Kayla Fratt (she/her)
Founder, PhD Student in Wildlife Biology, Certified Dog Behavior ConsultantKayla is currently a PhD student and NSF-GRFP Fellow at Oregon State University in Taal Levi's lab. Her research there focuses on the combination of scat detection dogs and genetic methods to answer questions regarding diet and movement of sea wolves in southeast Alaska and the recolonization of pumas in El Salvador.
Rachel Hamre (she/her)
Founder, Trainer, Data ScientistRachel is currently pursuing a Master's in Data Science at the University of Montana. Alongside her academic endeavors, she holds the title of Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and has a rich history of involvement in dog training and rescues. Her expertise shines in fostering high-drive dogs, where she dedicates herself to enhancing their manners to increase their adoptability.
Heather Nootbaar (she/her)
Founder, Trainer, EcologistGrowing up in the Midwest with a father who bred show dogs, Heather's early years were a menagerie within her own home. From dogs and rodents to birds, her childhood laid the foundation for her deep love and appreciation for animals. This passion guided her academic pursuits, leading her to study zoology at the Ohio State University. Her hands-on experience during this time, conducting mammal surveys and interning at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, solidified her commitment to wildlife conservation.
Jenna Acker (she/they)
Podcast Editor and ProducerJenna is passionate about ethical dog training and handling and is currently mentoring under two Certified Dog Behavior Consultants & Karen Pryor Academy Training Partners in Nova Scotia, Canada. Growing up with a love for all animals, riding horses for 11 years and caring for numerous types of animals, dogs and dog training have now filled the void of what was lost to Jenna’s disability.
Vanessa Lopez (she/her)
Science Communication InternVanessa is a third-year undergraduate student at California Lutheran University, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science with double minors in Communication and Global Studies. Growing up in Santa Maria, CA, on the Central Coast, she developed a love for the outdoors, which inspired her decision to pursue environmental science. After conducting undergraduate behavioral ecology research in Brazil on squirrel monkeys, Vanessa discovered a passion for conservation work. She is driven to continue learning and sharing the vital impact of conservation through communication platforms, highlighting its overall benefits for the planet.
Bernice Morfe (they/them)
Science Communication InternBernice, also known as Binky or Binx, is a video editor from the Philippines who is passionate about conservation—especially animals and the environment.
Growing up, Bernice often wondered how they could make a difference in the world, inspired by those they saw on the news—educating, protesting, and advocating for the environment. Initially, they believed that protesting or becoming a field scientist were the only ways to contribute and felt discouraged by a lack of confidence. Over time, Bernice realized that any effort helps as long as the intention is right. They discovered their skill in video editing as a way to make an impact through science communication, an approach they hadn’t known had a name.
Bernice is excited to learn more with K9 Conservationists and extends a warm greeting: "Maligayang bati!" (a Filipino phrase that usually means "happy birthday," but directly translates to "happy greeting," which they found fitting).
Meet Our
Board of Directors
Meet the committed team of volunteer board members
behind the team at K9 Conservationists.