chairperson for her company's volunteer initiative program. This is what led her to discover Divine Canines, which seemed like the perfect pairing of pups helping people. She is also a foster failure with a huge heart for furry friends. Currently she has several wonderful rescue cats and dogs in her life and lives by the motto "who rescued whom!"

Paul became interested in therapy dog training after searching for ways to fuse his love for animals and his desire to help individuals with disabilities, inspired by his early experiences accompanying his father (a teacher and Lutheran minister) on visits to nursing homes and hospitals. He began working with dogs through the Lee Mannix Center for Canine Behavior (LMCCB) in 2005. Impressed by LMCCB’s methods for improving the relationship between dogs and people, Paul interned under Lee and became a senior trainer and behaviorist for LMCCB, now the Canine Center for Training and Behavior (TCCTB). Paul specializes as a therapy dog trainer, and is an evaluator for the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen program and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. He has a degree in Psychology from the University of Texas and has worked with individuals with mental retardation and multiple disabilities at the Austin State School and at special education programs in public schools. He has volunteered for Safe Place and the Austin Humane Society/SPCA. Paul enjoys spending time with his wife Krislyn, their son Henry, and their dogs, Tricksy and Farmer. He also loves to play music, camp, hike and fish.

Matt grew up in Dallas and is a graduate of the University of Texas.  After undergrad, Matt moved to the Czech Republic and taught English and travelled for two years before returning to the states to attend law School at St. Mary’s in San Antonio.  Matt’s law firm specializes in health care and trial law.  Matt met his wife, Stephanie, who is an elementary school teacher, while working in Houston. They moved to Austin in 2001, where they have raised their two daughters.  Having both grown up with animals and pets always around, Matt and Stephanie knew the joy that a dog would bring to their family and their daughters.   They soon rescued their first family dog, Denali, an 80 pound lab/collie mix.  They then were fortunate enough several years later to happen upon and rescue Denali’s “mini-me”, Maverick, who had been abandoned on a country road in West Texas.  The rest is history.  Maverick the Marvelous is now a proud Divine Canine therapy dog, who loves all humans and his Divine Canine visits.  Matt enjoys spending time with his family, hiking with Maverick, live music, traveling and following Texas Longhorn sports.  On the side, Matt is also a guitarist and enjoys entertaining folks and dogs alike in his current band, Dirti Martini.

Tori is an attorney currently working in the legal search, staffing and eDiscovery industry.  She is the Executive Director of the Austin office of Special Counsel, the nation’s largest legal search company.  Although no longer the proud human of Eudora, the Divine Canines late mascot and inspiration (shown pictured with Tori), Tori remains committed to the mission of Divine Canines and dogs as unique and important therapy tools.  When not recruiting legal professionals or Divine Canines volunteers, Tori spends time keeping up with her young son, practicing yoga and exploring new places in town.

After more than 10 years working with non-profit agencies and academic institutions, Anna moved to Austin to pursue her passion for animal welfare and wildlife rehabilitation. Anna has a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and joined Divine Canines so she could combine her love of animals with the ability to help persons in need. In addition to volunteering with her dog Romy, Anna currently serves as Volunteer Coordinator

Max joined Divine Canines as executive director in February 2013 after 15 years in a similar position with EarthShare of Texas. He is well known in the Austin nonprofit community, having served as co-manager of the City of Austin’s Combined Charities Campaign for eight years during his tenure at EarthShare of Texas. Max also brings years of public service experience to Divine Canines, along with outstanding writing credentials. He was the late Congresswoman Barbara Jordan’s speechwriter during the seven years prior to her death in 1997. If Max doesn’t return your call or email immediately, it may be because he’s out for his daily run around the Hike and Bike trail with his rescue dog, Rosebud

Heidi was appointed to chair the advisory council when her final term on the Divine Canines board ended in May 2014. Heidi served as Board Chair from 2011 to May 2014. She is a self-employed medical device consultant. Her passion for dogs began at a young age, and she began handling and training dogs in 1994 after becoming involved with the Texas Greyhound Adoption Program. In 2004 she rescued her divine canine, Bella, from Town Lake Animal Shelter. Heidi says, “The first day I met my amazing friend Lee Mannix, he walked right up to Bella, completely ignoring me, knelt down and played with her. He laughed and giggled. He said to me ‘This dog is one in a million. She is a gift. You enjoy every single day with her. You will never, ever have another dog like her.'” Heidi competes in agility with Bella and works her in frisbee, search and rescue and tracking. In addition to her work with Divine Canines, Heidi is an endurance mountain bike athlete selected as one of 50 influential female athletes in North America. Heidi was named one of Ballet Austin’s Women on Their Toes for 2013, primarily for her volunteer work with Divine Canines.

Evelyn has been in the marketing communications field for six years, having worked with Fortune 500 companies, small start-ups, and nonprofit organizations. She is currently the Communications Manager at Greenlights for Nonprofit Success, where she is responsible for writing, email marketing, social media, and community management. In her role, she supports fundraising, event, and brand communications for the nonprofit. Along with her love for dogs (especially her rescue pup, Hazel), Evelyn is also a farmers’ market aficionado and avid baker.

Carmen grew up all around the world as a military child without any pets. Her first dog is her Divine Canine, Frida. Carmen moved to Austin in 2010 and quickly realized how much fun you can have in Austin with a dog in tow. Frida and Carmen became a dog therapy team in 2016 and they spend at least an hour a week making people smile. In her spare time you can find Carmen and Frida on a hiking trail or paddle boarding on Lake Austin.

Since 2003, Becca has worked as a regulatory attorney in the FDA and health care fields. She assists clients who develop, make and distribute FDA-regulated products and those who play a part in the investigation and delivery of health care products and services. Rebecca is committed to pro bono service, providing education and advice on various law issues to several non-profit pro bono clients. Taking her dogs through classes at the Canine Center for Training and Behavior opened Becca’s eyes to the potential for animals to make a concrete and meaningful difference to those experiencing physical and mental health and developmental challenges. Rebecca is an informal student of human and animal behavior and believes, in the words of Temple Grandin: “People wouldn’t have become who we are today if we hadn’t coevolved with dogs.” She and her husband Reese enjoy spending time with their intrepid canine companions Luna, Apollo, and Aurora.

Shannon grew up in Austin and attended the University of Texas at Austin where she got her bachelors and masters degrees in accounting.  She now works for the largest local accounting firm in Austin.  Her sister is allergic to dogs so growing up she was never able to have one of her own.  As soon as she went to college she got her first dog, a chiapoo named Sam.  A later experience with Sam and her grandmother really planted the seed for her passion for the Divine Canines mission.  She enjoys spending time with her husband, Ryan, daughter, McKayla and yellow lab, Moose.

Karaline grew up in Texarkana, Texas, surrounded by pets, and has been an animal lover her whole life. She moved to Austin in May, 2012, and worked in marketing for three years. She now works in sales at BWI Companies, Inc. and loves spending time with her Basset Hound Zooey and Husky Lance. After learning about Divine Canines, Karaline couldn’t think of anything she and Zooey would love more or be better suited for. They graduated from Divine Canines Therapy Dog Training in February 2016, and are so grateful to be part of such an amazing group of people and dogs.

Mike grew up on a farm in Kansas where he developed a life-long love of animals and the outdoors. A move to Texas lead him to the University of Texas in Austin in 1984. He fell in love with the town (as well as Lisa, now his wife) and never left. From his junior year at UT through the present he has been immersed in the business realm. Mike was at Dell, Inc. for 17 years with the majority of that time as an executive in four different disciplines. He is now Chairman of the Board for a small private company in San Diego. While he has had dogs all his life, Amstel – a Yellow Labrador rescued from the side of the road – seemed to have a personality destined to socialize. Mike and Amstel were certified for therapy work in June of 2009 through Austin State Hospital, and then through Divine Canines in September 2011. Amstel passed in 2017 after logging over 250 visits. Shiner, a Black Labrador rescue, was certified through Divine Canines in December 2012 and has logged 400+ visits which puts her in the “ Distinguished” AKC level of Therapy dogs. When not in Austin, Shiner and her family enjoy spending time at a Hill Country ranch on trail runs, 4-wheeler rides, swimming in the ponds, and bird hunting.

Malari was born with a love of animals and turned her love into a career. She graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. While an undergraduate at A&M, she began therapy dog work with her Beagle, Abby, through Aggieland Pets with a Purpose. Malari also served four years on the board of Aggies for Animal Rescue, a student organization aimed at spreading animal awareness. Together with her husband Trevor, a dog trainer, they have two Divine Canines: Merci and Simon, both rescue mutts. When not at work or doing Divine Canines site visits, they enjoy playing agility with their other canine companions, Suki, Daisy, Enya and Yoshi.