The Canine Angels Team

Sandy Mays

Executive Director, Instructor, Dog Trainer, Breeder Caretaker, Puppy Raiser

Sandy is a professional dog trainer and instructor, owning her own dog training business since 1993.  She has an AA degree and was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician.  She has two years of training in sign language (ASL and SEE). Sandy’s devotion to assistance dogs for children began in 1986.  Since then she has held the following key positions in service dog organizations:  Puppy Raiser Coordinator, Puppy Group Leader, Trainer, Head Trainer, Training Manager, and Instructor.  She personally raised 6 puppies to be assistance dogs and trained over 50 dogs that graduated as assistance dogs.  She has been certified as an Assistance Dog Instructor by Assistance Dogs International.  Sandy is actively involved in dog rescue organizations.  She has also trained dogs for Search & Rescue and for movies and commercials.  With her busy schedule, Sandy still finds time for Therapy Dog visits to rest homes and care facilities, participating in a horseback riding program for handicapped children, and making service dog presentations at schools and private functions.

Cathy Davalos

Instructor, Dog Trainer, Puppy Raiser

Cathy discovered her passion for working with service dogs and helping children with special needs in 1999.  She has been certified as a Service Dog Instructor from Assistance Dogs International.  Cathy has raised 4 puppies and participated in training 19 dogs that graduated as assistance dogs.  Cathy played a key role in team training for a service dog organization for four years.  She was also a leader of Dog Care and Training for the Fremont 4H.  Cathy is a supporter of the Humane Society of the United States, the Animal Rescue Foundation, and the Golden Retriever Rescue organization.  Cathy makes regular presentations at elementary schools, veteran organizations, and service clubs to educate the public about the roles and importance of service dogs. 

Sheila Kolby

Puppy Raiser Coordinator , Record Keeper, Puppy Raiser

Sheila started teaching dog obedience classes in 1973.  She has raised 6 assistance dog puppies and participated in advanced training with two of them. She has been a key volunteer in charge of organizing and producing newsletters. Sheila is member of the Skyline Dog Fanciers of San Mateo County, the San Mateo Dog Training Club, and the Bay Team (a dog agility club).  She is an instructor with the San Bruno Dog Obedience School and San Mateo Dog Training Club.  Sheila actively participates in therapy dog activities with her two dogs registered with the Delta Society as Pet Partners.  Sheila is an evaluator for new teams for Delta Society and is also rated as a “Canine Good Citizen” evaluator for the American Kennel Club (AKC).  Sheila actively participates in agility and AKC obedience competitions with her dogs. 

Kelly Stack

Outreach Coordinator, Web Site Team Leader, Puppy Raiser
 
Kelly has a Bachelor's degree in sociology with additional studies in communicative disorders and four years of training in sign language (ASL and SEE).  She is an Instructional Assistant in special education at an elementary school district.  Her main interest is working with autistic children.  She has been raising, socializing, and working with assistance dogs since 1998.  Kelly was a therapy dog team volunteer with Therapy Dogs International for five years.  She has served as an event planner, fund raiser, and outreach coordinator for several service dog organizations and therapy dog groups.  Kelly arranges and conducts educational programs on service dogs at local schools.  She has also volunteered at an animal shelter.

Kerri Van Pelt

Breeding Coordinator, Breeder Caretaker, Puppy Raiser

Kerri's interest in working with children started when she was 14 years old and her younger sister was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, requiring many hospital visits. This gave Kerri first hand experience with pediatric diseases and care from the patient side, which led to a first career in the medical field, working with patients and assisting doctors in surgery.

Kerri went on to work at Disney in Anaheim, CA. She held several positions which included an executive secretary, catering and weddings assistant and even assisting with the opening of Disney's California Adventure. She loved that work, but due to her own recently diagnosed medical condition, she was forced to give up her dream job.

She has always had a love for animals. Fortunately a co-worker at Disney, Kelly Stack (CAST co-founder), was raising puppies for children with disabilities. This was something she could do that would also tie in with her earlier interest in helping children. She started puppy raising, and in the past 5 years has raised 6 puppies and has fostered many more. She also visits children's hospitals and assisted living homes with Zimmer and Bella who are certified therapy dogs.