The Board of Directors is a diverse group of individuals whose passion for the mission naturally creates camaraderie amongst the Board and between Pet Partners and other organizations. These individuals are willing to roll up their sleeves and work for the goals of Colorado Therapy Animals throughout their term through effective governance and successful fundraising, ensuring that CTA has adequate resources to perform its mission. They willingly make a personal commitment to garner financial support through their extensive contacts, provide a bridge to the larger community, and continually work to enhance the public image of Colorado Therapy Animals.   Board of Directors

Michelle Penfold (President)  A native Coloradan, Michelle grew up in Arvada, and developed her love for animals early in life. She volunteered with the Colorado Horse Rescue in Arvada for more than 15 years, and spent considerable time showing horses and educating the public about horses and their many therapeutic traits.     Trainer  and evlauator for Golden Kimba Service Dogs.     Michelle is active within the Delta Society, as a registered Pet Partner with her dog Splash and Rusty. She is now focused on educating the public on AAA/T and the benefits all gain with the help of animals whether they are a Service Dog or aTherapy Dog.

MarlaJoy Leonard (Vice President)         Marla Joy was born and raised in New York with 4 brothers, 1 sister, and too many pets to count!  Growing up in the Catskills her dogs were always her best friends.  After graduating from Alfred University with a B.S. in Political Science she worked in mortgage banking for seven years until job changes moved her to Chicago, then San Francisco.      She was thrilled to finally move here to Colorado.  Marla Joy and her husband have four daughters who keep her very busy and teach her about life each and every day.   She has been a volunteer at the humane society since high school, coaches soccer, and volunteers at the schools and Exempla Healthcare, is a Delta Pet Partner and R.E.A.D. team.      She loves people and animals, and it shows.  It is her pleasure to listen or lend a helping hand when needed and hugging a furry friend always feels good!  Marla Joy is excited to help spread the word about the therapeutic qualities of animals and what an amazing group of people and animals we have in Colorado Therapy Animals.

Lisa Reilly (Secretary) Lisa was born in Boulder but was an Air Force brat so traveled during her younger years and graduated from high school in Taipei, Taiwan.  She came back to Boulder to attend CU in 1971 and has been here ever since.   Lisa discovered her intense love for animals and the therapy they can provide about 7 years ago when her grandmother went into a constant care facility.  She and Bailey (her cockapoo) would go visit every day.  What a difference Bailey made in the daily living of the residents.  They would line up in the halls waiting for us.   Lisa is the Facilities Coordinator for United Title Co., a real estate closing company in Boulder.  She has two sons in college and is enjoying her empty nest with her husband of 25 years, John.  Bailey has a little sister Divot (our Yorkie that we call Hell on Paws)   Lisa says.. “The highlight of my week is going with Bailey to Exempla.  The rest of my hectic life is forgotten as soon as we walk through the doors.  The smiles, tears and making the patients forget about their woes for that short time can’t be traded for anything.  The positive responses that we get and the gentle stroking that Bailey receives is beyond compare…”   “I am honored to be a part of Colorado Therapy Animals and feel that I have finally found “my passion”.

Bruce Penfold  (Treasurer)       Bruce grew up in Brighton where he was active in the community.  He has been in the Fire/EMS service for over 24 years and works as a Lieutenant for the City of Boulder Fire-Rescue.  Prior to becoming a career firefighter, Bruce worked in a Heating and Air Conditioning business with his father for 12 years.   Bruce served as President of the Pension Board of the Brighton Volunteer Fire Department for 10 of 11 years he sat on the board.  He is the current president of the Board of Trustees of the Boulder Fire and Police Money Purchase Pension Plan serving for 9 years.  Bruce is a director on the homeowners association board where he lives, and has also served in all capacities on two other homeowners association boards.   Bruce has always loved animals of all types and fully supports his wife Michelle’s passion for AAA/T activities.   He enjoys boating, scuba diving and other water related activities, golf, volleyball and softball.    Bruce and his family share their small acreage home northeast of Denver with 2 dogs, 1 cat and a horse.

Linda Hall   Linda Hall and Beepie, her 14 year-old Hungarian Puli, have been Delta Pet Partners since the summer of 2006. They make weekly visits to Exempla Good Samaritan Hospital, and are also an integral part of the PAWS to READ program here at the Lafayette Public Library. Beep is Linda’s first therapy dog, and the team sure wishes they’d started sooner! Dogs are Linda’s first love, and have always been an important part of her life. She acquired her first Puli from a shelter in 1971 and since 1988, has trained and competed with 10 Pulis, earning over 50 titles in dog training events including conformation, obedience, agility, and herding. Having worked in the field of graphic arts, from commercial photography to printing for over 35 years, Linda presently runs a graphic arts production company out of her home. She now spends most of her days working at a computer with six warm fuzzies at her feet.   Linda and Beepie have been present at every CTA general meeting and community event since the organization started. Their support and contributions have been invaluable.

Bruce Newton   Bruce was born in California, but at the tender age of 6 months, told his parents that Colorado was the place he'd rather be and, they listened!  Not tiring of change, he also spent 9 years away from Colorado in such exotic places as Manila, Hong Kong, Japan, Washington DC ,and Los Angeles but, Colorado again, became his home in the early 1970's and he has claimed it as such, ever since.  He's still lucky to have his parents around too but, they don't listen to him much anymore!   Bruce has over 25 years in public service and works with Native Americans, trying to place them into affordable housing on reservations.  He is an active member of the American Indian Program Council and is a member of SAIGE, the Society of American Indian Government Employees.  He is also the EEO Special Emphasis Program Manager for Native Americans at his agency. Bruce has been an event coordinator with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters’ Sports Buddies Program for almost 6 years, is active in his church, and helps at an annual sailing event called Craig Days.  This event is geared toward patients, families, and staff at Craig Hospital, and involves water therapy and rehabilitation at Cherry Creek Reservoir.  He also was a Loan Executive for the Combined Federal Campaign where he helped raise a record 3.6 million dollars.   Bruce has not been without a dog since 1963.  But, it wasn't until 2001 that he found his "wonder dog", Jake, at the Denver Dumb Friends League.  Or, as Jake puts it, "It was love at first sight, for Bruce."  So, why did Jake and Bruce become a Pet Partner Therapy Team?  Well, they both believe they create their own destiny and that happiness is "up to us."   Jake and Bruce say "Yes" to life and its rewards.  And, it's the smiles, the brightness in the eyes, and the joys that Jake brings to people that bring them both happiness.   Bruce has volunteered with CTA since its inception and helped out at many events even before Jake became a Registered Therapy Dog.

Richard Schad   Rich has been a dog person his entire life. Rich has three rescue dogs and is an active member of Colorado Sheltie Rescue. Rich's two therapy dogs, Willie and Jake, came from Sheltie Rescue in August of 2004. "A rescue dog may come with some baggage, but who doesn't?" "Who doesn't need a new leash on life?" Bo, and my two therapy dogs, are my diamonds in the ruff.   Rich has been a Farmers Insurance agent in Louisville since 1977. Rich is an amateur stand-up comedian and has performed at Comedy Works, Wits End, the Boulder Theatre, and Jazz at Jacks. Rich also recently made his acting debut as Victor Velasco in Coal Creek Community Theatre's Barefoot in the Park.   Rich is married to his loving and supportive wife, Karyn, for 35 years, with two great children, Carly and Devon.   Rich thanks his family and his dogs for their help in becoming a therapy dog partner. Bo, Willie, and Jake, you had me at Bow Wow.

Pat Schwartz     A native New Yorker, moved to Colorado 2 years ago and quickly became involved with the Delta Society's Pet Partners program. A retired biology teacher and school administrator with more than 30 years experience, Pat is dedicated to furthering the human/animal bond through work with her Delta Registered Therapy Dogs, Flamingo "Mingo" and Bonnie Blu, at Exempla/Good Samaritan's Animal Assisted Therapy program and the Lafayette Public Library's Homework Center and "PAWS to READ" program.     After retirement, Pat worked for East Coast Assistance Dogs in Dobbs Ferry, New York for 4 years, where she taught at-risk high school students to train Service Dogs for individuals with physical disabilities. She is a Certified Service Dog Instructor and a member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).   Pat is the Executive Director of Golden Kimba Service Dogs, an organization that provides instruction, support, and assistance to individuals who wish to train their own Emotional Support Service Dogs. Pat's husband, Allan N. Schwartz LCSW, Ph.D. is a psychiatric social worker who uses Therapy Dogs with clients in his office. His expertise is invaluable in providing psychiatric support to Golden Kimba Service Dogs' clients.

Michelle Tschudy   Michelle and her Golden Retriever, Boo, were awarded the prestigious Beyond Limits Therapy Award by the Delta Society in 2006.   Michelle and Boo became a Delta Society Pet Partners Team in November of 2005. Previously, they were members of Therapy Dogs Incorporated and conducted pet visits at Balfour Nursing home, working with their hospice, assisted living, and Alzheimer patients.   Michelle has worked full time in the computer industry for 20 years – she strongly feels that the opportunity to volunteer with animal therapy helps to balance her out. Michelle and Boo say it is their way of “giving back.” Michelle also has another dog, a 3 pound Yorkshire terrier named Sadie, that is in training to become a therapy dog. Michelle thinks that Sadie would be a great lap dog during her visits and hopes that her training continues to go smoothly.   Michelle and Boo have also done extensive volunteer work for CTA and their bright smiles and friendly faces have been seen at many of our community activities.

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