Maine Paws for Veterans Leadership
Kristina (Kiki) Couch, President
Kiki is a graduate of Simmons College and Harvard Business School and is currently Executive Director of Carrington Capital LLC, an Investment Advisor based in Greenwich CT. Kiki joined Maine Paws for Veterans as a Puppy Foster Mom in early 2022 and soon became fully involved with the ongoing training and joined the board in the fall of 2022. She moved to Freeport, Maine about 20 years ago when her two sons joined the US Army as West Point Cadets. Both are still currently serving at the rank of LT Colonel. That involvement with the military and her love of dogs makes her work with Maine Paws a perfect fit. When not working Kiki enjoys spending time with her four grandchildren and her dog and cat and spending as much time as possible enjoying life in Freeport.
Susan Swanson, Treasurer
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Teresa Clark, Board Member
Teresa grew up moving every 3 to 4 years. as a military brat. Her father was in the Air Force -who was a Korean War and Vietnam War veteran. Moving around the USA and Germany throughout her youth. She joined the US Navy and served from 1980 through her retirement in 2000 as a Chief Petty Officer. During her time in the Navy - she worked as an aviation support equipment electrician including working on diesel and turbine engines. She became a Certified Master Training Specialist – training Navy and Marine Corps trainees on how to work on electrical systems. She completed one tour in a Mobile Maintenance Facility (MMF) and a tour in the VP-5 Squadron as Line Chief and then Maintenance Control Chief – deploying to multiple locations. Her final tour was at NAS Brunswick, Maine. Before retirement, she received her Master’s Degree in Business Education.
Taking a few years off after retiring, she attended the University of New England – completing her second Master’s in Social Work. Offered to her and paid for by the Veteran’s Administration due to her service-connected rating. Upon completion of her Social Work degree, she worked as the Director of the YWCA of Portland Women’s Homeless program. As the YWCA Agency transitioned towards closure, Teresa accepted a position at St. Mary’s Hospital Dual diagnosis program (detox and mental health). She left St. Mary’s and worked at the Crisis and Counseling Center in Augusta as the Crisis Residential Units Director and moved up to the Agency Compliance Director. During this time, she completed requirements for multiple licensures – obtaining her Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Certified Clinical Supervisor, which she maintains all three licensures presently.
In 2010 – she moved to the Veterans Health Administration, accepting the Operation Enduring Freedom – Operation Iraqi Freedom – Operation New Dawn Program Manager at Togus, Maine. Working with returning combat veterans as they transitioned home and into the VA system. She was offered a position at the Lewiston Vet Center to work as an individual and group therapist with veterans – which she accepted in 2012. She retired from the VA in 2023.
She is married to Matthew and has two grown children and four grandchildren. Also living with her and Matt are Minnie, a retired service dog, and a newer family pet, Lula.
Tim Caron, Board Member
Tim is a Navy Veteran and served onboard the U.S.S. Saratoga CV-60 on the flight deck during the first Gulf War. He participated in the original Embrace-A-Vet program and loves working with fellow veterans. Tim enjoys volunteering and participates in the Barbara Bush Radiothon yearly, answering the phone for donations and helping with the annual Rowe Ford Charity Golf tournament held every September. Tim has worked for Rowe Ford for 20 years and works in the Commercial Sales Department, specializing in upfitting vehicles for small businesses and fleet customers.
In his spare time, Tim enjoys playing golf and spending time with friends. Tim grew up in Brownville Junction, Maine, and now resides in Raymond with 2 cats named Ziggy and Kitty.
Shaun M. Hogan, MA1 USN/USNR, Board Member
After graduating from Elmira College and in the aftermath of 9/11, Shaun joined the United States Navy and served as a Master-at-Arms military police K-9 handler. Following a tour of duty in Bahrain which saw him deploy on missions throughout the Middle East, Shaun reported for duty aboard Naval Air Station Brunswick. At the conclusion of a deployment to Afghanistan, Shaun transferred into the United States Navy Reserve where he continued his service at the U.S. Naval War College in Rhode Island.
Shaun went on to serve in the law enforcement and secondary education fields before accepting work as K-9 handler on defense contracts with the U.S. Department of State in Iraq. He now teaches Driver Education to young adults and looks forward to a career in cybersecurity. A graduate of the Maine Paws for Veterans program, Shaun continues to volunteer his time with MPfV as a trainer. He also volunteers on the Town of Brunswick’s Personnel Board and Davis Fund Committee.
He is married to Cassie and resides in Brunswick with his service dog Shiloh, retired working dog Kira, and cat Blue.
Hal Inman, Board Member
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Robert E. Jones, Board Member
From away, Robert is retired having spent most of his adult life in Nevada and Colorado. Currently, he lives on 40 acres of woodland in Wiscasset, Maine, sharing his home with three dogs and a cat. Wootsie, a five-year-old female Australian Cattle Dog, is his constant companion and Service Dog. Too Shy, Ollie, and Chica Bonita complete the family.
Majoring in Economics, Robert graduated from Babson Institute, Wellesley, MA, and subsequently went on active duty as a U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer. With service in Viet Nam, Japan, The Phillippines, and various stateside duty stations, he was an infantry and reconnaissance platoon leader, company executive officer, and company commander. His final duty was as the Assistant Director of the USMC Staff NCO Academy at Marine Corps Base Camp LeJeune, N.C. Subsequent to his 1977 release from active duty into the USMC Reserves, he was promoted to the rank of Major.
Robert began his civilian career in Denver, Colorado, as a municipal bond trader and stockbroker for Merrill Lynch, E.F. Hutton, and Shearson Lehman. Retiring from the financial industry in the early '90s, he continued his entrepreneurial interests as the President of Genesis Medical Technologies, a manufacturer of an innovative needleless injector, and as a professional skydiving cinematographer. As the owner of Skyhi Visual Productions, he produced and sold skydiving training videos and other products for the skydiving sports industry.
In 2010, Robert moved from Denver to Maine to care for his elderly mother and ultimately made his home in Wiscasset. Here he spent several years on the Town Budget Committee and as a volunteer and Board member at MidCoast Humane prior to volunteering at Maine Paws For Veterans and joining its Board of Directors. Robert and his Service Dog, Wootsie, are proud graduates of the Maine Paws for Veterans Service Dog Training Program, Class of 2023.
Besides skydiving, Robert's recreational interests include cooking, photography, playing the guitar and singing, motorcycle road racing, trout fishing, woodworking, and an occasional, lively political debate.
Meghan Myers, Board Member
Meghan is an attorney at Brann & Isaacson, which has offices in Lewiston and Portland. Her practice focuses on trusts and estates, and she enjoys helping clients plan for both their human and their animal family members. Meghan received her undergraduate degree in marketing from Penn State and her JD from the University of Maine School of Law. Prior to law school, she was a sales assistant at WGME CBS 13 in Portland.
In the past, Meghan has volunteered with Fetching Hope Rescue, Discover Downtown Westbrook, and the Rotary Club of Bath. In addition to serving on the board of Maine Paws for Veterans, she is currently a member of the Governance Committee for Oasis Free Clinics in Brunswick.
Meghan grew up in Pennsylvania and the Deep South and now lives in Brunswick with her husband, two sons, and rescue cat. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, vegan baking, gardening with native plants, attempting home improvement projects, and looking for bargains at flea markets and estate sales..
Roger Stevens, Board Member
Roger is a U.S. Air Force veteran serving from 1968-1975. He proudly serves with the VFW, American Legion, Mid-Coast Veterans Council, and the Brunswick Veterans Plaza.
Roger resides in Brunswick with his wife. When he’s not out advocating for veterans, he enjoys fishing, going up to camp, or taking road trips.
David Vaughn, Major USAF, Ret., Board Member
A distinguished Vietnam veteran, David served two tours as a Forward Air Controller in Southeast Asia. After completing his Masters of Arts Program, he taught English at the Air Force Academy. The remainder of his military career he specialized in Safety, Operations and Training assignments in various Air Force organizations. Upon retirement from military service in 1987, David applied his leadership and management experience in the restaurant management and standardized testing economic industries. David is a very active volunteer in the PTS Service Dog Program.
Maine Paws for Veterans Advisors
Sabrina Beganny
Edward L. Bradley
John P. Coray, CDR, USN, Ret.
Roy Driver
Robert E. Healing
Diane Hender
ADM Gregory Johnson, USN, Ret.
COL Kathy Jordan, USAF, Ret.
Joan Reynolds
LCDR Terri Schlotterbeck, USN Ret.
James Smith
Rodney E. Sparkowich
Maine Paws for Veterans Staff
Tracy A. Shaw, Executive Director
As a proud daughter of a Vietnam veteran and spouse of a U.S. Marine, the mission of this organization is near and dear to Tracy Shaw. She brings together considerable experience in both the nonprofit world and the dog training industry, with over 25 years of animal welfare and canine behavior experience.
Tracy served as the executive director of the SPCA of Hancock County, a non profit, donor-funded no-kill animal shelter, and spent seven years volunteering at River Ridge Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center. Her background includes serving as the contract manager for the 341st Squadron, Military Working Dog Breeding Program. In this role she oversaw the daily operations of puppy development and training of over 175 Department of Defense military working dog prospects at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX.
Barbara D. Yeager, Administrator
Barbara was a small business owner for 25 years before transitioning to municipal community services for 15 years. During her career, she has created and facilitated support groups and engaged in non-profit development and volunteer management. Her commitment to being an advocate and engaging in community service continues with her dedication to Maine Paws for Veterans.