Dog Writers Association of America Officers
President: Dr. Carmen Battaglia holds a Ph.D. and Masters degree from Florida State University. He is a dog breeder, author, researcher and lecturer and has worked at Emory University, Florida State University, DeKalb College and the University of Tennessee Space Institute.
Vice President and Advisor: Ida Estep, an attorney with a postdoctoral degree in tax law, also holds a master’s degree in social work. She has been active in dogs for most of her life and is involved in dog rescue, both as a foster and as legal advisor to rescue groups.
Secretary: Pat Santi, has been a DWAA member for 21 years and secretary for over 16 years. Author, columnist, lecturer, and animal behaviourist for over 40 years. Breeder, owner, handler for 45 years and AKC Breeder of Merit. I am a registered nurse by profession but animals, especially dogs, been an essential part of my life since childhood. As secretary, I enjoy working for and with the members.
Treasurer: Marsha Pugh, is a second generation dog person, and has been showing, breeding, and handling dogs since her earliest memories. Marsha writes a by-monthly pet care column for The Italian Greyhound Magazine. She also contributes to the IG Times. Until her retirement in March 2010, she was the administrator of a multi-million dollar pension fund.
Dog Writers Association of America Board of Directors
Patricia Cruz: I began "stringing" for the NY Times in 1967 and wrote a weekly column for the original Long Island Press, New York Post and Newsday. I joined DWAA in 1971 and Approved to judge by AKC in 1972. I became an AKC Field Rep in 1978. I picked up a column in 1989. I judge all breeds outside the US including India, Cuba, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and most of South America and Central America.
Alan Alford: has been an owner-handler for twenty years and currently stewards at some 100 shows a year. He published Northeast Canine Companion, geared to the purebred dog fancier. In addition to writing a regular column in Canine Companion (“today it would be a blog,” he says), Alford has written for a variety of national and international canine publications.
Caroline Coile, Ph.D.: Writes about dogs full-time, with 34 books and hundreds of articles published. Her work has appeared in print, television and online. She holds a Ph.D. with research interests in canine behavior, senses, genetics and neuropsychology. Caroline has competed in dog events since 1975. She has bred, owned and handled top-winning Salukis in conformation, lure-coursing, agility, and obedience.
Eve Adamson: is a New York Times Best selling author, Dog Fancy contributing editor, and DWAA award-winning freelance writer who has authored or co-authored over 50 books and hundreds of magazine articles. Eve also collaborates with celebrities and experts to help make their books become reality. Her most recent book is "A Place of Yes", with television personality Bethenny Frankel.
Robert H. McKowen: created the AKC Performance Events Division and served nine years as Vice President. Robert is a former Staff Correspondent for the United Press and Senior Press Services Supervisor for a fortune 500 company. He won 3 national awards for excellence in advertising and public relations as well as the Maxwell Award for Best Breed Book of the Year. He was AKC Gazette Breed columnist for the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America for many years and has written many articles for various dog magazines. He judges the Sporting Group and Best in Show.
Joel Gavriele-Gold, PhD: is President of the Metropolitan Dog Club, NYC. He is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst in private practice in New York City. Joel has published articles on the use of his dogs with his patients in the AKC Gazette, The Psychoanalytic Review and in other publications. He also writes about psychological mechanisms operating in humans in their relationships with pets. Joel has appeared on radio and television programs including: Good Morning America, Men Are From Mars, MSNBC and local TV news guest spots. He is a member of the Stewards Club of America and the American Canine Education Foundation. Joel is an instructor and supervisor to psychoanalytic students and has Skype sessions in Louisville. KY and Beijing, China. His Bouvier des Flandres, Dova accompanies him in his Manhattan therapy practice.
