Our Team
Meet our passionate and talented team
Danielle Forbes
Executive Director
As the Executive Director, Dani is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the organization, ensuring the organization’s mission and the strategic direction set by the board of directors is achieved. Dani loves working with dogs and people and got her start as a service dog trainer/instructor, learning the business from the ground up. As an NSD founder and past president of the board of directors, Dani has worked in many areas of NSD’s operations as a volunteer or staff member. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, horse, and dogs.
Rochelle Barber
Director of Operations
Rochelle comes to NSD with a background in Organizational Development, Social Services and Communications. Rochelle enjoys the opportunities this role provides to meet great people at NSD’s various events, engage and share stories as well as endless opportunities to share her love of photography capturing images of NSD’s beautiful dogs.
Caitlin Bonaldo
Assistant Director of Canine Development
Caitlin comes to NSD with many years in the Service Dog industry. After spending 5 years in Edmonton with her husband and 2 dogs, Caitlin moved home to Ontario to continue pursuing her dream of working within the service dog industry. As the Assistant Director of Puppy Development, Caitlin works with all volunteers and dogs in the breeding and puppy program. Caitlin believes it takes a village to breed, raise, and train service puppies and thrives working within a team. Caitlin is dedicated to ensuring all volunteers and puppies have a positive experience on the road to being a Service Dog.
Rachel Braden
Social Worker, Client Services
Rachel comes to NSD with a Masters of Social Work and a passion for utilizing accredited service dogs in trauma and victim response. Prior to joining the team at NSD, Rachel worked alongside NSD Merel to provide support to victims and witnesses of crime, first responders, and young persons involved in the justice system. Rachel has a keen understanding of both child development and trauma and delivers training both provincially and nationally on the topics. Rachel has had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the incredible impact that service dogs can have on those they interact with and for that reason, chose to join the NSD team and assist in its mission of getting life-changing service dogs to those who need them.
Amy Moore
Social Worker, Client Services
Amy comes to NSD with a Masters in Social Work and a background as a youth Mental Health support worker. She has also contributed to Social Work research. Through her experiences, she has learnt the benefit of ‘unconventional’ mental health treatment opportunities and thinking outside the box when it comes to treatment. The need for multiple avenues of healing in mental health has stuck with her and led her to NSD where she looks forward to helping people connect with an NSD Service Dog and experiencing this unique support and relationship with the dogs. This will be the first time Amy has worked with Service Dogs in a Mental Health context and she looks forward to supporting people involved in the different NSD programs!
Emerald Czegeny
Social Worker, Client Services
Emerald comes to NSD with a Masters of Social Work and a background in gerontology, epilepsy and non-profit community work. She has a passion for working with people and ensuring they have all the resources they need for their greatest success. As an animal lover, Emerald was drawn to NSD because of the impact of Service Dogs on Canadians. Emerald enjoys spending time with her partner, her beloved cat Pippin and with friends. She is looking forward to learning all about service dogs and fulfilling NSD’s mission.
Ashley Hedge
Training Coordinator and Instructor
Ashley comes to NSD with many years of working with humane society and shelter dogs. For over 10 years she owned and ran a horse farm where she trained both riding and therapy horses as well as teaching lessons and summer camps for all ages and abilities. Through this, she developed a passion for working with animals and children of all abilities. She is excited to be a part of NSD and loves to see how life-changing the dogs can be for the clients. Her love of all animals has been present her entire life and has previously worked for Veterinary Hospitals, dog grooming and owned a dog walking/pet sitting business, She has a Black Lab named Hank and two horses that she competes with – Herc and Apollo.
Mandy Langerak
Trainer
Mandy comes to NSD having completed a training apprenticeship. She has a passion for working with dogs and has been a puppy raiser for NSD since 2018. Mandy also has a vast knowledge of grooming with 8 years of experience working with dogs in that environment. She enjoys working with the advanced dogs and connecting with clients during team training.
Nicki Abid
Trainer
Emma Speller
Puppy Program Instructor
Sean Jenkins
Puppy Program Instructor
Emma Bluhm
Puppy Program Instructor
Emma graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a specialization in marketing. She has been volunteering in the service dog industry since 2017, raising future service dogs. She believes that teamwork and communication are pivotal and cannot wait to connect with volunteers, coworkers and stakeholders.
Rachel Gallant
Breeding and Animal Health Manager
Rachel comes to NSD with over 6 years of experience working and volunteering in the service dog industry. She started this journey at the University of Guelph where she began fostering service dog puppies and has since raised 6 puppies. Her past experiences in whelping, neonatal care, puppy training and veterinary care will be a great asset to the NSD team. Rachel enjoys hiking with her pet Molson (Moe for short), relaxing at the cottage and advancing her dog knowledge however possible. Rachel is looking forward to working and getting to know all the volunteers that support NSD with their ongoing mission!
Tara Kirkby
Whelping and Animal Health Assistant
Tara’s love of dogs and interest in giving back to her community were the reasons she initially became involved with NSD as a puppy raiser, breeder caretaker, and whelping home volunteer. She thoroughly enjoys the NSD culture and community and is excited to be a member of their team and support NSD in achieving its mission. Tara continues to be the breeder caretaker for NSD Hazel and NSD Penelope and looks forward to lots more puppies!
Paula Zimmermann
Canine Development & Operations Assistant
Paula graduated from the University of Guelph with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology and Conservation. She began her career working with a wide range of exotic animals in a zoological facility but has always had a passion for dogs and volunteering within the community. She has been volunteering in the service dog industry for the past 3 years, raising and puppy-sitting future service dogs. Outside of work, Paula enjoys camping, hiking with her dog Wren, and spending time with her partner and family. Paula looks forward to expanding her knowledge of dog training and health, supporting her fellow co-workers, and building a relationship with the volunteers who make NSD’s mission possible.
Lynne Davidson
Fund Development Specialist
Lynne comes to NSD with over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector in various roles including, volunteer management, public and community relations, grant writing, special events fundraising and as a Deafblind Intervenor. Outside of work, Lynne enjoys live music, movies, travel, and loves spending time with her partner, family and close friends. Lynne is a rookie dog enthusiast and the only member of the NSD team that has never had a dog but is happy being an Aunt to the many beautiful dogs that she is lucky to be surrounded by every day. Lynne looks forward to a long career at NSD and to working closely with members of the community, and the amazing team of staff and volunteers to make an impact on the lives of our clients.
Cindy Webb
Event Coordinator
Cindy comes to NSD with 15+ years of experience in the hospitality business. She started out as a suite hostess at the Kitchener Auditorium and has worked in many areas of the hospitality industry ever since. Everywhere from Terminal Manager of Food & Beverage at Toronto Pearson Airport to General Manager of Premium at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton. Cindy has managed many large-scale events in the premium areas though out North America such as Rogers Cup, Honda Indy, BNP Paribas Open in Palm Springs, Texas Motor Speedway 500, Four Seasons in Toronto to name just a few.
Cindy: “I am so happy to be working with the National Service Dogs. How lucky am I to do what I love and be around these special dogs daily. It is a great feeling knowing what I do helps make a difference in people’s lives. I am truly grateful to be a part of this amazing team.”
Vrinda Gaur
Volunteer Coordinator
Margie Rolston
Bookkeeper
Margie has been NSD’s Bookkeeper since 2001. She continues to keep our books in order while also handling our payroll and tax receipting. Working for NSD has become a love for Margie, not only with our adorable and lovable four-legged wonders, but the two-legged dedicated staff as well. In her spare time, Margie loves scrapbooking, spending time with her hubby and daughter, and making others smile!