Debra Bjorling
President
Debra Bjorling established Hamilton Pet Meadow Pet Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematory in 1998 on the grounds of an old abandoned pet cemetery where there is a WWI and a WWII dog buried. In fact, a monument dedicated to police and other services animals overlooks the cemetery and has appeared on the cover of American Cemetery Magazine memorializing its distinct emblem of “For Those Who Serve”. Debra grew up in central New Jersey attending college in San Diego, California where she met her husband, Eric, who was stationed there with the US Navy. After spending several years in California, Debra and her husband moved back to the town where Debra grew up to raise her two boys, Jon-Eric and Alexander. For many years, she worked as a Practice Manager for area medical doctors. Debra has been a member of the IAOPCC and served on its Board of Directors for many years. She is also an active member of her community serving on the Board of the Pet Cremation Council as well as a member of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association. She is on the Board of Directors of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement and is a frequent speaker at veterinary conferences and veterinary technician meetings. Along with her two boys and her husband, Debra shares her home with five cats and a dog.
Angie Hansen
Vice President and Editor of News & Views
Angie has been in the pet aftercare industry for 26 years after spending 10 years as a Veterinary Surgical Technician in Idaho. She currently operates three office locations with two pet cemeteries specializing in both pet and equine cremations. She is a Certified Pet Crematory Operator and a Registered Pet Funeral Director with the IAOPCC. Voted Best Pet Crematory in Idaho in 2009 and nominated for Idaho Small Business of the Year Award 2010. Angie is on the PCC (Pet Cremation Council) Board, is a Member of CANA (Cremation Association of North America), and Member of the AAEP ( American Association of Equine Practitioners) as well as a Lifetime Member of the AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association). She is also the editor for the News and Views publication for the IAOPCC. Angie spends her free time at the barn with her Quarter Horse, “Moma’s Little Twist” or “Dusty”. She enjoys team roping and cutting whenever possible and never passes up a chance to spend time with friends and family.
Robert Blosser
Director, Region II
Robert Blosser has been the General Manager of Midwest Cremation Service of Wisconsin (MCS) for 15 years specializing pet and equine cremations. MCS was founded in 1980 by Robert’s dad, Bob Blosser. Robert’s grandmother, Patricia Blosser, founded the IAOPCC in Chicago in 1971 working in the betterment of the pet aftercare industry till her recent death. In 1991, Robert’s parents opened MCS of Wisconsin in Poynette, WI where Robert grew up and is now raising his own family. In 1995, MCS opened a second location, MCS of Minnesota in Anoka, MN. Growing up, Robert always thought he would like to be a Veterinarian, but when he saw how rewarding it was to help people who just lost their best friend…their family, he began working in the family business. Robert now runs the business along with his wife Katie and brothers, Jeremiah and Joshua. When not working Robert enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, Addysen, and two dogs, Remmie and Dakota. And, when he’s not with his family you can find him on a lake somewhere fishing!
Mr. Scott Hunter
Director of National Marketing and Promotion
Scott Hunter is the owner and president of Gateway Pet Memorial Services Inc, located in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Scott has 14 years of experience in the pet aftercare industry, in particular with the pet cremation sector. Scott manages the three pet funeral homes and cremation facilities he owns as well as owns and operates two pet cemeteries. Scott earned his Bachelor of Science/ Business degree from the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario and has obtained his realtors licence from Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. Before opening his own business, Scott spent 5 years working in both the marketing and finance fields of corporate Ford Motor Company’s Agricultural Division. Scott has also been involved in several other small business start ups, most of which he still owns. Throughout his career, Scott has been asked to speak at Universities, Colleges and other educational institutes throughout Ontario to audiences including Entrepreneurs, business students, pet after care professionals, Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Technician students. Scott makes time to be involved with community and professional organizations. He has been on the Ontario Provincial Softball Associations Board of Directors, and has sat on the board of the Guelph Minor Hockey Association. He has fulfilled the role of President of the IAOPCC for the past 3 years and is a member of the Cremation Association of North America. Scott has travelled to over 35 countries around the world and has lived in Africa, Europe, USA, and Canada. Scott now resides in Guelph with his wife Kelly, their three children, and their dog Lexus.
Donna Bethune, Executive Secretary for Home Office
Donna Bethune is part of the Shugart Family business of Deceased Pet Care Funeral Homes and Crematories located in Atlanta, Georgia. Donna grew up in the family business working in all aspects of the business serving pet owners within the metro-Atlanta area for more than 40 years. Over the past few years, she has concentrated her efforts as the company’s Advertising and Marketing Manager as well as directing its client to clinic relationships. Donna pursued her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Following college, she spent 10 years working for a large data communications company in Human Resources and Public Relations. Over the years, Donna has maintained a pro-active presence as a representative of the aftercare industry, most recently as a member of the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association Industry Council. She is also active in her church and her community serving as the President of the local high school Cheerleading Booster Club for more than six years. Donna and her husband, Todd, have three daughters, a beloved maltese named “Prada” and three cats, “Chanel”, “Gucci”, and “Paris”.
Linda Peterson, Director of Grief Therapy
Linda has been in pet aftercare for over 18 years. Her Paw Print Gardens cemetery has been family owned and operated for over 47 years offering burials and cremations of all pets including equine burial. Their business is one of the founding cemeteries of the IAOPCC. Linda is Certified through Pet Crematory Operator Program and Pet Funeral Director Program and is a Member of the Pet Care Services Association in Illinois. Linda also operates a pet boarding kennel and grooming salon. She is married to husband Michael and has one son. The Petersens enjoy the Northwood’s of Wisconsin and whenever possible fishing, boating, snowmobiling and whatever takes them outdoors. Favorite pastime is spending time with family and looking forward to her son’s upcoming activities.
Doyle Shugart, Director Region I, Chairman of Ethics and Standards Committee
Doyle has been in the pet aftercare industry for more than 40 years. He began Deceased Pet Care Funeral Homes after many years in the human funeral business as licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for H.M. Patterson & Sons Funeral Home in Atlanta. Deceased Pet Care currently operates four office locations and two pet cemeteries specializing in pet and equine cremations. They recently opened their newest pet funeral home featuring three counseling rooms, two chapels, and the largest showroom in the nation featuring more than 300 memorial products. Doyle’s received his Mortuary of Science Degree from Gupton-Jones Mortuary School and is certified through the Pet Crematory Operator Program. He has been voted Best Pet Cemetery in Atlanta Magazine, Nominated for Georgia Business of the Year Award and recipient of CBA Business of the Year Award. He is a on the Board of Directors for the Chamblee Business Association. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club and is an Industry Council Member of Georgia Veterinary Medical Association. Doyle also co-authored the development of IOAPCC Pet Crematory Operator Certification Program. Doyle and his wife, Maudann have been married for 50 years. They have three children, Keith, Donna, and Kyle, who all work in the family business, and nine grandchildren. Doyle enjoys spending time relaxing with family and fishing any lake in Georgia whenever possible.
Barbara Wells, Treasurer
Linda McCullough, Board Member
Linda McCullough is the founder and owner of Precious Pet Cemetery and Pet Memorial Gardens located in Spencer, Oklahoma. Linda has been in the funeral business for 47 years and began Precious Pets in 1985. The McCulloughs’ have two cemeteries with crematoriums at both locations. In 2008, they began equine cremation. Linda graduated from the University of Oklahoma. From there, she went onto a 40 year career as a physical therapist. Linda feels that her experience in the medical profession has helped her in the pet funeral home business, providing skills in care taking and helping pet owners cope with losing a precious companion. Linda is a Certified Crematory Operator and licensed Pet Funeral Director. Linda has won several prestigious awards including The Sheriff Award “You Make a Difference,” Excellence in Community Service presented by DAR, and has currently held the title of President for the Spencer Chamber of Commerce for the past 8 years.