Board Of Directors
West Michigan Therapy DogsMeet our Board of Directors
Meet the 2021 Board of Directors!
Our leadership consists of WMTD members who volunteer their time to serve on our board apart from volunteering with their dogs. They help us ensure our organization operates smoothly and continues to grow and improve.
President
Heather McCormick
As President, I am working towards creating a working website that ensures both volunteer teams and facilities that want to partner with us, have access to quick clear information. It is important to me that our organization continues to have a positive impact on our communities for decades to come. I have always worked in the service industry but focused specifically on healthcare. For the last 12 years, I have worked in the veterinary medicine field.
My family has always included dogs. I joined WMTD in 2009 and my first certified therapy dog was Clarence Ebinezer, a French Bulldog. His 10 years of volunteer work showed me just how important dogs are to human healing. All program visits are rewarding, but, our dogs are the ones who pick where we go. Their love of working is what makes our volunteer time enjoyable.
There are very few therapy dog organizations in Michigan, and even fewer that train and support therapy teams on a one-to-one basis. WMTD is unique in its conception and execution. It is very important to me that this organization is viable for years to come. My hope for WMTD is that it is a healthy organization that survives long into the future. Human pain—mental or physical— is something that will forever need the kindness and understanding of a dog.
Vice President
Cindy Bateson
As Vice President, I work directly with the President to assist with the website, finding site coordinators, and responding to email inquiries. I recently retired after 41 years with Consumers Energy. My early career was in Human Resources and later in Low Voltage Long Range Planning. Retirement has allowed me to further pursue philanthropic endeavors, such as WMTD. I previously was involved in homelessness efforts, both locally and statewide. Though I still support those efforts, my time has been spent primarily with WMTD lately. In addition, I’ve also been a Team Leader with Wines for Humanity, a certified TIPs Instructor, and served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness.
I have had many animals since childhood, from rats to horses—but one that has been constant through the years is dogs. I experienced the impact of a dog visit many years ago when I snuck my small dog, Tito, into the nursing home to visit my mother. The joy and laughter that he brought my mom and the staff during that visit made a lasting impression and I knew I wanted to eventually pursue that endeavor.
I joined WMTD in 2023 with my French Bulldog, Kirby. He is the youngest of 3 dogs in my household; I also have 2 rescue dogs, Benny and Harper. Kirby and I regularly visit Corewell Rehab in Kentwood, where I am the Site Coordinator. We have also visited other nursing homes and assisted living facilities. And, we enjoy school visits during exam time.
I believe WMTD is in a position to continue to build a community of teams that are supported, skilled, confident, and successful in bringing comfort, joy, and laughter. WMTD can raise awareness of the benefits therapy dogs provide, and subsequently meet the needs of West Michigan communities–one wag at a time.
Secretary
Pat Nicholls
As Secretary, I publish minutes from our monthly board meetings. Before retiring 5 years ago, I worked for the Chrysler Corporation for 30 years as the manager of Purchasing Systems. And 3 years ago, after I retired, I moved to the Grand Rapids area.
I have always loved animals. Growing up, our dog was the center of our family. When I retired and decided I wanted to be active in volunteering, it was an obvious choice to certify Sierra as a therapy dog. Her personality is perfect and volunteering together has increased the bond we have with each other. And, what better way to volunteer than to always bring along one of your best friends?!’
Sierra has been certified as a therapy dog for a total of 6 years, but we completed training with WMTD in 2022 and have been very active since then. I understand the effort and work required behind the scenes to successfully manage a large diverse organization such as WMTD. With my background both professionally and with previous therapy dog experience, I feel I am a good fit on the board. I love visiting the airport because of the diversity. We encounter people of all ages and all different emotions, whether it’s happy, sad, frustrated, bored, excited, scared or lonely. It highlights the scope of support capable of a therapy dog team. I hope that WMTD can continue to grow, providing a broad range of opportunities for their teams to serve their community.
Office Coordinator
Shari Duthler
As the Office Coordinator, I take care of the daily correspondence for WMTD and also keep our members up-to-date on their vaccinations for their dogs, make sure they recertify when the time comes, get tests set up, classes set up, and so much more. I also evaluate and teach the training classes. I joined WMTD in 2003, but have worked for WMTD for the last 5 years.
I have had dogs most of my life and I have been involved with WMTD for over 20 years. I have had 4 dogs that have been my teammate with WMTD. With my therapy dogs, I have loved visiting DeVos Children’s Hospital, Mary Free Bed, Gerald R Ford Airport, and so many more! My hope for the future of WMTD is that we get a facility of our own with a fund to take care of upkeep expenses. A place where we can not only hold tests and classes but a place we can gather and get to know each other better with more member events. I also hope for a fully working website that is user-friendly for all!
Treasurer
Jessica Walters
As the Treasurer, I am responsible for managing and overseeing WMTD’s finances, ensuring financial policies are followed, and providing accurate financial reporting. My responsibilities include budgeting, financial reporting, ensuring compliance with regulations, managing accounts, overseeing audits, and contributing to strategic financial planning. I advise the board on financial decisions to ensure the financial health and sustainability of the organization. In my professional career, I am currently a benefits consultant and the COO of Total Control Health Plans.
Growing up on a horse farm, my life was deeply intertwined with animals from a very young age. Our farm was alive with all kinds of animals, from dogs and horses to chickens and barn cats, each contributing its own rhythm to the pulse of daily life. I spent my childhood not just caring for them, but actively engaging in training, nurturing, and even competing with them. I joined WMTD in 2019. My therapy dog, Breslin and I love the Ruff Readers program. He loves engaging with the kids, helping them relax, and enjoys all of their snuggles while I get to listen to them read and learn about them through their stories. My hope for WMTD is to continue to expand access to therapy dogs and broaden the impact of underserved communities as well as to continue to raise public awareness about the benefits of therapy dogs and how they are different from other types of service animals.
Director of Education & Training
Katie Duthler
As the Director of Education and Training, I teach the Intro to Pet Therapy classes as well as help with prescreens and recertifications. In my professional career, I am currently the accounts payable manager and receiving manager at Orchard Market with a ton of background working with dogs at daycare/boarding/training facilities.
I have grown up with dogs and have many years of experience working at a dog daycare/training facility. I officially joined WMTD as a junior handler in 2009 with Charley, a Golden Retriever, however, I have been helping with classes and testing since 2005. WMTD has been such a huge part of my life and now as an adult, I want to be in a position that will allow me to help this organization grow. My favorite programs to visit are the Mary Free Bed Christmas Program and Ruff Readers. My hope for WMTD is that it will continue to grow and have more dogs touch the lives of many throughout the community.
Volunteer Coordinator
Sue Huyck
As the Volunteer Coordinator, I am of service to the organization in a different capacity other than volunteering as a therapy dog team in the community at WMTD programs. In addition to being a member of the board, I currently volunteer on testing days and help out during training classes, and enjoy it very much.
I have been an active member of WMTD since 2011. I have had the pleasure of working as a volunteer team with two of my therapy dogs over the years: Jagger and Gregor. Maxwell will be my third therapy dog; we’ll become a team this spring after completing the WMTD training course. My passion has always been serving the WMTD programs as a team with my therapy dog. My hope for WMTD is to continue to grow in the number of volunteer teams in order to fulfill the needs and requests of all programs in West Michigan. As an all-volunteer non-profit organization, the challenge is great but, with dedicated leadership all the goals of the organization can be met!
CoFounder
Jeanne Lewis
I am currently not a board member but have taken up the “founder” position to observe and contribute where and when I can. I wanted to stay a part of the organization to keep an eye on what I started. I currently teach and test teams that come through our therapy dog classes. I am currently retired, but I have worked previously as a canine trainer and doggy daycare manager.
I never really joined WMTD… I started it. So, you could say I joined at about 2:30 PM, Saturday, May 19, 2001, while sitting in Riverside Park after visiting the veterans home. I don’t have a favorite program, but I enjoy visiting Mary Free Bed. I’d love to see WMTD long after I’m gone. I would like to see WMTD have a true home of its own—a training facility where we can rent space to other trainers. Then, we could have a real hospital bed and several other items we use for training classes
Director of Communications
Heidi Yahrmarkt
As the Director of Communications, I coordinate communications with members and help communicate over social media too. I have worn many hats in my professional life. I managed a $250,000,000 business, I am a para pro at a private school, I am an office manager for my husband, and I am a mom–just to name a few.
I had dogs growing up my entire life and joined WMTD about 2.5 years ago. I believe in WMTD’s mission and want to help further the organization in any way I can which is why I am a member of the board. We love visiting Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital every month doing room-to-room visits. And, I loved visiting AeroMed this past summer. My hope for WMTD in the future is to continue the amazing work that our organization has done for almost 25 years and expand to places that would benefit from our visits.
Director of Programs
Diane Cutler
As the Director of Programs, I am privileged to promote and oversee the many programs WMTD participates in. As new organizations reach out, I evaluate them for viability with our guidelines and then seek volunteer teams who would like to participate. I have spent my entire professional career in the public library field including managing a branch that continues to have a strong Ruff Reader program. There is nothing that makes my heart happier than watching a child and a dog get excited about books and want to read more.
I’ve been a member of WMTD since 2004 with one Westie or another. My last therapy dog passed in 2019 and we finally added a Westie pup to the family this year. Fingers crossed he will enjoy volunteering as much as I do! My past volunteering has been with Ruff Reader programs in several library branches. Now that I’m retired, I’m excited to try new opportunities with a new pup. I am excited about bringing the new website and online tools to our volunteers. My library positions helped me get comfortable with regular changes as well as teaching technology to others. I hope that the new website will be one successful step in creating meaningful volunteer opportunities for our teams.
Meet the 2021 Board of Directors!
Our leadership consists of WMTD members who volunteer their time to serve on our board apart from volunteering with their dogs. They help us ensure our organization operates smoothly and continues to grow and improve.
President
Paula Nelson
A lifelong dog-lover, Paula was thrilled to discover WMTD in 2004. As a retired Social Worker and Certified Senior Advisor, Paula can put her passion into action through volunteering with WMTD. Her first therapy dogs were Aslan and Bella, both shetland sheepdogs. They visited Mary Free Bed, DeVos Children’s Hospital, Ruff Readers, and more. After Aslan passed, she got Emma, a cocker spaniel she found through WMTD that needed a home. Emma is now ten years old and loves to visit DeVos Children’s Hospital, the Courthouse program, Ruff Readers, College Stress Visits, and Visually Impaired Sports Day. People remember her for her “wiggle butt.” Paula has been on the board since 2007 and has served as the Director of Projects, Vice-President, and now President. She is proud to be part of WMTD and looks forward to seeing it grow further.
Secretary
Margie Kindel
In 2014, Margie worked at the Ronald McDonald House and loved seeing the WMTD teams visit with the families and staff. Preparing to retire, she had a seven-year-old Labrador Retriever named Barley and felt WMTD was a way for them to stay active in the community. The two volunteered for many years at Clark Retirement Home, and they enjoy the Dog Wash at White Caps Park, Starlite Cancer Camp, and WMTD picnics. In 2017, Margie joined the board as a Member at Large and became our Secretary in 2018. Since then, she and a fellow Board Member launched the monthly member newsletter.
Treasurer
Steve and his Golden Retriever Jack have been members of WMTD since 2017, and in 2018 Steve joined the Board of Directors as the Treasurer. He currently works in Corporate Finance at Wolverine Worldwide, and his knowledge and passion for finance are a great asset to our team as the Treasurer. He and Jack enjoy spending time with his wife Lindsey and children Joseph and Juliet.
Director Of Programs
Working alongside a veterinarian for 10 years and owned countless dogs over the years, Heather is known as a dog enthusiast and bully breed lover. She discovered early on that where you go, dogs want to go and enjoys sharing her dogs with the community. Her first West Michigan Therapy Dog was Clarence, a French Bulldog who spent 12 years volunteering with WMTD alongside his sister Fiona. Heather now has two new dogs joining the family legacy of therapy dogs. Through her time with WMTD, she’s had the privilege to volunteer at colleges, the Airport, and several hospitals. She looks forward to the accomplishments of the next generation of therapy dogs in her family.
Director Of Membership
After working for 42 years in an office, Sandee was looking for something to do for fun while being a productive member of her community. In 2012, she joined WMTD with her dog Chewy. They visited nursing homes and worked with physically and mentally challenged adults. After Chewy crossed the Rainbow Bridge, she got Nala, her three-legged golden retriever. Because of Nala’s handicap, they settled into the Ruff Reader program, where Nala shines. Along with therapy visits, Sandee also loves helping and instructing WMTD classes.
Director Of Education & Training
For the past 30+ years, Jeanne has worked in many different capacities with dogs and their handlers, whether it’s puppy socialization or therapy dog training. Jeanne is one of our cofounders, and back in 2001, she and a friend saw a need in the community for pet therapy, and our organization was born. Her first West Michigan Therapy Dog, Indigo Blu girl, was a magnificent Great Dane born with an old soul. Jeanne truly believes if it hadn’t been for Indigo, there would be no WMTD. Today, Jeanne serves on the board as our Director of Training and volunteers with her dog, Rosie. Rosie is a great role model to her younger sister, Pearl, who dreams of being a therapy dog one day too.
Director Of Projects
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Liz spent 15 years working in marketing for General Motor’s Buick Division before retiring at 38 years old. She began volunteering with Community Spay/Neuter Initiative (CSNIP) and served on their Board of Directors for a few years. After she got her first Golden Retriever, she got involved with WMTD and has been since 2003. She is now volunteering with her fifth therapy dog. Liz opened and ran Pawsitive Canine Training Center in Lowell for twelve years, which gave her great experience in the dog therapy world. She always wanted to volunteer, and Liz feels fortunate that she has been able to for the past 20 years.
WHAT IS PET THERAPY?
Pet therapy is a broad term that includes animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and other animal-assisted activities. AAT involves animals to help individuals, many with health problems, to cope or recover, whether it’s cancer, mental health issues, physical disabilities, and more. Animal-assisted activities are volunteer-based and meant to provide comfort and enjoyment to senior citizens, children, and others.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc. (WMTD) is a group of volunteers who provide Animal Assisted Activities to various groups in Western Michigan. Our services are free, and we do not accept monetary reimbursement for any of the services our members provide.
DONATE
We are a 501(c)(3) organization, and donations help us continue growing and reaching our goals. If you are interested in supporting our mission so we can serve more people in West Michigan, consider donating.