The Maddie’s Fellowship Program was created to build a learning community that provides training and support for veterinarians to make a positive life-saving impact in their shelters and communities.
University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program is a proud recipient of funding for our fellowship program from Maddie’s Fund®, helping to achieve a no-kill nation #ThanksToMaddie.
Interested in becoming a Fellow? We generally recruit in the spring so check our website around that time for details and application for the upcoming fellowship year and follow us on facebook for updates. A requirement of the fellowship is to participate in our kickoff event called fellowship camp, which usually takes place on or around the last week of August. Interested individuals should keep this week open for travel in order to be considered for the fellowship.
Our fellowship program is a joint effort between our Shelter Medicine program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of California-Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Programs. Working together we deliver life-saving knowledge and services to our nation’s shelters and their communities while we all grow and develop our understanding of the field together. The fellowship is made possible by the generous support from various organizations who sponsor each fellow’s training and travel throughout their year as a UW/UCD Fellow.
The fellowship provides unique opportunities for practitioners to learn via clinical interaction with the University of Wisconsin and UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Programs and with a variety of animal shelters throughout the United States. In addition, selected fellows will interact with other academic and clinical programs with whom both programs regularly interact, including other university shelter medicine programs as well as national animal welfare organizations. The fellows will be able to put their new skills to work with their local shelter, directly benefitting shelter animals and communities. Many fellows continue their careers working in or with shelters for years to come, greatly magnifying the benefit of this investment in their training. If you are interested in joining our Fellowship Program in the future, please check back as we will post updates on our website with details on how to apply prior to each new Fellowship year, which starts every August.
2024-2025 Fellows
Dr. Jie Ling Arata, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Arata is a shelter veterinarian at Humane Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is beyond grateful to have the privilege to work in the field of shelter medicine! Her introduction to animal shelters began through the life-changing experience of adopting two kittens from her local animal shelter 17 years ago. After learning about animals (and people) in need and how action could be taken to help solve community challenges, she became very involved with her local city animal shelter, volunteering to learn the different avenues for helping vulnerable populations. There, she learned about the role of veterinary medicine in helping shelter animals and pursued vet school with the very specific goal to become a shelter veterinarian. In addition to her special interest in shelter medicine, she also enjoys community outreach, humane education, and increasing access to care. Recently graduated from vet school, Dr. Arata is eager to start focusing on shelter medicine specifically and is driven by the motivation to help animals and people most in need. Outside of veterinary-related duties, she enjoys caring for her cat, spending time with family, working on native habitat restoration projects, listening to uplifting music, and watching colorful sunsets.
Dr. Lisa Brinlee, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Lisa Brinlee joined the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter Medical Team in August 2022. She is originally from California and graduated the University of California, Davis in 2005. After the attacks on 9/11/2001, she decided she would join the United States Army Veterinary Corps and served from 2005-2009. After her military service, she returned to California and found emergency medicine was her calling. She also ran her own home euthanasia service, Pawsitive Passing in Northern California during the pandemic. The opportunity arose for her to join the YVAS team in Billings, Montana, in 2022 and she jumped at it. Shelter medicine has been the perfect balance for her of emergency medicine, but being able to serve the community that would not otherwise have access to veterinary care. She and her team are looking forward to expanding YVAS’s programs to increase access to quality care for people and their pets. Lisa shares her home with three young children, Valentina, Vincenzo, and Leonidas, and her husband Todd. In her free time, Lisa and her husband enjoy yoga, ballroom dancing, and anything outdoors with the kids.
Dr. Molly Chauhan, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Chauhan graduated from the University of Florida CVM in 2017 with a certificate in shelter medicine. She started her career in central Texas working as a HQHVSN surgeon and wellness veterinarian at Emancipet. She became the lead veterinarian of the organization’s Killeen branch in 2018. After spending one year moonlighting at the nearby Harker Heights municipal animal shelter, she accepted a position as the shelter’s first full-time veterinarian in 2020. Dr. Chauhan has a particular interest in the challenge of managing feline infectious disease in limited-resource environments. She also enjoys staff and intern training, low-cost pediatric medicine, low-stress handling techniques and community cat programs! As a solo veterinarian, she is always excited to meet and learn from other vets. Dr. Chauhan lives in Round Rock with a crotchety old pit bull and an only slightly less crotchety husband. She spends her down time hiking, enjoying Austin and playing the fiddle.
Dr. Hillary Feldmann-Tempini, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Feldmann-Tempini is native to New England and graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 with a focus in food animal medicine. She then completed an internship in Food Animal Ambulatory and Production Management Medicine at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Her growing passion for dairy herd management and medicine led her to the University of California, Davis, where she completed a residency in Dairy Production Medicine and a Masters in Preventive Veterinary Medicine (MPVM). Both the residency and master’s programs cultivated an interest in population medicine and epidemiology and, during this time, she became board-certified with the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (ACVPM). Following academia, Dr. Feldmann worked in private, mixed rural practice in New Mexico and Texas. In 2019, Dr. Feldmann made a career shift, entering the world of shelter medicine at the Wisconsin Humane Society. While the specific nature of her “herd” work has changed, she has felt truly at home serving the population of shelter animals in northeast Wisconsin. She aspires to improve the health and welfare of animals both in and out of the shelter as well as support the surrounding community and families. When not at work, Dr. Feldmann enjoys gardening with her husband, traveling, hiking, riding horses, watching chickens, and being on the dairy.
Dr. Alyssa Karklus, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Alyssa Karklus is a Wisconsin native and a 2020 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to vet school, she worked a variety of positions in zoos, wildlife centers, and veterinary clinics, and completed a Masters of Science degree in Biology from Western Illinois University. Her experience as a veterinary assistant compelled her to seek additional education in the field of veterinary medicine, and she completed training to become a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2016, a credential she still holds to this day. The classes she completed in her vet tech program further ignited her love of veterinary medicine, and she was thrilled to be accepted into UW Madison to pursue her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. After completing vet school, Alyssa started out working in private practice before accepting a position as a shelter veterinarian with the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Milwaukee campus and public Spay/Neuter clinic in 2021. She has since transitioned within the organization to the WHS Green Bay and Door County campuses. Working with WHS has provided excellent training in the field of shelter medicine and has sparked her interest in topics such as high-quality high-volume surgery, access to care, and infectious disease management. Alyssa is excited to learn and grow with other shelter veterinarians during Maddie’s fellowship, and to apply the knowledge gained in the program to her own shelter. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with her husband and three guinea pigs.
Dr. Cardin Kennedy, Maddie’s Fellow
Cardin Kennedy graduated from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2020 and moved to the Pacific Northwest shortly thereafter. She spent just over two years in small animal general practice while simultaneously volunteering to do surgery at the local municipal shelter. After a year of volunteering, she decided to fully transition to shelter medicine and applied for the full time position at Seattle Animal Shelter, where she has been since 2023. Cardin has a passion for community centric animal sheltering and One Health and loves how practicing at the municipal shelter helps her feel like a part of her community. Her medical interests include surgery and infectious disease management. Outside of the shelter, Cardin enjoys her free time with her pug, Cleo, and her mischievous tabby cat, Ziti.
Dr. Candace Krider, Eslinger Fellow
Dr. Krider is a dedicated veterinarian whose diverse background uniquely shapes her approach to animal care. Starting her journey as a veterinary assistant for a decade, during that time, she simultaneously earned a B.S. in Animal Science at CSU, Fresno. Her career took a fascinating turn when she served as a Law Enforcement Technician and Crime Analyst with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, during which time she completed a master’s in criminal justice. Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Dr. Krider ultimately pursued veterinary school and attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine after her tenure in law enforcement. She completed her clinical year at Iowa State University. With her experience spanning general practice, emergency medicine, the regulatory sector, and High-Quality High-Volume Spay/Neuter (HQHVSN) programs, Dr. Krider combines clinical expertise with a commitment to animal welfare and public service. Dr. Krider now serves as medical director for the City of Fresno Animal Center.
Dr. Kristina Lučić, Maddie’s Fellow
Kristina Lučić is from Croatia. She completed her DVM at the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in March 2015. After graduation, she worked at GP in Zagreb, but most of her experience comes from working in referral and ER clinic in Germany, where she had the opportunity to see many complicated cases. In January 2021, she started working at the Shelter for Abandoned Animals of the City of Zagreb, without any previous knowledge about shelter medicine. After more than 3 years working in the shelter medicine field, she’s liking it more every day, by learning new things from day to day and because of the impact they are making on animals and people in need. Her professional interests include community cat and shelter animal management, providing medical care in shelter settings, and teaching. In her free time she likes to relax with a book and a cup of tea.
Dr. Brianna Piechowski, Maddie’s Fellow
Brianna is the shelter veterinarian at Animal Allies Humane Society in Duluth, Minnesota. This is her first position as a veterinarian as she graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine of St. George’s University in 2021. Her interest in shelter medicine was sparked when she realized this field was a great combination of public health and more hands on veterinary medicine. Originally, she decided to enter the field with a primary intent on research, public health and infectious disease. During veterinary school, Brianna was awarded a Boehringer-Ingelheim research scholarship to conduct research on infectious diseases carried by the ticks of Grenada and also assisted in other research projects with similar scopes. Prior to entering into the field of veterinary medicine Brianna lived abroad in South Korea, teaching English and travelling to multiple countries throughout East Asia. Brianna graduated from Iowa State University in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Genetics from the Liberal Arts and Sciences College. Prior to that Brianna grew up in rural Minnesota where her parents were involved in organizing and managing the rescue programs for a couple breed specific dog clubs as well as helping her parents run a boarding kennel. Today, Brianna likes to hike, camp and paddleboard for fun as well as continues to travel to new and exciting destinations across the globe.
Dr. Sara Regehr, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Sara Regehr graduated from Murdoch University in 2016. She worked in general practice for a couple years until she discovered her passion for shelter medicine. She worked at the Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) where she developed an interest in improving access to care for low income families and remote communities. She loves travelling to northern Manitoba and recently started working as the WHS One Health Remote Community Outreach Veterinarian. She enjoys adventures in the mountains with her tripawd Husky, Isaac.
Dr. Sofia Reis, Maddie’s Fellow
Sofia is a veterinary doctor with a deep passion for shelter medicine, dedicated to improving the lives of animals and supporting the people who care for them. After earning a degree from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Lisbon University, she gained hands-on experience during an internship at Sintra Municipal Kennel, where work on clinical and surgical care, alongside involvement in the adoptions program, solidified a commitment to the field. With a focus on shelter medicine, animal behavior, and nutrition, she has continued to build expertise through work at small veterinary clinics and as a relief veterinarian at “O Cantinho da Milu,” one of Portugal’s largest private shelters. Currently working full-time at Alcochete Municipal Kennel, Sofia remains dedicated to continuous learning and growth in order to provide the best care possible to animals in need. Driven by an unwavering love for animals and the desire to make a positive impact, she approaches every opportunity as a chance to improve and contribute to the betterment of shelter medicine.
Dr. Hailey Watlington, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Jamie White, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Jamie White completed a DVM/PhD program at the University of California, Davis in 2020. Throughout her DVM/PhD and following graduation, Jamie has participated in outreach work for both small animal and equids through non-profit groups such as Rural Veterinary Experience and Teaching Service (RVETS), International Veterinary Outreach (IVO), Spay Montana, the ElleVet Project, and Equitarian Initiative. Following graduation, Dr. White initially worked in small animal general practice in Sutter Creek, California. In 2021, she moved to Montana and has been working in small animal emergency in Montana as well as California on a relief basis. Jamie started working at the Stafford Animal Shelter in Livingston, Montana, in 2023 and became the official shelter veterinarian in April 2024. In her free time, Jamie enjoys getting outdoors in Montana – hiking, backpacking, horseback riding in the summer, and snowboarding and cross country skiing in the winter. Her two dogs, Yona and Emmy, and her donkey Diego keep her pretty busy as well.
Fellowship Program Alums
Many fellowship alums continue their participation by remaining involved on some level in the Fellowship Program as alums. Many relationships form through fellowship, and keeping alums involved in the program allows for mentoring of new fellows along with life-long learning and collaboration between practitioners and academics.
2023-2024 Fellows
Dr. Michael Crago, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Abbie Knudsen, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Jennifer Kwan, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Allan Mergener, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Cristen Thomas, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Lindsay VanBrown, Maddie’s Fellow
2022-2023 Fellows
Dr. Jonathan Chapman, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Adrian Dannis, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Christina Hansen, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Jo Jarred, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Sasha Nelson, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Rachael Wooten, Maddie’s Fellow
2021-2022 Fellows
Dr. Taylor Biermaier, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Michelle Meckelborg, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Sam Mitchell, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Sylvia Nagy, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Jesse Navatta, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Cynthia Tao, Eslinger Fellow
Dr. Mary Thury, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Matthew Toscano, Eslinger Fellow
2020-2021 Fellows
Dr. Rachel Barton, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Eline Britz, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Kelton Ely, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Sarah Hicks, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Carissa Jones, Eslinger Fellow
Dr. Jeremy Prupas, Maddie’s Fellow
2019-2020 Fellows
Dr. Gina Bowen, Eslinger Fellow
Dr. Gabrielle Carrière, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Angelica Dimock, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Alicia Fortenberry, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Lindsay Garner, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Beth Keser, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Ashley Rice, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Jessica Thiele, Maddie’s Fellow
2018-2019 Fellows
Dr. Diana Kuehn, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Shari O’Neill, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Vincent Paradis, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Rachel Powell, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Jessica Reed, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Elizabeth Roberts, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Karen Sheppard, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Kimberly Wilson, Eslinger Fellow
2017-2018 Fellows
Dr. Allison Clarke, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Meg Gordon, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Elizabeth Roberts, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Gail Schroder, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Karen Sheppard, Maddie’s Fellow
Dr. Anthea Smith, Maddie’s Fellow
2016-2017 Fellows
Dr. Jen Dalmasso
Dr. Ann Enright
Dr. Sarah Frei, ASPCA Fellow
Dr. Melissa Resnick, ASPCA Fellow
Dr. Rachelle Saelor, Eslinger Fellow
2015-2016 Fellows
Dr. Sarah Frei, ASPCA Fellow
Dr. Libby Gutting, ASPCA Fellow
Dr. Hillary Herendeen, HSUS Fellow
Dr. Megan McAndrew, ASPCA Fellow
Dr. Emily Purvis, ASPCA Fellow