President
Amanda Davis
Amanda Davis is a retired teacher and school administrator. Her post-graduate education and opportunities lend themselves to the success of the school K9U program at Bella’s Buddies. The child of a career Air Force veteran, she is passionate about helping veterans through Bella’s Buddies’ VA Hospital Facility Dog Program. Amanda is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and she holds certificates in Professional Dog Training and Animal-Assisted Interventions. She is a member of the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. She earned a BSEd from Sam Houston State University, MSEd from Abilene Christian University, and Superintendency from University of Texas Tyler. She holds certificates in Conflict Resolution, Negotiation and Mediation from ACU and Nonprofit Leadership from the Texas A&M Bush School of Public Service.
Board of Directors
Katy
Abel
Katy is a mom of five who practices Real Estate Law at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP in Dallas. She is passionate about rescuing animals, lacrosse, and volunteering with charities that help those with special needs. The Abel family has three golden retrievers and a slew of other animals in their Highland Park Zoo. Katy’s legal experience lends itself to Bella’s Buddies’ mission and goals.
Braxton Brockenbrough
Braxton is a native Houstonian and lifelong canine enthusiast. Braxton earned his Bachelors of Arts in History from Texas Christian University and a Masters of Business Administration from Tulane University. He currently resides in Houston and has worked in the commercial real estate industry for over two decades focusing on the leasing and operation of retail properties. He is excited about the opportunities that Bella’s Buddies bring to the community, schools, and veterans.
Josalyn
Davis
Josalyn is a Licensed Social Worker, earned a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from LeTournaeu University in 2022, and a Masters in Social Work from Stephen F Austin in 2024. She is trained in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She has previous non-profit experience as a middle school life skills coordinator, a foster care specialist, a student assistance specialist, and leading group sessions for stress management and various skill groups. Currently, Josalyn is an Outpatient Therapist working with children, teens, and adults with various diagnoses. Her goal is to eventually bring a Bella’s Buddies dog into her work as a therapist. Josalyn has been a supporter of Bella’s Buddies since 2019, and has since aided in handling dogs during school crisis situations, post-placement check-ins on Service Dogs, and other various training opportunities for our Dog Squad. Josalyn lives in Lancaster, PA with her husband Reese, and their rescue golden, Frank. Josalyn serves as Secretary for Bella’s Buddies.
Connie Easterling
Connie is a retired special education teacher and lover of dogs. Connie spent 40 years in the field of education, working at all levels in academics and sports. She has been volunteering with Bella’s Buddies since it was just an idea. Raised in a family with two veterinarians, she grew up around animals and can’t imagine life without her dog, Sheldon. She brings a unique perspective on special needs children and their families to our board. Connie spends time with the DogSquad, volunteering in schools and communities when there in a crisis or grief situation. She makes herself available to help with training, placement and travel arrangements.
Tyler
Kimbell
Tyler Kimbell is a Houston native and has served as an active Board Member of Bella’s Buddies since the organization’s inception. He earned his BBA in Finance from Texas A&M University and currently serves as Treasurer, where he helps guide the organization’s financial strategy and stewardship.
Professionally, Tyler is a Commercial Banker in Houston, Texas, advising international startups as they expand into the United States. He and his wife, Loren, are excitedly expecting their first child this summer. They are also proud pet parents to Maggie, a Golden Retriever who shares lineage with - and grew up alongside - many of the Bella’s Buddies therapy dogs.
Lee
Persefield
A native and life-long resident of Amarillo, Lee Persefield has devoted his entire professional life to health care services. After earning an Associate’ degree from Amarillo College, he completed a Bachelor of Science in Social Work at West Texas State (now A&M) University. In the course of his career, he has worked with health care facilities and organizations focused on rural health care, maternal care, and long-term elder care. He has worked for the State of Texas in long-term care regulatory services as a Program Manager and as Assistant Regional Director. His favorite colleague is Sully, the first facility dog provided to a state veterans home by Bella’s Buddies. Persefield has been an active volunteer and supporter of several community groups. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Southwest Music Festival, Panhandle AIDS Support Organization, and Friends in Need. He has worked actively on fundraising projects for the West Texas A&M University Foundation, and as a supporter of Planned Parenthood. He has opened his historic home for fundraising tours for St. Andrew’s Episcopal School and Court Appointed Special Advocates (for neglected or abused children in the court system.) Persefield has earned recognition as a recipient of the Northwest Texas Hospital “Second Mile Award,” being twice listed in Outstanding Young Men of America and was nominated for the state’s public service Unsung Hero Award. He is a member of the WTAMU Foundation and the President’s Circle and has been nominated several times for Amarillo’s Golden Nail Award for exemplary support of the fine and performing arts.
Jennifer
Stewart
Jennifer is the CFO of K&K Veterinary Supply. She was introduced to Bella’s Buddies when Amanda and Tommy placed Bella, for whom the organization is named after, with one of her employees. Bella’s has since retired and Buddy, also a golden retriever, now greets employees at K&K. Jenn was instrumental in Bella’s Buddies’ placement of Bee, a third golden retriever that serves a veteran who is employed by the company. Jennifer’s first love is horses but dogs run a close second. She spearheads K&K’s efforts to serve not just her community but other communities as well. She believes in hiring veterans and equipping them with the necessary tools for success. A Razorback, she lives in Springdale, Arkansas, with her husband, Joe.