Our Board.

Ms. Stevens has more than 20 years of dog-training experience, an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for helping others; Lori Stevens became the founder and Executive Director of Patriot PAWS. Since 2006 when the organization was founded, Stevens has provided numerous disabled veterans with dogs trained to fit and assist their needs. She has also partnered with the TDCJ to train prison inmates to train these service dogs. Before Patriot PAWS, Stevens was the owner of Country K9 Academy. She is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy and has also had experience working at THSD, PETCO, and Lone Star Assistance Dogs. Along with being a certified pet dog trainer, her attendance and participation in numerous workshops truly shows how dedicated Stevens is to these animals and the people receiving help from them.

As the owner of Country Friends Veterinary Clinic in Royse City, Texas since 1996, Dr. Rhonda has cared for the dogs of Patriot Paws since the organization’s beginning. She is a perfect fit for this board. She has known Lori for over 20 years and continues to care for the assistance dogs as they progress through the program. Dr Phillips graduated from Oklahoma State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Along with Patriot PAWS, she has served over 12 years with the Royse City Independent School Board, serves on the Royse City ISD Education Foundation Board, and the City of Royse City Animal Shelter/Control Board. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Royse City and volunteers with the youth ministries. Dr. Phillips is also a member of the American Animal Hospital Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. She is married to Pete and has 3 children, Ryon, Colby and Maggie.

David Margulies has been at the forefront of some of the major issues facing business, government agencies and non-profits since founding The Margulies Communications Group in 1986. He was the spokesperson and managed worldwide media relations when Oprah Winfrey was sued by Texas cattle interests. He has also managed media relations for a number of other high-profile cases, including litigation by Anna Nicole Smith against his clients, the heirs to the estate of the late J. Howard Marshall II.David and his team of professionals at The Margulies Communications Group also help clients build their businesses with positive media stories, innovative marketing programs, community involvement and cause marketing.