Veterinary Hope
Foundation Leadership

Krista Martin, Director

Krista Martin received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Sciences from East Texas Baptist University and her Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. During these years, she developed a love for program development and an unfortunate addiction to Tex-Mex. Krista completed the Post Graduate Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program through the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2024.

Krista has 20 years of practice experience in both micro and macro environments. She initially joined Veterinary Hope Foundation in 2022 to develop and implement support groups for veterinarians. Krista is passionate about walking with veterinary professionals as they develop the skills necessary to prioritize their own wellbeing and then leverage those skills to build a better system for all veterinary professionals.

Krista currently serves as the Director for Veterinary Hope Foundation and operates M3 Counseling, a private social work practice specializing in veterinary social work.

Board of Directors

With decades of combined experience in mental health and veterinary medicine, our leadership team meets as partners to create hope and extend support to veterinary professionals experiencing struggle and challenge in a complex and ever changing world.

Blair McConnel, VMD, MBA

Veterinary Hope Foundation Board President
Founder of Spotlight Solutions LLC

Blair has spent her career building new businesses and leading marketing teams in the pet care and livestock space. She is committed to using her skills, network and energy to help veterinarians and their teams.

Dr. Elizabeth Chosa, DVM

Veterinary Hope Foundation Vice President

Dr. Elizabeth Chosa graduated from The University of Georgia in 2005 and has enjoyed a diverse career. She spent five years on active duty in the US Army Veterinary Corps, two years as an associate veterinarian, ten years as a small animal practice owner, and now enjoys working as a relief vet for both ER and GP practices. Dr. Chosa loves being a veterinarian and is passionate about giving back to the profession, both as a cofounder of Veterinary Hope Foundation and a mentor to DVMoms.

Heather Owen, DVM, MAV, CCRP, CCFT

Veterinary Hope Foundation Board Secretary
Owner of Animal Acupuncture

After practicing emergency and critical care medicine, Heather became focused on animal acupuncture. Certified in canine rehabilitation, Heather has made a career rooted in sports medicine, rehabilitation and animal acupuncture.

Dr. Roger Saltman, DVM, MBA

Veterinary Hope Foundation Board Treasurer
Founder of RLS Management Solutions LLC

Roger is the former chief medical officer of Zoetis with over 33 years of experience in the animal health and pharmaceuticals industries. Today, Roger owns a consulting firm specializing in animal health and management, career coaching and financial planning.

Dr. Mike Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP (C/F)

Veterinary Hope Foundation Board Member,
Owner of Cavanaugh Veterinary Consulting

Mike has enjoyed a long career in veterinary medicine, including nearly 15 years in private practice, 14 years in the animal health industry and 10½ years as CEO of the American Animal Hospital Association. Mike now consults with veterinarians and animal health companies to help them achieve their goals.

Dr. Laurie Fonken, L.P.C.

Veterinary Hope Foundation Board Member
Owner of Whole Vets LLC

Laurie has been a counselor and consultant in the area of health and wellbeing for 35 years. The owner of Whole Vets LLC, she offers educational training and consultation to veterinary professionals to strengthen their wellbeing through healthy resilience, engagement and compassion tactics.

Advisory Panel Members

Jen Brandt MSW, LISW-S, PhD, Director of Wellbeing and Diversity Initiatives, Office of the Executive Vice President, AVMA. Veterinary Hope Foundation Advisory Panel Chair

Dr. Ruthanne Chun is a graduate of the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship at Cornell and a residency in Comparative Oncology at Purdue. She is a Clinical Professor, a practicing medical oncologist, and she serves as section head of Oncology and as Chief of Large Animal Services at the SVM

Dr. Kerry Karaffa is a licensed psychologist and mental health coordinator with the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. He earned a M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Oklahoma State University

Dr. Erika Richardson did her undergraduate year and received her doctorate of veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University. Following graduation, Dr. Richardson practiced veterinary medicine in Fayetteville for five years. She then moved to Clayton and cared for many pets in the Raleigh and Rolesville areas for 4 years. She became a member of the Stonewater Veterinary Hospital team in the Summer of 2023, where she currently works.

Dr Tim Kolb has practiced pet animal medicine since graduating from The Ohio State in 1982. He purchased Northwest Animal Hospital in 1991 and gained recognition as a “Practice of Excellence” by Veterinary Economics. In 2001 he opened a Charter Hospital with Banfield and continues to practice there as an Associate Veterinarian. He has been Adjunct Professor, lecturing on Ethics, Jurisprudence, and Wellbeing. He also served the Ohio State Veterinary Alumni Society as President, and currently serves on the college’s Admissions Committee. Dr. Kolb was honored with the 2023 Distinguished Alumni award.

Dr. Pallavi Oruganti was born in India and raised Dayton, Ohio after her family immigrated to the US. After completing her undergraduate degree in Anthropology at The Ohio State University, she went on to complete a Master of Public Health- Veterinary Public Health at OSU. Dr. Oruganti received her DVM from The Ohio State University in 2022.

Veterinary Hope Foundation Leadership

Krista Martin, Director

Advisory Panel Members

Veterinary Hope
Foundation Leadership