Nanette Musgrove
I joined Therapy ARC in 2011 and had the pleasure of participating in various therapy dog visits with my German Shepard, Jax for 10 years. I am now registered with a friend’s dog Jenga Lou. I also enjoy giving presentations to groups enlightening the public as to what our teams do to help our community. In 2014 I joined the Therapy ARC Board of Directors and currently hold licenses as an Instructor and Evaluator. I’ve co-chaired our practicum training classes since 2017 and thoroughly enjoy working with the new teams to prepare them for their evaluations and new roles helping bring smiles to the community.
BOD Chairperson
Training Committee Co-Chair
Therapy ARC Licensed Instructor and Evaluator
John Brewer
I have been with TARC since April of 2004 and am proud to say I am an original board member!
We look forward to getting back with the Pet Team visits.
Treasurer
Robin Harkins-Mahoney
After graduating from Purdue University, I started my career at the Nashville Zoo. As the Ambassador Animal Encounters Supervisor, my responsibilities include managing Wildlife on Wheels, Nashville Zoo Stars and Backstage Pass Tours. As the Zoo’s Ambassador Animal Encounters Supervisor, I also train staff and volunteers to handle Ambassador Animals. Having been a member of Therapy ARC since 2000, I first started with Nike, my Cocker Spaniel, who excelled in the READing Paws program. With Nike now retired I started working with a Flemish Giant Rabbit by the name of Paddy O’Hara followed by Poison Ivy. Being the first rabbit to be registered this has enabled Therapy ARC to grow in the evaluation for rabbits and that has extended to include mini pigs and goats! I now have three rabbits, “The Villain Rabbits” Johnny Rotten, Luna Luvbunz and Shandy Hops.
BOD Co-ChairpersonTraining Committee Co-Chair
Training Committee Co-Chair
Therapy ARC Licensed Instructor and Evaluator
Outreach and Education Coordinator Nashville Zoo
Birgit Cornelius
Birgit and her teammate, Lily, a West Highland Terrier, joined Therapy ARC in August of 2015. Birgit was looking for a way to give back to the community while creating an activity for Lily. She and Lily have enjoyed visiting schools and colleges during exams or special events, different hospitals at Vanderbilt, and assisted living or memory care facilities. Because of her size, Lily can get comfortable on hospital beds or a patient’s lap where she shares her affection and patients enjoy the convenience of petting her.
Looking forward to being a member of the board and contributing to the continued success of Therapy ARC.
Facilities Chair
Timothy Dilks
When we were looking for our first dog eight years ago we had a very close friend from church who was undergoing cancer treatment. My wife asked her if she had any good memories of chemotherapy and she spoke so highly about the therapy dogs that would visit that we decided to try and get a dog that we could volunteer with ourselves. Thus Riley and I have been volunteering for six years at Vanderbilt in the PICU, PCICU, and ICU’s of the adult hospital (Critical Care Tower). I am also in my fourth year of being on the Ronald McDonald House Charity of Nashville Corporate Board where I am the VP of Finance.
Website Coordinator & Facility Liaison
Missy Williams
I learned about dog therapy and reading when I was working and knew it was something I would like to do when I retired. Shiloh came to me as a rescue and she really enjoys her “job”. This is our 5th year of volunteering.
Screening Coordinator
Margarita Nocera
I adopted Bruno from a CO rescue when he was four months old. From the beginning, I knew he would be a perfect therapy dog. His temperament was/is mellow and he was eager to learn and easy to train and did I mention he’s absolutely adorable! After moving to Nashville in 2020 I had the time to finally look into becoming a therapy team. I am so thankful I found Therapy ARC. We’ve been volunteering at a memory care center. Bruno loves visiting with the residents and I love being a part of these happy moments with them.
Secretary
Jessica Shavitz
As someone who has always been active in their community, and a lifelong dog lover, being on a therapy dog team with my best friend was a no brainer. While Loki is not my first dog that fits the mold of a therapy dog, timing is everything and he is the first to pursue it with me. We’ve been a team now since March 2020 and he is thriving! Being the daughter of a teacher, school visits really came naturally to me, and luckily Loki loves everyone that he comes in contact with. Seeing the joy on everyone’s face makes every second worth it. We’ve just started on this journey and can’t wait to see where it leads us!
Evaluation Coordinator
Ellen Reynolds, Ed.D.
Currently serves as the Director of Counseling Services, K-8 at Ensworth School in Nashville. For the last 34 years, she has worked in private schools in Nashville as a high school teacher, director of development, and school counselor and recently completed Mindful Schools certification. Ellen joined this organization with her late rescue dog Fluff and currently volunteers with her rescue Theo. Ellen and Theo love visiting children and value the amazing work of Therapy Arc in the middle Tennessee community.
Team Liaison
Ella Redkovitch
I started my pet therapy career at the age of 4. I had a duck I carried to visit all the residents of my aunt’s nursing home. Of course, that career didn’t last long.
In 2009, I was talking with a friend at work. He told me about him and his dog visiting folks in nursing homes. It sounded interesting, so I tried to find a group in my area which provided some structure around doing this. I had a dog I felt would be very good. That is when I found Therapy ARC. I have been an active member since 2010 visiting Alive Hospice, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and basically anywhere there were people wanting to pet a dog. I recently retired after being in the IT world for many years. I am hoping to get my fourth therapy dog registered soon so I can continue doing what I love to do more than anything. I have been blessed to meet the most wonderful people in our group as well as in all the facilities I have visited. I just hope my dogs have provided as much love and comfort to the people we have visited as those same people have given me.
Events and Welfare Coordinator
