Susan joined the Canines for Service team in October of 2019. Susan is a dynamic, entrepreneurial minded leader with a strong background of successfully coaching operational, marketing and business development teams. Having held senior level positions with North Carolina State University Executive Education, Procter & Gamble and Green Seal, Susan has extensive leadership acumen in both the for profit, and the not for profit, business sectors. She also has previous experience helping veterans improve their quality of life. She was one of three principles that started a medical equipment/universal redesign company that dealt almost exclusively with the Veterans Administration and the Wounded Warrior Program. Susan holds Bachelor of Science degrees from North Carolina Wesleyan College in Business Administration and Criminal Justice. She is passionate about the mission and reach of Canines for Service, and is excited to add her efforts to help save more lives!
SUSAN HEATON
CEO
EMILY MOSS
Lead Trainer
COLLEEN VIHLEN
Development Director
Colleen joined Canines for Service in January of 2017 and serves as Development Director. She is responsible for management, fundraising, grant writing, event planning, corporate sponsorship, and development. Additionally, Colleen works closely with service dog applicants and clients throughout the application process and beyond. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Villanova University and has extensive professional experience in nonprofits, marketing, development, community outreach, and external relations. This role perfectly combines her passion for serving our military community and her love for dogs.
Emily first joined Canines for Service through the Trainers Program and moved into a full-time training role in the fall of 2017. She serves as Lead Trainer, where her responsibilities include managing the training of the service dogs, teaching the internship program and the Military Prison Service Dog Training Program at Camp Lejeune, and working closely with clients both throughout their training with their service dog, and after placement. Emily is a Certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Approved Evaluator and graduated with a B.F.A. from Western Carolina University. She worked in graphic design and marketing prior to following her passion of training service dogs.
DANIELLE THAXTON
Canine Operations Manager
Danielle joined Canines for Service as a volunteer in 2013 with her Canines for Therapy (CFT) dog, Nugget. She began teaching the CFT course and moved into a full-time role 2016. Danielle serves as Canine Operations Manager and is responsible for sourcing rescue dogs for the service dog program, overseeing veterinary care, managing and teaching the CFT program, and teaching the intern program and Military Prison Service Dog Training Program. Danielle is a Certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Approved Evaluator and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and a concentration in Education. The ability to rescue dogs and work with dogs daily has proven to be the perfect fit.
DAVID MCCONNELL
Trainer/Kennel Manager
David joined the Canines for Service Trainers Program in July 2017, advanced to a work study intern, and was brought on as a full-time employee in 2018. His responsibilities include kennel management, service dog training, IT support, and assisting the Lead Trainer in the intern program. He is a Certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Approved Evaluator.
MAYA STEPHENS
Volunteer Coordinator
Maya joined the Canines for Service team in February of 2019. With years of experience as an Executive Assistant, she is an active and pivotal behind-the-scenes team member. Maya coordinates the Canines for Therapy Program and manages our Volunteer Program.
ASHLEY VARLJEN
Kennel Assistant
Ashley joined the team in Spring 2019 with prior experience working in kennels. She loves taking care of the service dogs in training and meeting all of the amazing volunteers she gets the pleasure to walk with!
SLONE DICKSON
Student Marketing Intern
Slone joined the Canines for Service team in Fall 2019 as a student marketing consultant. A skilled graphic designer with extensive non-profit experience, she has worked with several organizations and small businesses to bring fresh ideas and bold designs to their marketing teams. Slone works with our team on our websites and related marketing projects.
