Meet Our Bonafide Staff

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Joyce was introduced at a young age in Detroit, Michigan to nursing homes and assisted living facilities through her family's ownership, and involvement with them. 

She brings to the organization more than 40 years of experience in the dog fancy in the way of: Obedience training, Therapy Dog training, Dog show confirmation, and breeding champions, some of which have competed in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club at Madison Square Garden. 

Her AKC Champion show dogs have graced the cover of the Alaskan Malamute breed book for TFH publications, have been seen in Saturday Night Live skits, and have had their photos on food containers for Iam’s dog treats. 

In the early 90’s, Joyce sat on the Pet Over-Population board of Palm Beach county where she helped to implement the now “Spay Shuttle” for affordable spay and neuters. She was a past president of the Boca Raton Dog Club, and has had numerous board seats, and memberships in various clubs including: The Alaskan Malamute Club of America, Sunshine Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club, The United Poodle Association (UPA), and The Therapy Dog Foundation of South Florida.

She is a Board Advisor to 2gether Furever, a Non-profit Charitable 501(c) 3. This organization helps our Veterans, and 1st Responders get trained Service dogs to help in their everyday lives.

She is also a Member of APDT - 

The Association of Professional Dog Trainers 

After the passing of her longtime friend of 25 years, and mentor Lynn Hoffman founder of The Therapy Dog Foundation, Joyce continued her legacy and became the Co-Founder, and Vice President of Certified Therapy Dog, Inc.

Joyce's 40 years of experience in the dog fancy, and training helped create the organization from infancy, and helped to establish the training techniques used by the organization today. 

She prides herself with making

Bonafide Therapy Dogs, Inc.

into the incredible organization it is today, with having a wonderful dedicated staff, and team members that volunteer at a moments notice to help others. She wanted to bring out the best in each team by implementing comprehensive training, attention to details, and using enhanced techniques from various sources that gave all of the students a wonderful, and fun experience while working with their dog! Joyce also wanted to follow all of the American Kennel Club guidelines to make sure all teams were being trained properly in all procedures.

She believes all dogs love to work, and all dogs whether purebred or mixed can be an asset to it's owner.  

 Today she is an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator, an AKC ATT Judge, and an AKC Canine Ambassador. She is involved with rescuing efforts of both canine and felines in Palm Beach and Broward counties. She highly believes in responsible dog ownership, with a fun approach to positive reinforcement between owner/handler and their fur baby. 

She resides in Boca Raton with her husband Peter, Aussie Doodle Hayli who is a Bonafide Therapy dog Excellent ( THDX) with a AKC Novice Trick Dog title, Standard Parti Poodle Mati a  Bonafide Therapy dog Excellent (THDX), who is also a group winning AKC / UKC Grand Champion / International show dog, Miniature Parti Poodle Jeri, a AKC / UKC Grand Champion / International show dog, Therapy Dog Novice (THDN), 2 rescue cats (Charli and Caci) and parrot (Maxi).

Their beloved Standard Parti Poodle Henri who was a Bonafide Therapy Dog, and remains the face of Bonafide Therapy Dogs, Inc. Passed away suddenly on 5/9/2021. He left this wonderful legacy for all to fill, and we continue in his memory! Henri was a star, and influencer in his own right on Instagram (#Henrisparti) with over 5600 followers. His page will forever continue on with new memories.

Lisa grew up with dogs her whole life, and always loved to rescue, and help others in need. In her free time she has donated her time to the following rescues:

100 plus, Pet Cottage Sanctuary, and Big Dog Ranch.

She helps out with people that can no longer take care of their dogs, and the elderly that need their dogs rehomed due to an illness or have to moved to an assisted living facility.. 

Lisa is a full time Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty , where she quickly earned in 2019 "Rookie of the year". Today she  maintains the top 20 spot in the organization, and her expertise lies in finding people their dream home in Pet Friendly Communities.

We are so excited to have her, since she brings with her knowledge of web development, and social media connections.

Lisa resides in Coconut Creek, and California with her husband Jim, and their rescue cat Josh.

Jennifer has had a wide variety of  dog breeds throughout her lifetime and has breed long haired dachshunds for over 20 years. 

Her Therapy Dog training location is in:

 Royal Palm Beach

Currently she has 3 Dogs that have completed all 3 AKC CGC levels, and are now Certified Bonafide Therapy dogs, Ellie a Mini Longhaired Dachshund, Harley a Mini Longhaired Dachshund, 

and Petra a Doberman. 

 She actively trains her dogs in  conformation and has had over a dozen AKC champions,  has exhibited at the Westminster Kennel Club and earned awards at the AKC National Championships, and she supported her three children who competed in junior showmanship at the national level.

She is an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator who enjoys other activities with her dogs including barn hunt, and obedience.

Jennifer actively trains, and mentors families of dogs she has bred, as well as others on handling obedience. 

She has been a long time employee of the Palm Beach County School system, and resides in Loxahatchee with her husband Dave, 3 children and an array of gorgeous dogs.

Marcus has been involved with therapy dog training for the past 10 years. He is a senior at American Heritage in Boca/Delray. He was one of 10 students awarded a 100% academic scholarship out of 500 applicants.

 Marcus is a high achiever who loves to give back to the community through his dedicated volunteer services with Bonafide Therapy Dogs.

His role with Bonafide Therapy Dogs includes engaging teenagers who want to be involved with our mission. He also promotes our mission by contacting other dog-related local businesses to promote each other through social media. 

Marcus is being mentored by one of our AKC evaluators in therapy dog training as he aspires to become a certified AKC Evaluator himself one day. Marcus helps families and their wonderful dogs to become therapy dogs through proper training.

This young man brings with him kindness and a caring way, and has a special way with dogs, children and the elderly. We are fortunate to have him to bring awareness to the next generation of Therapy Dog Teams.

Marcus is the 2024 recipient of the 

Presidential Volunteer Gold Award.

Deb grew up with a love of animals, especially dogs! Her grandmother raised everything from German Shepherds to canaries. My protector, growing up, was a Silver and Black Saddle Shepherd, named Lady, who was the Granddaughter to Rin Tin Tin. Mom, as I called her, taught me a love and respect for all animals, but her dogs were extra special to her. They have always had a special place in my heart because their love is pure and unconditional. 

Her husband, a retired Lieutenant with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and native New Yorker, also had a love for animals but never owned a dog till they were married. Now, in our 33 years, we have had numerous dogs, ferrets, birds and even snakes in our menagerie, but it’s our dogs that have become a part of our family. 

Both of her dogs Cielo, and Dusty are not only Bonafide Therapy dogs, but also Service dogs.

Deb is not only a team leader, but she is one of our AKC Approved CGC Evaluators, and ATT Judges and has many years of experience in Service Dog training. She has helped many people with disabilities, to do their task work with their dogs. 

She is also the founder of a 501c3 Non-Profit organization called 2getherFurever, Inc.

They are dedicated to serving our Veterans and First Responders through our core values and our understanding of what they may face on a day-to-day basis. They provide the best therapists we know of...our beloved and faithful canine companions! They can help you with training your dogs in a wide variety of ways! They have a dedicated team that will be there to assist you, listen to you and provide you with the right tools to get you and your new partner on the road to a happy new life. They take great pride in their "family" and creating an atmosphere where you will feel safe and accepted! There will always be a place for you at 2gether Furever. Thank you for your service and welcome to our family!

2getherfurever.com

 Rose is a Bonafide Team Leader, and a AKC Approved CGC Evaluator! 

Rose is a social worker (MSW) and is an amazing FAU teacher, who helps coordinate events for students dealing with mental health issues, and every day life with our therapy dog teams.

She first became aware of the role of therapy dogs when she was a young girl. Her grandma had a therapy dog (Lady) and would routinely visit hospitals with her. When Rose got Violet , an English Cream Golden Retriever, she knew that she wanted to follow in her grandma's footsteps! 

Rose and Violet have been a certified Bonafide therapy dog team since June 2021, where their first assignment was responding to the Surfside building collapse. 

They volunteer with Bonafide Therapy Dogs as often as they can, going to nursing homes, libraries, schools, and hospitals. Additionally, 

Rose and Violet recently welcomed another member to their family- Goose! He's also an English Cream Golden Retriever and he is roughly one year old. Goose was rescued from the streets of Tampa, and is now a certified Bonafide therapy dog. 

Lisa has been a volunteer, and Bonafide's treasurer for many years. 

She is an AKC CGC evaluator, and was mentored by the late Lynn Hoffman who founded the first Therapy Dog foundation in South Florida. Through Lynn's mentorship, Lisa was introduced to Joyce, the founder of Bonafide Therapy Dogs and together they made it their mission to continue Lynn’s legacy.

Lisa owns a Financial Marketing business and is a College Advisor working with local high school students. She has engaged numerous dogs and owners to join the therapy dog mission.

She has been promoting BTD to local assisted living facilities, within the area that love to welcome the therapy dogs.

She is dedicated to establishing the bond between the elderly, and young through the relationships they build with the dogs and their owners during their visits.