John Scalise
President
John Scalise has been working on the dog park project since its inception in 2011. John and his wife, Lynn Simons, became involved in the project as a legacy for their daughter, Hannah, who died of cancer in January of 2011. Prior to her death, Hannah asked that money not be spent on her funeral, but that the proceeds from her life insurance and savings bonds are used to create a place in Mount Pleasant where people could run with their dogs. When John and Lynn learned that a group was forming to plan and build a dog park they enthusiastically gave their support to make this a reality.
John and Lynn’s dogs include Charlie, a red golden retriever mix, Molly a Springer Spaniel, Hannah's dog, Sophie, a Jack Russell/Airedale terrier mix, and Bruce, a Doberman mix who seems to outwit them in most things.
John retired as an Outpatient Therapist at Community Mental Health for Central Michigan after 30 years of service and is now a full time parent to their four dogs.
President
John Scalise has been working on the dog park project since its inception in 2011. John and his wife, Lynn Simons, became involved in the project as a legacy for their daughter, Hannah, who died of cancer in January of 2011. Prior to her death, Hannah asked that money not be spent on her funeral, but that the proceeds from her life insurance and savings bonds are used to create a place in Mount Pleasant where people could run with their dogs. When John and Lynn learned that a group was forming to plan and build a dog park they enthusiastically gave their support to make this a reality.
John and Lynn’s dogs include Charlie, a red golden retriever mix, Molly a Springer Spaniel, Hannah's dog, Sophie, a Jack Russell/Airedale terrier mix, and Bruce, a Doberman mix who seems to outwit them in most things.
John retired as an Outpatient Therapist at Community Mental Health for Central Michigan after 30 years of service and is now a full time parent to their four dogs.
Eric Gaw, DVM
Vice President & Treasurer
Dr. Gaw has been a veterinarian in the local area for seventeen years. He is originally from Monroe, Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University in 1997. He has worked at Mt. Pleasant Animal Hospital, and is currently practicing at Pol Veterinary Services where he specializes in canine and feline medicine.
Dr. Gaw and his wife Diane (Kovacs) Gaw have been active in various aspects of purebred dog sports including conformation, obedience, and agility competition for many years, breeding and training champion Poodles focusing on health and temperament. Dr. Gaw became involved with Friends of the Dog Park in the very beginning of the process, with the goal of helping to ensure the health and well-being of its canine participants.
Vice President & Treasurer
Dr. Gaw has been a veterinarian in the local area for seventeen years. He is originally from Monroe, Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University in 1997. He has worked at Mt. Pleasant Animal Hospital, and is currently practicing at Pol Veterinary Services where he specializes in canine and feline medicine.
Dr. Gaw and his wife Diane (Kovacs) Gaw have been active in various aspects of purebred dog sports including conformation, obedience, and agility competition for many years, breeding and training champion Poodles focusing on health and temperament. Dr. Gaw became involved with Friends of the Dog Park in the very beginning of the process, with the goal of helping to ensure the health and well-being of its canine participants.
Lynn Simons
Lynn Simons is the secretary of Friends of the Dog Park. She is a mother of four children. Her child Hannah, died in 2011 at the age of 19, and Hannah wished for a place in Mt. Pleasant where dogs and people could play, such as a dog park. Lynn and her husband, John Scalise, became active with the dog park idea to follow through with Hannah's wishes and honor her memory. For Lynn and John, it is a work of love.
In her lifetime, Lynn has rescued greater than twenty dogs from shelters, and raised them for the remainder of their lives. Current dogs include: Molly a Springer Spaniel; Charlie, a ginger Golden Retriever, rescued from the Mt. Pleasant shelter; Sophie, Hannah’s dog, who is a large, 50 pound plus, terrier mix, rescued from the local shelter; and Bruce, a Doberman mix, rescued from a shelter in Pittsburgh. Lynn enjoys rescuing dogs, helping them cope with all their prior life baggage, and enjoys a safe and loving home.
Lynn is the Director of Behavioral Medicine Associates of MidMichigan, a group psychology practice, and the Director of Behavioral Sciences, at Midland Family Medicine Residency, MidMichigan Medical Center, and affiliated with Michigan State University Medical School as a faculty member.
Lynn Simons is the secretary of Friends of the Dog Park. She is a mother of four children. Her child Hannah, died in 2011 at the age of 19, and Hannah wished for a place in Mt. Pleasant where dogs and people could play, such as a dog park. Lynn and her husband, John Scalise, became active with the dog park idea to follow through with Hannah's wishes and honor her memory. For Lynn and John, it is a work of love.
In her lifetime, Lynn has rescued greater than twenty dogs from shelters, and raised them for the remainder of their lives. Current dogs include: Molly a Springer Spaniel; Charlie, a ginger Golden Retriever, rescued from the Mt. Pleasant shelter; Sophie, Hannah’s dog, who is a large, 50 pound plus, terrier mix, rescued from the local shelter; and Bruce, a Doberman mix, rescued from a shelter in Pittsburgh. Lynn enjoys rescuing dogs, helping them cope with all their prior life baggage, and enjoys a safe and loving home.
Lynn is the Director of Behavioral Medicine Associates of MidMichigan, a group psychology practice, and the Director of Behavioral Sciences, at Midland Family Medicine Residency, MidMichigan Medical Center, and affiliated with Michigan State University Medical School as a faculty member.
John Dinse
John Dinse is past president of the Friends of the Dog Park. Like many initial supporters, he got involved in 2011 with the group of citizens who heard of a possible opportunity to develop a dog park for the Mt. Pleasant community. At the time, John was a Trustee on the Charter Township of Union Board. He played a primary role in gaining the support of the Union Township for partnering with the City of Mt. Pleasant and FDP to jointly develop and fund a dog park. Along with other FDP Board members, he has continued to play an active role, both as a Union Township representative on the Dog Park Advisory
Board, and as coordinator of FDP’s participation in the MDOT Adopt-A-Highway program. John and wife Laura recently lost their beloved little American Cocker Spaniel, Shakera, who passed away due to a difficult illness. They are both looking forward to adopting another dog soon and once again enjoying the fun at Hanna’s Bark Park.
John Dinse is past president of the Friends of the Dog Park. Like many initial supporters, he got involved in 2011 with the group of citizens who heard of a possible opportunity to develop a dog park for the Mt. Pleasant community. At the time, John was a Trustee on the Charter Township of Union Board. He played a primary role in gaining the support of the Union Township for partnering with the City of Mt. Pleasant and FDP to jointly develop and fund a dog park. Along with other FDP Board members, he has continued to play an active role, both as a Union Township representative on the Dog Park Advisory
Board, and as coordinator of FDP’s participation in the MDOT Adopt-A-Highway program. John and wife Laura recently lost their beloved little American Cocker Spaniel, Shakera, who passed away due to a difficult illness. They are both looking forward to adopting another dog soon and once again enjoying the fun at Hanna’s Bark Park.
Sue Gamble
Sue Gamble has had dogs all her life. She has been a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America and the Mt. Pleasant Michigan Kennel Club since 1990. As a member of the kennel club, she has served as secretary and is currently serving as vice president and director of the training committee. She also teaches puppy and beginning obedience classes for the club. She has also participated in pet therapy with her Golden Retrievers, visiting nursing homes throughout the mid-Michigan area.
For the past two years, she has served as chair of the Mt. Pleasant Michigan Kennel Club Dog Shows that are held in June. She assists with the Canine Good Citizen test when it is given, and both of her current and former dogs have earned AKC obedience titles. She is currently a member of the Mid Michigan Golden Retriever Club and has served as a ring steward in obedience trials at their specialty shows. Sue currently has two Golden Retrievers and is a contributor to the Humane Animal Treatment Society.
Outside of her work with dogs, she is an Associate Professor of Music at Central Michigan University (CMU) and has been on the faculty since 1978. From 1983-1990, she served as chair of the Department of Music. She recently retired.
Sue Gamble has had dogs all her life. She has been a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America and the Mt. Pleasant Michigan Kennel Club since 1990. As a member of the kennel club, she has served as secretary and is currently serving as vice president and director of the training committee. She also teaches puppy and beginning obedience classes for the club. She has also participated in pet therapy with her Golden Retrievers, visiting nursing homes throughout the mid-Michigan area.
For the past two years, she has served as chair of the Mt. Pleasant Michigan Kennel Club Dog Shows that are held in June. She assists with the Canine Good Citizen test when it is given, and both of her current and former dogs have earned AKC obedience titles. She is currently a member of the Mid Michigan Golden Retriever Club and has served as a ring steward in obedience trials at their specialty shows. Sue currently has two Golden Retrievers and is a contributor to the Humane Animal Treatment Society.
Outside of her work with dogs, she is an Associate Professor of Music at Central Michigan University (CMU) and has been on the faculty since 1978. From 1983-1990, she served as chair of the Department of Music. She recently retired.
Jennifer Boyce
Long considered a cat person, Jennifer Boyce began her time as a dog AND cat person in October of 2016 when she adopted Noah, an alleged Anatolian Shepherd from Texas who turned out to be mostly Bloodhound. Noah had a membership to Hannah’s Bark Park within days of arriving in Mt. Pleasant. He has a hard time containing his excitement when he knows he’s on his way to the park.
Hannah’s Bark Park is special place for Jennifer, as Hannah was her neighbor for many years. The park is a wonderful tribute to Hannah’s spirit and love for animals. When not at the Bark Park with Noah, Jennifer can be found tending to her clowder of kitties, traveling, gardening, and trying some new craft like knitting or watercolor painting. She is part of the Academic Development unit at Central Michigan University and hopes to one day host a Bring Your Dog to Work Day there.
Long considered a cat person, Jennifer Boyce began her time as a dog AND cat person in October of 2016 when she adopted Noah, an alleged Anatolian Shepherd from Texas who turned out to be mostly Bloodhound. Noah had a membership to Hannah’s Bark Park within days of arriving in Mt. Pleasant. He has a hard time containing his excitement when he knows he’s on his way to the park.
Hannah’s Bark Park is special place for Jennifer, as Hannah was her neighbor for many years. The park is a wonderful tribute to Hannah’s spirit and love for animals. When not at the Bark Park with Noah, Jennifer can be found tending to her clowder of kitties, traveling, gardening, and trying some new craft like knitting or watercolor painting. She is part of the Academic Development unit at Central Michigan University and hopes to one day host a Bring Your Dog to Work Day there.
Margy Riemer
As a member of the Friends of the Dog Park Board, Margy has lived in Mount Pleasant for 10 years, moving from the Chicago area. Actually, she is a Cheesehead, having lived in Wisconsin most of her life. Her two children live in Wisconsin along with six grandchildren and four grand dogs.
She has taught obedience in this area for nine years, both in class-type sessions and privately. They visited dog parks practically every day when they lived in Illinois and the socializing of the dogs is better than any class could provide. Their own three dogs are registered therapy dogs who “work” practically every day, visiting hospitals, hospice clients, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. The dogs’ favorite type of work is when they visit CMU and Alma College, bringing stress relief to the students and staff.
Margy is retired as an office manager in a church almost five years ago and now can see why people say they are busier than they’ve ever been. Keeping the family busy are: Baxter, a 14 year-old reddish Golden Retriever who thinks he’s the boss and is known as “The Frat Boy” because of his very outgoing personality and confidence. Baxter’s “smile” is genuine and because of it he’s helped educate many school children in the art of tooth brushing. Boomer, another Golden Retriever, is a rescue, having been abandoned and living on his own in woods for quite some time. It is estimated that he was one when he was adopted him and gave him a July 4th birthday so now he is ten years-old and enjoys fireworks on his birthday just like Baxter. Boomer is a gentle giant and truly is very sensitive to people’s feelings and has brought strength and calmness to many. Kindle, a three year-old Labrador Retriever, is the comedienne of the herd. She seems to love to make people laugh and can easily turn someone’s bad day into a better one. She loves to carry things as a true retriever should, but now she’s taking things too far by trying to take people’s shoes while they are still wearing them!
As a member of the Friends of the Dog Park Board, Margy has lived in Mount Pleasant for 10 years, moving from the Chicago area. Actually, she is a Cheesehead, having lived in Wisconsin most of her life. Her two children live in Wisconsin along with six grandchildren and four grand dogs.
She has taught obedience in this area for nine years, both in class-type sessions and privately. They visited dog parks practically every day when they lived in Illinois and the socializing of the dogs is better than any class could provide. Their own three dogs are registered therapy dogs who “work” practically every day, visiting hospitals, hospice clients, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. The dogs’ favorite type of work is when they visit CMU and Alma College, bringing stress relief to the students and staff.
Margy is retired as an office manager in a church almost five years ago and now can see why people say they are busier than they’ve ever been. Keeping the family busy are: Baxter, a 14 year-old reddish Golden Retriever who thinks he’s the boss and is known as “The Frat Boy” because of his very outgoing personality and confidence. Baxter’s “smile” is genuine and because of it he’s helped educate many school children in the art of tooth brushing. Boomer, another Golden Retriever, is a rescue, having been abandoned and living on his own in woods for quite some time. It is estimated that he was one when he was adopted him and gave him a July 4th birthday so now he is ten years-old and enjoys fireworks on his birthday just like Baxter. Boomer is a gentle giant and truly is very sensitive to people’s feelings and has brought strength and calmness to many. Kindle, a three year-old Labrador Retriever, is the comedienne of the herd. She seems to love to make people laugh and can easily turn someone’s bad day into a better one. She loves to carry things as a true retriever should, but now she’s taking things too far by trying to take people’s shoes while they are still wearing them!
Brian Baker
Brian has lived in Mount Pleasant since 1974 when he enrolled in the Broadcast and Cinematic Arts program at CMU. In 1983, he married Ruth Vaughn and began full-time work as a broadcast engineer at WCMU-TV (Now WCMU Public Media). Today he continues to work in TV traffic and production, helping make sure viewers have lots of programs to enjoy. He and Ruth have had three dogs since the mid-1990s, including a Springer Spaniel named Maya, a Shepherd mix named Cleo, and they now enjoy the company of their Rat Terrier mix, Buckshot. Brian has worked with various civic groups over the years, including the Mount Pleasant Diversity Group and PFLAG.
Brian has lived in Mount Pleasant since 1974 when he enrolled in the Broadcast and Cinematic Arts program at CMU. In 1983, he married Ruth Vaughn and began full-time work as a broadcast engineer at WCMU-TV (Now WCMU Public Media). Today he continues to work in TV traffic and production, helping make sure viewers have lots of programs to enjoy. He and Ruth have had three dogs since the mid-1990s, including a Springer Spaniel named Maya, a Shepherd mix named Cleo, and they now enjoy the company of their Rat Terrier mix, Buckshot. Brian has worked with various civic groups over the years, including the Mount Pleasant Diversity Group and PFLAG.