MEET
THE TEAM
DOGSLIFE STAFF
Amy Taylor
Executive Director
Amy was born and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where she graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2002. Upon moving to Dallas in 2004, Amy began her career in non-profit focused on organizations that provide financial education and empowerment for women and children in underserved communities. Amy has over twenty years of experience in non-profit program management, volunteer recruitment, fundraising and event planning. Amy joined Dogslife as Executive Director in 2023.
My dogs are not just pets but are beloved members of my family. I would never want to be in a position where I could not provide life saving treatment for my dog due to financial circumstances. A cancer diagnosis is always difficult, I feel grateful to be in a position to help other families remove the financial consideration from what is already a stressful and heart wrenching situation.
DOGSLIFE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Matt Stone
Founder and Board Chair
Matt grew up in East Texas before graduating with a master's degree in accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2008 and a master's in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. Matt began his career in Dallas, TX with Deloitte LLP as a licensed CPA. After several years at Deloitte Dallas, Matt did a two year rotation at Deloitte London, before moving back to the US and becoming the VP of Finance at Amentum.
Having experienced first hand the emotions that come with finding out your dog has cancer, this is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart. I am proud of the impact that Dogslife is having on dogs and their families as we continue execute our mission.
DOGSLIFE STAFF
Zack Wright, DVM DACVIM
Board Member
Dr. Zack Wright grew up in Dallas, TX before graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2000. He then moved back to Texas where he graduated from veterinary school at Texas A&M in 2004. Upon graduating, Zack completed a three year residency in small animal medical oncology from Texas A&M and became board certified in 2008. He has been practicing in Dallas since 2012. He is currently the Medical Director at VCA Animal Diagnostic Clinic and serves as the chair of the national VCA Pet CancerCare Alliance.
Zack is a founding Board member and industry advisor for Dogslife.
I see dogs with cancer every day. While many clients have the means to pursue therapy, many do not even have the financial flexibility to see me and learn about their pets condition. Clients cannot make the best decision for their dogs if they are not educated on the process and what the disease means to their dog. Dogslife allows people from North Texas (my home region) to get the best cancer care they can for their dog.
David Hargis
Board Member & Treasurer
David grew up in Plano, TX and went to school at The University of Texas at Austin where he graduated with his master’s degree in 2011. Upon returning to the Dallas area, he begin working for Deloitte LLP, where he is currently a senior manager in Deloitte’s Mergers & Acquisitions practice and is a licensed CPA.
David is a founding Board member of Dogslife and also serves as the organization's Treasurer.
My family has had multiple dogs pass away due to old age after living very long and full lives. I can’t imagine being put in a position where I had to choose the value of my pet’s life if they were to have been diagnosed with cancer. To the extent that I can help alleviate that financial burden for another dog owner, then I am eager to help.
Kyle Winger
Board Member
Kyle is a lifelong Texan born and raised in East Texas. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University and Master's degree from the University of Texas - Arlington. Kyle has worked in the apparel industry for over 20 years and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer with CID Resources, Inc., a medical uniform manufacturer. Kyle and his wife Julie are proud pet parents of two rescue dogs, Sydney and Sadie.
I've been around dogs my entire life and my fondest memories are of growing up around pets at my grandparents and in my immediate family. We have always felt that our pets are treasured members of our family. I am inspired to see the work that Dogslife is doing to help dogs and their families.
Sandy Scoggins
Board Member
Sandy grew up in Sallisaw, Oklahoma before graduating from the University of Arkansas where she received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in 1998. In 2001, she moved to Houston, Texas where she began providing therapy services to individuals with disabilities. Sandy founded Scoggins Therapies, Inc. in 2004 where she currently serves as President. Scoggins Therapies, Inc. currently employs over 500 therapists and services individuals with disabilities across the State of Texas.
Sandy joined the Board of Dogslife shortly after the organization's launch in October 2018.
Having experienced a cancer diagnosis with my dog, Patch, I understand the challenges that lie ahead with financial decisions. The human-animal bond that I had with Patch was extraordinary. I was able to provide him with the best veterinary care, and that was invaluable to me as his caregiver. I am honored to be a part of this mission in helping families offer treatment to their “Patch.”
Erin Tate, DVM
Board Member
Dr. Erin Tate received her Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of North Texas in 1994 before going on to graduate from Texas A&M University with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1999. Dr. Tate has been in small animal and exotics private practice in Dallas, TX since 1999. In 2004, she joined CityVet as a practitioner and partner; first focusing on growing the practice at CityVet Uptown and then engaging in the opportunity to open CityVet Preston Forest in 2011 and CityVet Preston Hollow in 2018. In addition to practicing and business management, she participates in the University of North Texas Advancement board and now is a proud member of the Dogslife board!
When she isn’t busy with her patients, Dr. Tate enjoys hiking and outdoor activities, traveling, Dave Matthews Band concerts, photography, and being silly with her son and husband. She has two dogs – Zinfandel and Shafer; four cats – Cranberry, Bart, Cloudy and Cloudy; two sulcata tortoises – Jake and Eddie; and 3 hermit crabs.
Dr. Tate enjoys educating clients in the care and well-being of their pets and mentoring young veterinarians in their careers. She also has an interest in dermatology, wellness preventative care, and complicated medicine cases. She is enthusiastic about building lasting relationships with people and their pets and offering amazing experiences for her clients.
I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was nine years old! I am so lucky to have a career that I love where I get to help people with their most beloved family members. Helping to build the bond between a human and their furry family member is the greatest feeling. There is no greater feeling than seeing a pet from its infancy to the senior years. I am honored to help others get help when their pet is in need.
Hannah Orth
Board Member
Hannah is a licensed CPA who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Business and a Master's degree in Accounting from Rhodes College. After graduation, Hannah moved back to Dallas and began working for Deloitte LLP, where she served in both Deloitte’s Audit and Mergers & Acquisitions practices before becoming a project manager for a Dallas boutique consulting firm. Most recently, Hannah became the Director of Finance at The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum.
Hannah was a part of Dogslife before its official launch and continues to be an essential part of the team today. Hannah has been critical to the organization's ability to execute its mission, volunteering her time and effort to ensure the success of the organization by serving in a variety of roles within the organization, including her most Board of Directors in 2022.
I am honored to be a part of an organization that gives families the opportunity to eliminate the financial burden when deciding the best treatment for their dog.
A SINCERE THANK YOU TO THESE AMAZING INDIVIDUALS
Nicole Vasquez
Nicole was integral to the formation of Dogslife and was an original member of the team, serving as Media Director for the organization's first year, among many other roles. In late 2019, Nicole transferred to Deloitte San Francisco and began UC-Berkeley's part-time MBA program. Nicole continues to support Dogslife's mission in whatever capacity she is able!
I am so thankful to have been a part of this organization from its beginning and am honored to witness the amazing impact Dogslife is having.
Nathaniel Zastrow
Nathaniel was a founding board member of Dogslife and was vital in not only the launch of the organization but its growth and success as well. We cannot begin to express our gratitude for Nathaniel's two years of dedication to Dogslife and his continued support of the organization.
Having been raised in a dog family, I am fortunate that I have never experienced a cancer diagnosis of a four-legged loved one. I cannot imagine the toll that would take on my family or anyone’s for that matter, and I want to support those facing these situations in any way possible.