Our Board of Directors includes professionals with many backgrounds – each enriches our understanding of how we can contribute most effectively.
Meet the Board Members
Linda Keast, Executive Director / S.T.A.R. Handler
- MA, Spanish and MS, Computer Science
- 47 hours Training in Domestic Violence Advocacy through the YWCA and Raphael House of Portland and Clackamas Women’s Services
- 6 hours Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) training along with the staff of Raphael House
- Animal-Assisted Play Therapy Level 1 Certification
- TAGteach Level 1
- Former Pet Partner® (formerly Delta Society) with Lili and Eli
- “Kids on the Block” Powerful Puppetry DoveLewis-certified handler in dog safety program, 3 years
- “SMART” reader, five years
- Licensed Doggone Safe “Be-a-Tree” Presenter
- Canine Sport Competitor:
AKC and UKC Obedience/Rally (Utility/Excellent)
AKC Agility (Excellent B level before Eli retired)
Flyball (Flyball Master level before Eli retired)
Canine Freestyle (Intermediate level – Eli)
K9 Nose Work® (Nose Work 1 title – Lili)
Barn Hunt (RATN – Eli)
Do More With Your Dog “Trick Dog” (Eli and Lili at Expert level)
Tina Arth, Treasurer and Founding Member of the Board
- BA, English
- Retired Director of Physical Science Student Affairs, UC Irvine
- Judge for 12 years in the Music and Arts Program. for Youth
- Member, Board of Directors, Animal Aid, Inc.
Robert Robison, S.T.A.R. Handler
- BA, Social Work and MA, Public Administration
- Crime Victims Services Manager, Retired, Multnomah County Community Justice
- Taught undergraduate criminology students about working with crime victims, Portland State University
- Proud owner of Dylan the Wonder Dog, his fourth Golden Retriever
Regina Noxon, Asst. Director and S.T.A.R. Handler
Regina is a S.T.A.R. Team handler with two of her dogs. In this role, Regina coordinates and volunteers directly with youths and helping train incoming teams to Little Dog Laughed.
Regina has more than 30 years of animal training experience ranging from riding and showing horses through 4-H as a teenager, to coaching equestrian Special Olympics teams and training dogs.
Prior to starting her voluteering with TLDL, Regina spent 6 years as a coach for Special Olympics and training horses for children.
Regina’a varied background in teaching at residential facilities, animal training and volunteering provided the perfect foundation for being a S.T.A.R Team handler.
Passionate about positive training modalities and its possibilities, Regina provides support and experiences that help youths and new team members embrace new training ideas.
Jonae Waldroop, S.T.A.R. Handler
Jonae is a S.T.A.R. Team handler with two of her dogs.
Avid flyball competitor, she brings a wealth of both sports and business saavy to the program.
ADVISORY BOARD (Non-Voting)
Lori Gamroth, Curriculum Coordinator and S.T.A.R. Handler (on temporary leave)
- BS in Elementary Education, MS in Curriculum and Instruction, Spec. in Early Childhood
- 30+ years of teaching and working with children and families in a variety of formal and informal settings
- Former Child Development Instructor with NW Nannies
- Former CASA for Yamhill County
Community Trainer for Oregon Registry for Childhood Care and Education - Positive Discipline Parent Educator
- Taught conflict resolution for adults through the Oregon State Extension
Linda Hamilton
- BS, Biology and BS, Medical Technology
- Retired Application System Analyst for Legacy Health Systems
- Owner/Trainer, Cold Noses Warm Hearts Dog Training
- Pet Partner® (formerly Delta) Team with three German Shepherds.
- Teaches an Animal-Assisted Therapy Prep Workshop, and provides mentoring for therapy teams
- APDT C.L.A.S.S. (Canine Life and Social Skills) Instructor and Evaluator
- Active member HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response and National Animal-Assisted Crisis Response ( NAACR)
- Served on DoveLewis Animal Assisted Therapy and Education (DLAATE) Steering Committee
- Experienced Obedience and Humane Education Trainer
- AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Instructor and Evaluator
- Pet Partner® Team Trainer, and Team Evaluator
Kristin Lewallen
- BA, Psychology and MA, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Crisis Counselor at Cascadia’s Urgent Walk-in Clinic
- 9 years of experience working with at-risk youth
- Trained in Trauma Informed Care and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention
Sally Simon (on long-term medical leave)
- MSW in Clinical Social Work
- LCSW – Inactive (retired)
- Past Children’s Program Coordinator in a domestic violence shelter in Houston
- Over 30 years clinical and managerial experience in variety of inpatient and outpatient treatment settings with children, adolescents and adults of all ages
- Knowledge of mental health, chemical dependency and medical issues