Odessa Gunn, President

I’m from Nova Scotia Canada; I’ve traveled the world, I’ve raced my bike at the highest level but I'm most proud of the 20 plus years I’ve dedicated to animals. 

Animals (dogs especially) have always been part of my identity, my soul, my heart. When I see images or videos of animal abuse, when I see wet markets in person, when I see lobsters in tanks, I feel sick and weak. Their suffering is my suffering and in truth, what we do to them we do to ourselves.

I hope the human race will someday cease to treat all other species as a warehouse of supplies, with no regard for their pain and suffering, but hope doesn’t help them. Only action can do that, so I’ve formed this team of talented people to do something. 

Together we will change the ratio of good vs evil in this world, one animal at a time. 

Keli Hendricks, Vice President

Keli is a former professional horse trainer who now serves as the Ranching With Wildlife Coordinator for Project Coyote where she helps ranchers and the general public with non lethal strategies for protecting pets and livestock. As a long time volunteer with Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, Keli works in the hospital and fosters dozens of orphaned wild babies every year. Keli is excited to be on the Little Trooper Ranch board and to help even more animals in need.

Mark Penn, Secretary

Mark was born with a passion for animals that has followed him through his life. That, combined with a desire to serve others, has led him to a number of animal welfare organizations along his path. Besides his service on several nonprofit boards, Mark has spent many years as a transporter of rescue dogs and cats from high kill environments in their search to find forever homes.

Beyond volunteer work, Mark has had several interesting careers, including teaching, aviation (both as a pilot and an air traffic controller), music, and real estate. Several of these included positions of leadership which provided him experience that he has put to use in assisting non-profit boards of directors. Mark is humbled to have been asked to serve on The Little Trooper Ranch Board, and looks forward to helping it fulfill its mission. A Bay Area native and longtime former resident of Sonoma County, Mark currently makes his home in the Coachella Valley, and is “owned” by his three beagles and rescue chihuahua.

Dr. Bill Barboni, DVM, Board Member, and LTR Concierge Veterinarian

Dr. Barboni graduated from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1979.  He has owned and operated Marin Pet Hospital since 1982. Dr. Barboni has dedicated himself to providing the best care to his patients.

Dr. Bill has worked extensively with rescue groups and the Marin Humane Society, providing many of his services at little or no cost. If the will and spark of life is seen in the animal’s eyes, he will do all he can to support and treat him or her. He is a member of AVMA and CVMA, and we are tremendously grateful to him for all he does for the animals under his care.

Carolee Verdier, Treasurer

If you’re a feral cat in Sonoma County or any one of the 27 places Carolee Verdier has lived around the World, you probably know this champion for the animals. Carolee currently feeds four feral cat colonies, 7 days a week, and does transport for Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County. After acquiring an associate's degree in business in 1960, Carolee has had a long and impressive list of accomplishments including many managerial positions. She was President of Protestant Women of the Chapel in Hawaii, a church treasurer, the administrative assistant to the head of the USAFA Library, and a member of the Deacon’s Assistance Fund which distributed money to the homeless, to name just a few. Since she was 6 years old, she has had at least one cat and one dog at any given time. We had the good fortune of crossing paths with Carolee when she adopted one of our rescues from China, our beloved Chaco who loves his new life with two cats, Carolee and her husband Paul. 

Tim Schaefer, Board Member

A Minnesota native, Tim currently makes his home in Sonoma County. Tim is a graduate of North Dakota State University, and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve. Currently a Captain with United Airlines, Tim has spent many of his non-flight hours at Little Trooper Ranch, using his electrical and plumbing skills (among others) to help prepare the LTR intake facility for the future arrival of homeless dogs. Perhaps his most important role at Little Trooper Ranch is what we call “C.O.B.R.” – also known as Chief of Belly Rubs.

Tim has dedicated all of his LTR work to the memory of his departed rescues Maximus and Lucilla, "in the hope that their friends might find their loving forever homes too."  We are forever grateful to Tim for his invaluable assistance preparing the Ranch for its important work.

Robyn Leonard, Board Member

Robyn grew up on the East Coast and in the Midwest. After obtaining a degree in business administration at (The) Ohio State University, she went on to study law at the University of Denver. Robyn is a partner at the law firm Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP.

Robyn’s work with animals in the Bay Area has been nonstop, having volunteered as a dog walker at the SF/SPCA for over ten years. She has also been involved with fundraising for various animal welfare organizations, including the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA and the Marine Mammal Center.

One of Robyn’s passions is working to save dogs from the meat trade in China. To that end, she has made six trips overseas, escorting 31 rescued dogs (and one cat!) to the U.S to start their new lives.

Robyn lives in San Francisco with her 13-pound soul mate (and rescue dog), Wrigley. Whether it’s in the courtroom, or in the streets of China, Robyn is a warrior, and we are grateful to have her on our Board as she continues her work on behalf of animals in need.