Board Members / Board of Directors (5)
Board of Directors have voting privileges.
Board of Directors have voting privileges.
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Board of Directors
Debra Jo Chiapuzio President 
Her first day home! (above)
A natural match!
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You know that old saying, "Jack of all trades, master of none?" Well half of that saying is true, I am a Jack of all trades though I have to admit I have mastered a couple of things in life! I have been both low man on the totem pole and king of my own hill. My experience have all pointed me to this position, I just never knew it at the time. While I have always been grateful to have a job none of them ever incorporated my love for animals before. For the past few years I have owned and ran my own medical tattooing company. When I started this adventure I was an instructor at the International Institute of Permanent Cosmetics. That is what I did for a living. Soon this organization filled my spirit and I became a full time volunteer. I love to spend my time with animals, children or the elderly, they are my favorite parts of being. Since then between my vast experience with animals through a learned experience, education with schools, medical companies and specialized pet instruction I begin teaching pet first aid & CPR. For more information please visit www.doggieandme.com There are many facets of my life although when I was presented with this opportunity I found my soul! Everything thing I have ever done as gotten me here, I am glad I have walked the paths that I have. I saw a pet oxygen mask at a pet first aid presentation and didn’t know what it was. When I found out that there are specifically shaped masks for pets and that fire departments didn't carry them for me that just wouldn't do. So I set out to establish them in my own community. My city however told me I had to jump through some hoops, which by the way didn't deter me. So "Emma Zen" (by the way the organizations name sake is a 100 pound Labrador/Dane Shelter Survivor mix! www.emmazen.com) became a DBA! That's what they wanted that is what they got and Anaheim California got 17 Pet Oxygen Masks! Six months later we were a nonprofit 501 (c) 3! It's the right thing to do. It is a privilege! For the first time in my life what I am doing makes sense for me. I found the key to life! Isn't it great, it is shaped like a dog bone! We have grown and have added board members and the number of part time volunteers that make this organization possible is ever growing. My vision for this foundation is ever expanding too. Now with three major campaigns and some talk about future law making pet safety is my meant to be my, role in life. I am proud to volunteer my time, efforts and frankly a lot of my cash to this organization; I am fortunate for every animal we help touches my life and enriches it in a way only your pets can do. Debra Jo Chiapuzio / President |
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Board of Directors
Jim Chiapuzio Vice President 
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I have been self employed for 30 years as an electrical contractor and as such have learned a few priorities that have helped me create a successful business. Basics are a durable foundation. Answer your phone, keep good records, finish what you start, follow through, give help, accept help and smile. Doing the hard work in the field and in the office has allowed me long term accomplishment and offered many relationships that have furthered my companies success. I believe what I have learned can help the Emma Zen Foundation find their place in the professional field in their pursuit of developing world wide recognition. For more information on my personal occupation please visit me at: www.anthonyelectric.org I have had a few pets in my life but not many until my then girlfriend came into my life, and all kinds of pets have since followed. She opened a world to me I didn't expect to become so involved in: shelter ;pets. I now advocate for adoption and spay and neutering. I am fortunate to volunteer with an organization whose ethics are so upstanding. For me, today's goal is to set up tomorrows rules, I've been researching hard to see what needs to be done to change the laws for our shelter pets. I am so proud to be a part of this organization and all the work that is done to allow for the survival, safety and care of domesticated animals. Jim Chiapuzio / Vice-President |
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Board of Directors
Denise Fleck Treasure, Safety Counsel TEAM Aid, teach 
Denise and her baby Haiku
Denise with Emma Zen
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Denise Fleck has trained with seven national organizations in animal life-saving skills as well as being a long-time rescue volunteer and animal response team member.She has assisted Homeland Security with their K9 Border Patrol First-Aid Program, has developed her own line of Pet First-Aid Kits and is the author of Quickfind Books’ Pet Care Series.She is the Past President of the Volunteers of the Burbank Animal Shelter and is the recipient of the Burbank Police Department’s Volunteer of the Year Award for her work with the animals.Denise is also a freelance writer for numerous animal publications and has received the Award of Excellence from the Cat Writers Association as well as the Maxwell Medallion from the Dog Writers Association of America.Additionally, she teaches Animal Care through the Burbank Unified School District (7 schools currently feed into this Regional Occupational Program) to high school students interested in learning to care for their four-legged friends – pocket pets to farm animals!Denise has shared Pet First-Aid & CPR skills on CBS-TV’s The Doctors, Animal Planet’s Groomer Has It and Pit Boss, Yahoo!'s Animal Nation, A&E’s Kirstie Alley’s Big Life and appears on the KTLA Channel 5 News in Los Angeles sharing pet tips.Denise is owned by two rescued Akitas…Haiku & Bonsai. Learn more at www.sunnydogink.com and www.quickfindbooks.com/petcare. To me, being part of the Emma Zen Foundation, helps realize my goals of helping people help their pets -- what I have been striving to do for almost a decade and a half now through my lectures and writing. Meeting Emma's "mom" and seeing the passion in her when she learned about the need for Pet Oxygen Masks did my soul good as I knew the mission of supplying them to those who could help would be accomplished. To this organization I bring a strong back ground in pet safety and animal care skills which I enjoy sharing with all I come in contact with; experience in talking with the media, pet professionals and pet parents alike as well as those new to the wonderful world of cats and dogs. Additionally, just like a carpenter or a plumber, I know every pet care provider needs the right tool for the job, so my creation of the Sunny-dog Ink Pet First-Aid Kit will serve many first responders in coming to the aid of animals who do so very much for us all. My passion for getting people to truly care for and respect animals drives me to find more ways in which humans can help our four legged friends...and thereby feed our own souls for the betterment of this planet. Denise Fleck / Treasure / Safety Counsel |
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Board of Directors Laura Erickson Safety Counsel TEAM Bark 
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Founder and owner of BARKCODE the ultimate Pet ID tag. I am so concerned with pet safety that I had to find a way to instantaneous recover no matter where I was at. Born was BARKCODE. We created a way to use technologies to establish the owners' whereabouts. I have been an advocate of shelter pets for many years and our company has a partnership program to help give back to organizations and charities in our communities that are supporting pets. So when we were asked to sit on the board of the Emma Zen Foundation and to lead the way of TEAM Bark, it seemed a perfect fit! We are proud to be member of this pet safety organization! For more information please visit: www.barkcode.com And yes, that is the foundations name sake herself, Emma Zen showing off her BARKCODE! |
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Board of Directors
Tanya Stephens Research and Development 
Tanya and Emma Zen
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I have worked in the nonprofit field for the past 5 years with Festival of Children Foundation. I started as a volunteer 7 years ago and was hired as a part time Administrative Assistant 5 years ago. Within 2 months I was full time and in the beginning of 2012 I was promoted to Manager of Communication & Administration. During these past 5 years, I have absorbed as much as I can about nonprofits, grant research and the amazing people that are a part of the nonprofit family. I try to put the knowledge I have gained to help in any way I can. For information on Festival of Children Foundation, please visit: www.festivalofchildren.org I have always been an animal lover but never realized what an impact a “dog” could have on so many lives until I met Emma Zen and her “human” Debra Jo. They are two amazing souls! Being a part of the Emma Zen Foundation is such an honor to me! I will bring the knowledge I have gained in the nonprofit world to help in any way I can. I will help to raise awareness on the importance of Pet Oxygen Masks, Pet First Aid Kits and Pet First Aid Classes, look into grants, advocate for pet adoptions and do whatever else I can to help our “furiends”. Tanya Stephens / Advisory & Research |
Board Members / Chairs (3) / Below
Chairs do not have voting privileges.
However they are some of the most important members of our foundation.
They are each accomplished individuals in their perspective fields and serve as an advisory counsel
for consults in the fields of pet veterinarian care and fire safety protocol.
We rely on their education and experience to guide us.
Chairs do not have voting privileges.
However they are some of the most important members of our foundation.
They are each accomplished individuals in their perspective fields and serve as an advisory counsel
for consults in the fields of pet veterinarian care and fire safety protocol.
We rely on their education and experience to guide us.
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Chair Dr. Pannier, DVM Advisory Counsel 
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She has practiced at Orange Olive Veterinary Hospital since 1992. Over the years, she has seen so much change in our area, but continues to enjoy the same “small town, everyone knows everyone, meet someone in the grocery store” feeling. “I love when clients come into our waiting room and see their neighbor here.” We are also proud of many of our friends and family who have done so much for the safety of pets in our area. One of those is Debra Jo Chiapuzio, president of the Emma Zen Foundation. She has shown remarkable leadership breed through her desire to help your pets be safe. She has been a client for over 12 years and yes the foundation name sake Emma Zen herself is one of our staff favorites! |
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Liz Koskenmaki, DVM
Advisory Counsel 
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Liz Koskenmaki is a Doctor of Veterinarian medicine at Media City Animal Hospital in Burbank, CA. We can not tell you how lucky we are as a nonprofit to have her knowledge and time be a part of our organization. Doctor Liz graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1996. She then moved to California and pursued a career in equine medicine, working with racehorses. From 1998 to 2007 she worked as a small animal veterinarian at Aloro Pet Clinic. In February of 2008, she accepted a position at Media City Animal Hospital, and has been working there ever since. She has aspired to be a veterinarian since age 3, and feels very lucky to be doing what she was born to do: helping and healing animals. She continues to support pets by being our go to girl when it comes to pet health. Topics that a pet safety foundation must work with everyday. |
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Kim De La Peza, DVM
Advisory Counsel 
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Dr. Kim De La Peza, a native of Southern California, graduated from California Polytechnic University, Pomona Summa Cum Laude, before completing her DVM degree at Michigan State University. After graduation, she completed a rigorous small animal rotating internship at VCA Sacramento Referral Center in Sacramento, California. During her internship, Dr. De La Peza realized she enjoyed all facets of veterinary medicine with surgery, emergency medicine and general practice medicine being her passions. It is the family-style relationship that is nurtured between her and her clients, while providing excellent quality care for her patients, that motivates her to do what she loves. When not working, she enjoys camping, fishing, hiking, or hanging out at home with her menagerie of animals (a horse, mini-mule, pot belly piggy, goats, sheep, chickens, peacocks, dog and her 100lb sulcata tortoise). We also celebrate her volunteer heart as is a great donation of time and knowledge to numerous animal organizations, including her role with exotic animal wellness care Moonridge Animal Park.
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Chief William R. Metcalf Advisory Counsel 
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Chief William R. Metcalf, EFO, CFO, MIFireE Chief, North County Fire Protection District (CA) President and Chairman of Board of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Chief Bill Metcalf is the Fire Chief for the North County Fire Protection District in Fallbrook, California, a suburb of San Diego, and has served in that position since 2003. He started his fire service career in 1974 with the Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Fire Department and also served with the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District in Incline Village, Nevada. Chief Metcalf has also served in a number of senior management positions in state government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations. A member of the IAFC since 1995, Chief Metcalf has previously served as the Chair of the Emergency Management Committee, Vice-Chair of the National Centers Task Force, Vice Chair of the National Fire Service Mutual Aid Response System Task Force (MASTF), member of the Homeland Security Council, and as Secretary for the EMS Section. Currently, Chief Metcalf also serves on the Board of Directors for the International Fire Service Research Center and Policy Institute as Treasurer. At home he is a Past President of the San Diego County Fire Districts Association and a past Board member of the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association. Chief Metcalf has an associate's degree in paramedic sciences, a bachelor's degree in management, and a master's degree in organizational leadership. He is also a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program and is a Chief Fire Officer designate. He learned about The Emma Zen Foundation through a personal connection and then dealt with the organization while we were supply San Diego agencies. Since then, he has become a believer in our product and our principles in which we deliver them. You can read his testimony to our organization here! He graciously donates his time, attention, advise and help when need and as such is one of our most valuable members. |
Board Members / Staff (12)
Staff does not have voting privileges.
Staff our some of our more active and more time accessible volunteers.
Or in other words the backbone of our foundation!
Staff does not have voting privileges.
Staff our some of our more active and more time accessible volunteers.
Or in other words the backbone of our foundation!
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Karen Ong
Lead Event Personnel |
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Lisa Beltz
TEAM O2 Pennsylvania TEAM 02 Arizona |
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Nicholle Hug
TEAM O2 Hawaii |
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Norma Chavez
Event Personnel |
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Megan Alexander
Lead Volunteer |
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Sally Mullaney
Volunteer |
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Maria Elena Mangum
Lead Volunteer |
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Don Miller (left)
Volunteer As seen with our Vice President (right) who also donates a lot of time! |
We are an all volunteer organization with no paid members!
Learn how you can get involved!
Our Board Members / Board of Directors consist of our voting staff. Board Members / Chairs act as our advisory counsel for pet safety, they do not have voting privileges. Our Board Members / Staff consist of our lead volunteers and also do not vote. To authenticate a lead volunteer in your area please contact our president using this link.
