Our Team

Marilyn Edwards is recognized by many as the woman with Roo, the French Bulldog in the stroller, or with Mister, her portly bulldog companion. Her pet therapy journey began in April 2004 when she joined Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society) with Babs, a rescued boxer mix. After retiring from Procter & Gamble in 2008, Marilyn became a Pet Partner Evaluator and Instructor, Master Gardener, and joined Southwest Ohio Critical Incident Stress Management with her dog Maggie, supporting emergency workers.

In 2012, Marilyn established Trumbull Memorial Hospital’s pet therapy program while volunteering throughout Youngstown. During her 20 years of service, she has shared her therapy dogs in retirement homes, hospitals, schools, and businesses, creating meaningful connections and providing comfort to countless individuals in need.

Deb Newstrand, an Oregon transplant, retired from Kroger in 2017 after 39 years in Workers’ Compensation. Deb is a licensed Pet Partners Evaluator and conducts evaluations at St. Elizabeth. Deb’s passion stems from a childhood experience when, at age four with bandaged eyes after surgery, she found comfort in visits from a black and white bulldog—a meaningful memory that drives her desire to create similar experiences for others.

Louise Nathanson is a wife, mother of three daughters, grandmother of four, and devoted dog mom to two golden retrievers. An Anderson Township resident since 1987, she remains a Kentuckian at heart. In 2021, Louise joined Pet Partners as a volunteer without a therapy animal while waiting for her sixth golden retriever to mature. She now visits with Nugget at Turpin High School.

During this time, she has assisted with evaluations and workshops, gaining valuable knowledge about both Pet Partners operations and animal training techniques. With over 30 years of accounting and tax experience, Louise recognizes the importance of pet therapy beyond traditional settings like medical facilities and schools, extending to corporate environments. She takes pride in helping reduce workplace stress as employees return to in-person positions.

Debbie Bauer joined PPGC as a volunteer in 2022, following her retirement from a 30-year career in law enforcement. She sought a volunteer opportunity that combined her passions for animals and senior citizens. Having previously volunteered at an assisted living facility for six years, Debbie witnessed firsthand how animal visits brightened residents’ and employees’ days.

Though she initially didn’t have a qualified therapy animal, Debbie offered her administrative skills to support PPGC’s mission. She assists with evaluations, works with the Pet Therapy Support Team for 1st Responders, and handles various organizational tasks. Recently, Debbie became a dog mom to Piper, a miniature Bernedoodle puppy, and rescued Coco, a 3-year-old Cockapoo. She hopes that within a year, one or both dogs will be ready for evaluation as therapy animals, enabling them to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Trish Smith, known as Rosie’s Mom, has been a PPGC member since 2022. She and Rosie visit Bethesda North Hospital and Hospice of Cincinnati weekly, while also participating in varied requests at schools, special education classes, corporations, and first responder events.

Retired after 44 years in the insurance industry, Trish previously worked as a Program Director with Liberty Mutual and volunteered with the Parkinson’s Foundation, Arthritis Foundation, and Indiana Donor Network.

Originally from Indiana, she moved to Montgomery in 2021 with her husband Dan and their dog Knute. They have 6 adult children and 9 grandchildren. Trish values being part of this caring group, seeing firsthand the impact their teams make and the respect they receive in the community.

Hello!  My name is Gena Stonefield.  My dog Wenli and I have been active members of PPGC since 2023.  We both enjoy connecting with new people, and Wenli especially loves working with children.  We currently have regular visits scheduled at Batesville Primary School and Deer Park Assisted Living and try to work in other visits as well!

I’ve been actively involved with Circle Tail, Inc. since 2019, serving on their Board of Directors from 2019 to 2024.  Currently, I serve as Secretary on the Board of Directors for Independence Alliance in Cincinnati, an organization that supports people with disabilities.  

In my professional life, I’m the Director of Mortgage Sales at First Financial Bank.  I’m interested in serving on the PPGC Board of Directors to help further the organization’s mission and help spread the word about therapy dogs and the amazing work that PPGC members and their dogs do.  

I am a mom of three adult children, Payton, Bryce, and Brooke and currently reside in Sunman, IN with my husband, Don, of 31 years.  We also have a labrador named Starling that I’m hoping to bring into the PPGC family soon!

If you ask my dog, Moose, I’m a full-time chauffeur, treat dispenser, and professional belly-scratcher who disappears behind a glowing screen all day to give attention to people who aren’t him. But when I’m not managing his very busy therapy schedule (complete with window-down car rides and post-visit puppuccinos), I work as a Life Cycle Assessment Expert (aka Scientist) at Procter and Gamble, where I use data and technology to solve big problems and protect our planet. I believe that metrics matter—even the ones that measure tail wags per minute.

I’ve been part of this incredible therapy dog community for over two years, logging more than 135 visits with Moose, who proudly holds AKC titles like TKI & THDA —and probably thinks “AKC” stands for “All Kibble, Constantly.” We also hold our AACR certification. Together, we’ve completed over 11 training classes together from basic obedience to scent work. Whether we’re comforting a sick child or showing off our best “wave” in a hospital hallway, I bring the same enthusiasm to service as I do to my work: data-backed, mission-driven, and heart-first.

At home, I’m happily married to Ben, who tolerates my growing collection of doggie enrichment objects, agility tunnels, and spreadsheets labeled “Treat ROI.” I’m running for trustee to help grow this organization in reach and impact—with a focus on tech-driven outreach, volunteer support systems, and measuring the magic we create. If elected, I promise to give this role the same energy I give Moose at walk time: full-speed, ears-up, and 100% paws in.

Susan Steinhardt has been a member of Pet Partners of Greater Cincinnati since 2014.  Her current pet partner is Isabella (Izzy), a golden retriever who became registered in 2024. Together they make weekly visits to 2 area schools interacting with students with special needs.

Susan was previously PPGC President for 5 years and stepped into the role of executive director to work to ensure sustainability of the group at the request of the PPGC Board.

Terry has been a member of Pet Partners of Greater Cincinnati since 2022 after following Pet Partners for years.  Her initial visits were with her cat Colby.  She now visits with her dog, Dahlia.  Terry has recently become licensed as a Pet Partners Instructor.

Wally and Becky have been a registered team since 02-23.  Wally was adopted at 6-months from Louie’s Legacy and training began on their journey to become a Pet Partners team.  Becky retired in 2021 following a 28-year career at Walgreens as an Asset Protection Manager where she conducted internal investigations. Becky and Wally currently visit Hospice of Cincinnati Inpatient units in Blue Ash and Anderson on a weekly basis.  They also visit monthly to the following places:  Mason Christian Village, Warren County 911 Communications Center, TriHealth Endoscopy and TriHealth Butler Infusion Center.  Becky has been assisting with Handler workshops over the last year and recently decided to become an Instructor to further her Pet Partners journey.

Heather Hauser has been with Pet Partners of Greater Cincinnati since 2018, making pet therapy her mission. She had registered four guinea pigs (Rapunzel, Belle, Olaf, and Jasmine) and currently works with George, her giant rabbit, offering a unique non-dog perspective to the organization. As Vice President, she serves as mentor coordinator and visit coordinator.

Heather is a licensed evaluator and visits St. Elizabeth locations, Family Nurturing Center, nursing homes, and handles numerous special requests. Heather works as an early intervention specialist for the state of Kentucky and  lives in Edgewood, KY with her husband Brad, daughters Rose and Anna, plus their menagerie of guinea pigs, rabbits, and dogs. Her daughter Rose has recently become a junior handler and visits with her dwarf bunny, Alice.

Karen Spradlin has been a member since 2009. In 2015, she became a Licensed Pet Partners Evaluator and Instructor. She has also earned her certification in AACR, Animal Assisted Crisis Response. Karen evaluates and gives Handler Workshops at the Mercy Anderson facility.

Karen has visited with her Labradoodle, Baxter, in many different facilities including READ programs at Batavia Elementary, St. Veronica Elementary, assisted living facilities and Baxter was a courtroom dog. Recently, because he is now 13 years old, she has limited his visits to: Clermont County Juvenile Detention Center, Clermont County Public Libraries (Amelia, Batavia, Milford, and Union Township), UC/Clermont Stress Weeks, Mercy Clermont and Mercy Anderson Hospitals, Funeral homes as a Comfort Dog.

Karen states that working with her therapy animals has been life-changing for her. She is awed by the appreciation and gratitude of patients, clients, students, employees and facility staff when she and Baxter visit. She has seen screaming children become calm and receptive. She has seen the breathtaking transformation of a person at the end of their life. All experiences, of each individual visit, vary. With each visit, Karen always reflects the visit and ponders how wonderful this journey has been.