Meet the Team
Leadership
Founder & Executive Director
(she/her)
The human-animal connection saves lives every day, and I’m infinitely grateful that mine has been one of them. I founded SoulPaws to make the life-saving benefits of animal-assisted interventions and clinician-led support accessible to anyone battling eating disorders and other serious mental health challenges.
Chair
Patricia Flaherty-Fischette, PhD, LCSW
(she/her)
SoulPaws is an example of translational research – translating innovative research on AAI and ED and putting it into practice. The affect regulation and attachment benefits of AAI for individuals with ED showcases the power of this intervention for this population. I am committed to procuring more research and practical experiences to support healing from ED.
Vice President
(she/her)
I am a part of SoulPaws because I have had the privilege to experience in my own life as well as witness in others the power of human-animal connection. I believe that all people should experience unconditional love and acceptance. I believe that animals give this to us without thought, and I am so grateful to be a part of an organization that can provide these opportunities for people who are struggling with an eating disorder/disordered eating and those who have not felt able to be fully expressed.
Vice President
(she/her)
I joined SoulPaws because, as a person in recovery from an eating disorder and a clinician, I believe in this program and the power of animals to help those struggling and feeling alone. I believe as humans we want and need connection and sometimes starting by feeling it from an animal can be a relief and a new beginning.
Secretary
(he/him)
SoulPaws means hope and healing to me because animals are truly a gift! My own dogs played a role in the development of self-compassion while providing me hope on the darkest days of my eating disorder.
Director
(she/her)
I am honored to support the SoulPaws mission because I am both a mental wellbeing advocate and animal lover. The understanding eyes and unconditional cuddles of an animal can speak to our core selves, and that is what SoulPaws aims to do - to remind people that at their cores they are worthy and they are loved.
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Director
(they/them)
I am a Board Member on SoulPaws because I have witnessed and experienced the healing power that animals can bring to an individual's recovery and growth from mental health struggles, trauma, and through challengings times.
Director
(she/her)
I remember reading Pound for Pound by Shannon who started all things SoulPaws. I knew I wanted to meet her and be a part of this organization instantly, as being in recovery from an eating disorder with many barriers... my dog was a main support system and coping tool. With little to no access to eating disorder treatment, I had to take nontraditional methods to recovery in order to not just survive, but truly thrive. The human-animal connection is not just impactful, it can be accessible. This mutual relationship and unconditional love deserves to be felt by all. I write this as I hold my own pup today who always shows up for my continued recovery and life.
Director
(she/her)
As soon as I learned about SoulPaws I wanted to be a part of sharing its mission. I grew up with pets and have always felt drawn to them. I believe humans and animals have a special bond and that pets provide us with many benefits. I love that SoulPaws is working to increase the research behind the benefits of animal-assisted interventions and is dedicated to ensuring these amazing resources are accessible to anyone struggling with eating disorders and any other mental health challenges.
Our Advisors
Senior Strategic Advisor
(he/him)
"Too many people struggle for too long without the support they need to heal. When I experienced the power of SoulPaws firsthand, I knew Shannon had built something truly special — a program that meets people where they are and helps them find their way back to themselves. Supporting Shannon as she works to bring SoulPaws to more people in need has been one of the most meaningful parts of my work as a consultant."
Advisor
(she/her)
I am honored to support the SoulPaws mission because I am both a mental wellbeing advocate and animal lover. The understanding eyes and unconditional cuddles of an animal can speak to our core selves, and that is of course what SoulPaws aims to do - to remind people that at their cores they are worthy and they are loved.
Advisor
(he/him)
It is gratifying to see the great work of SoulPaws. Their work exemplifies the wisdom of integrating core concepts of the neurobiology underlying regulation, resilience and healing into a practical, effective intervention approach. I know the whole Neurosequential Network community looks forward to working with the SoulPaws team.
Advisor
(she/her)
I am a part of SoulPaws because my own soul was saved by paws. I believe that sometimes the immensely soothing love an animal offers is essential in the healing process, and when it comes to eating disorders and mental health challenges, my hope is that not a single person who needs this love goes without it.
Advisor
(they/them)
I joined SoulPaws because I am passionate about the impact that animals can have on healing from eating disorders, trauma, and other serious mental illnesses.
Advisor
​(she/her)
I'm drawn to SoulPaws' innovative approach to mental health. Being part of this team allows me to contribute to community-based solutions that are truly changing lives.
Advisor
​(she/her)
I’ve always believed in the power of connection as a foundation for healing — and that includes the quiet, steady, and unconditional connection we receive from animals. In my own life, my pets have been a constant source of comfort, grounding, and love. My soul dog, Bear, my sweet Pug who passed away and showed me what unconditional love and support is all about. He was beside me in the toughest of times. My French Bulldogs, Tedi Rose and Whiskey, continue to remind me daily that connection doesn’t always come in words — sometimes, it’s a gentle nudge or simply sitting beside me when things feel hard – and of course, always the feeling of pure joy and acceptance they bring to my life.
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That’s why I feel so passionately about the work SoulPaws is doing. They recognize what so many of us have experienced firsthand — that animals can be a profound source of emotional regulation, safety, and healing, especially for those navigating the challenges of eating disorders. SoulPaws creates space for these connections to support recovery in a truly unique and compassionate way, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this mission.
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Advisor/Social Media Manager
Katelyn Von Hofwegen​( she/her)
Katelyn serves as the Social Media Manager for SoulPaws Recovery Project, where her work reflects a deep commitment to both animal welfare and mental health advocacy.
With nearly 20 years of experience in animal welfare, Katelyn has witnessed firsthand the powerful role animals play in fostering safety, connection, and emotional healing. Long before entering the mental health space, she observed how the presence of animals can regulate nervous systems, build trust, and offer comfort in moments when words alone are not enough.
SoulPaws represents a meaningful intersection of her professional journey and personal passion. As someone who is deeply invested in mental health advocacy, she is inspired by SoulPaws’ approach to healing and its mission to support individuals affected by eating disorders and trauma through relationship-based care—including the human-animal bond.
In her role, Katelyn is dedicated to sharing SoulPaws’ mission with authenticity and care, helping reduce stigma, amplify stories of hope, and create space for honest conversations around healing and recovery. For her, SoulPaws is more than an organization—it is a reflection of the belief that connection, compassion, and the presence of animals can help people feel safe enough to heal.
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