Happier dogs help make the world a happier place.
At Dogs Trust USA, we draw on a long history of dog expertise. We’re the affiliate organization of Dogs Trust, the UK’s leading dog welfare charity which was founded over 127 years ago, and we work alongside Dogs Trust Worldwide.
Although we draw much of our expertise and experience from Dogs Trust in the UK, Dogs Trust USA is a separate non-profit entity, which aims to help as many dogs as possible in the United States though our grants program, to find loving homes, and to live happy and healthy lives, while also working closely with dog welfare organizations around the world to help dogs who are being exploited or suffering harm, and to transform the way people think about dogs around the world.
We are a registered 501(c)(3), and as such any gifts are tax deductible in accordance with IRS rules and regulations. Our EIN number is: 82-2390086.
Please contact Meredith Beck, Vice President of Development for more information on Dogs Trust USA.
Sian Hornigold - Dogs Trust USA Dog School Project Manager, New York
Sian joined Dogs Trust eight years ago in one of the charity’s UK rehoming centers where she worked as part of the behavior team, rehabilitating dogs who needed bespoke training support to prepare them for life in their forever homes. This included holistic care for both dogs and their owners, with Sian’s focus on post adoption support to owners, helping them to better understand their newly-adopted dog and ensure they had the right tools to continue training moving froward. It was here that Sian developed a passion for educating dog owners on welfare benefits and reward-based-training. Four years ago, Sian become Head Coach for Dog School, managing a team of dog trainers to provide classes in the London area supporting around 500 dogs every year. Sian is an excellent advocate and teacher of reward-based-training, and thoroughly enjoys focusing on the education that Dogs Trust provides, not just for the benefit of dogs in the class, but also for every owner that attends Dog School. Sian’s dedication to support and teach dog owners ensures that they can help their dog to be happy, well-behaved and well socialized. Since launching Dogs Trust USA Dog School, Sian has supported 33 dogs in the New York area through virtual classes and is now preparing to launch in-person classes.
Maria Murray – Advisor to Dogs Trust USA
As Deputy Director of Community Education and Engagement in the UK, Maria is responsible for leading Dogs Trust’s community teams to deliver Dog School training classes, education programs and local campaigns on a range of dog welfare issues. Maria guides and oversees the implementation of bespoke interventions to educate and support dog owners, and improve dog welfare in local communities. Beginning her career at Dogs Trust as Rehoming Centre Manager at one of the Charity’s newest UK centers, Maria and her team rehomed 1,000 dogs in their first year. It was here that she developed a keen interest in preventing the main reason for relinquishment, behavior. Six years ago, Maria helped to launch Dog School, bespoke training classes for dogs and their owners, working to prevent problem behaviors before they start in the hope of reducing the number of dogs given up because of their behavior. Dog School now has 27 teams nationwide, supporting 25,000 dog owners every year.
Meredith Beck – Dogs Trust USA Vice President, Development
Meredith Beck is Vice President of Development at Dogs Trust USA. Having joined the organization in 2020, Meredith is responsible for the cultivation of the non-profit’s fundraising, philanthropic and corporate activity. Prior to working for Dogs Trust USA, Meredith was Vice President of Development at HeartShare Human Services of New York, and before that led the Development Department at Birch Family Services. As the owner of two dogs—Cocoa (5) and Brady (1)— Meredith is passionate about Dogs Trust USA’s mission to improve the welfare of dogs across America.
Owen Sharp - Dogs Trust USA Director & President
Owen Sharp was appointed as the new President of Dogs Trust USA in July 2019. Prior to Dogs Trust, Owen was the Global CEO and Executive Director of the Movember Foundation based in Culver City, California. Before Movember, the largest funder of men’s health services and research which works closely with the Prostate Cancer Foundation in the USA, Owen was CEO at Prostate Cancer UK and Interim and Deputy CEO at Victim Support. He rebranded the Prostate Cancer Charity as Prostate Cancer UK, led a merger with Prostate Action, and launched the high-profile Men United campaign. Owen began his career in nursing in Glasgow, Scotland, going on to work in leadership roles in hospitals across the UK and was recently awarded an honorary doctorate by Glasgow Caledonian University. Animals have always been a big part of Owen’s life; he is a huge dog lover and lives in the UK with 8-year-old Labradoodle, Dixie and 2-year-old Dogs Trust rescue Lexi.
Helen Walker - Dogs Trust USA Director & Executive Vice President
Helen led the set-up of Dogs Trust USA Inc. as a 501 c 3 nonprofit in the US between 2015-17. She is responsible for Dogs Trust USA’s operations, governance and compliance on behalf of the President and Board of Directors. Helen has worked for Dogs Trust, our affiliate organization in the UK, for eight years and established their Development department in 2014. She now directs a Senior Team in the UK to grow annual income from trusts & foundations, corporate partnerships, philanthropy & special events. Helen is also a Non-Executive Director and a member of the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee at National Energy Action, a non-profit aiming to tackle energy poverty. Helen is proud owner of Darcy, a ten -year-old rescue Cockapoodle.
Veronica Carbone - Director
Veronica has been a trustee of Dogs Trust since 2008. She has been a tireless campaigner for the organization and is often found surrounded by her four-legged friends.
Dr Susan Monger - Director
After 10 years of private practice, Dr Susan moved on to follow her true passion of providing veterinary care and strengthening the human-animal bond in economically challenged areas of the world. She is now based in Austin, Texas and is Director of International Veterinary Consultants.
Jonathon Jackson
Jonathon Jackson is a partner in the New York office of Milbank and a member of the firm's Global Capital Markets Group, with extensive experience advising both corporate and financial institutions on a broad range of transactions. Jonathon is the proud owner of Otis, a 4 year old rescue English Bulldog and has supported Dogs Trust USA with pro-bono legal advice since its inception.