Meet the VSTF

The Veterinary Shortage Task Force is Chaired by Cheri Storms, United Spay Alliance Board Member, and Executive Director, Pet Friendly Services of Indiana*

Cheri Storms has served in the animal welfare field since 2005. During her tenure with Pet Friendly Services of Indiana, she has helped grow the organization from a regional service provider to a statewide leader with the mission of dramatically reducing the numbers of unplanned and unwanted litters of cats and dogs – as well as protecting outdoor dogs and cats.

Pet Friendly Services provides free spay/neuter surgeries to rescue groups and shelters and also provides low-cost surgeries to limited-income residents. Our partnership with 125 veterinarians makes this possible.

Filling unique needs is another task undertaken by Pet Friendly Services. Local ordinance updates, improving state legislation, launching the Indiana Animal Welfare Conference, and creating the Community Cat Guide for elected officials are examples of unmet needs that Pet Friendly Services addresses.

Cheri holds an undergraduate degree from Indiana University Bloomington, and a master’s degree in Public & Environmental Affairs from IU Indianapolis. She and her husband enjoy the companionship of five indoor cats and two outdoor cats.

Other Members & Contributors:

Kim Alboum, Director of Field Operations, Bissell Pet Foundation
Loren Breen, Policy & Research Director, Animal Policy Group
Dr. Amy Fischer Brown, Teaching Associate Professor, Extension Faculty Specialist, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
Dr. Phil Bushby, Professor and Marcia Lane Endowed Chair of Humane Ethics and Animal Welfare, Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Jamie Falzone, Executive Director, Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA)
Dr. Laura Frazier, Leader of the Spay-Neuter, Community Outreach and Shelter Medicine service at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. A. Michelle Gonzalez +, Veterinarian and Owner, The Rascal Unit
Sarah Hess, Director of Programs, ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance (ASNA)
Jennifer Hobgood, Senior Director, Legislation, Southern Division, ASPCA Government Relations
Dr. Cynthia Kathir, Training Veterinarian, ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance (ASNA)
Leah Kennon, Medical Director, Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon
Karen Kraus, Executive Director, Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon
Stacy LeBaron +, Head Cat, Community Cat Podcast
Dr. Julie Levy, Fran Marino Endowed Distinguished Professor of Shelter Medicine Education, University of Florida Shelter Medicine Program
Peggy McCarthey, Board Member, Georgia Pet Coalition
Esther Mechler +, Founder, United Spay Alliance
Dr. Becky Morrow +, Assistant Teaching Professor, Penn State University; Adjunct Professor, University of Florida; Medical Director, Vetenari; and Medical Director & President, Frankie’s Friends*
Brianna Lovell Myers, Executive Director, United Spay Alliance
Dr. Phillip Nelson, Board Member, Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs (ACC&D); and former Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences
Dr. Sheila Newenham, HQHVSN Relief Veterinarian
Dr. G. Robert Weedon, HQHVSN Surgeon, Paws Plus Veterinary; Board Member, Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs (ACC&D); and retired Clinical Assistant Professor and Service Head of Shelter Medicine, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
Judy Wolf, Chief Humane Communities Officer, Animal Protection New Mexico*

+denotes member of United Spay Alliance Board of Directors

*denotes member of United Spay Alliance State Leader Network