Our Team
We are people who trust in the transformative power of the human-canine bond, each offering our strengths to support children and families on this journey.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Laura Sylvester
Service Dog Sage
Co-founder+Executive Director
Laura co-founded Good Dog! in 2011 after experiencing firsthand the transformation a service dog brought to her autistic son. With 20+ years supporting autism families, she brings both lived experience and leadership. Laura holds a B.A. from UCLA and is an Adjunct Instructor at BUCS. She also speaks at conferences, appears on podcasts, and offers a free webinar to help families navigate the autism service dog journey with clarity and confidence.
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Why I’m Here: Because one dog changed our world—and I want that for other families too.
Has loved dogs her whole life—starting with Mouser, her childhood best friend.
Rick Sylvester
Guardian of the Way
Co-founder+Family Support Director
Rick draws on his background in corporate training, dog handling, and a Psychology degree from SDSU to guide families through their Good Dog journey. He leads all Family Support, Education, and Team Training events with warmth, insight, and steady leadership. Rick also helps families explore and choose the service dog path that’s right for them—whether it’s placement or training their own.
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Why I’m Here: I believe getting a service dog is a miraculous life-changing process—and I love guiding families through it.
For two weeks 2013, Rick lived in the student dorms at BUCS while being initiated into the way. The strong bond he formed there with his demo dog, KIng, literally brought the house down at the grad ceremony.
Gene Alexander, Ph.D.
Chief of Clarity & Calculations
Chairman of the Board & Treasurer
Dr. Alexander is the Chief Technology Officer of Body Surface Translations, Inc. and a U.S. Army veteran with a long history of innovation—holding nine U.S. patents. He previously taught at Stanford’s School of Engineering and Chapman University’s Business School. With deep expertise in startups, finance, and technology, Gene helps guide Good Dog’s strategic growth and fiscal stewardship with clarity and vision.
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Why I’m Here: Because every mission needs strong systems—and I’m here to help Good Dog grow wisely and well
Has loved dogs her whole life—starting with Mouser, her childhood best friend.
FULL SERVICE PLACEMENT TEAM
Chris Webb
Canine Colleague
Lead Trainer
Chris holds an Associate of Science degree from Bergin College of Canine Studies and has worked as a Vet Tech Assistant. She runs a private training company in Las Vegas and has trained more than 30 Good Dogs over the past 10 years. Chris brings skill and heart to every dog she meets and leads our training team with clarity and precision.
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Why I’m Here: "The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better." - Robert F. Kennedy
Chris snaps a “Leaving Las Vegas” photo of every Good Dog she trains—31 and counting!
Amanda Bryson
Handler Support Hero
Family Services Manager
Amanda is a proud Good Dog! mom to Charlie and a passionate autism service dog advocate. She holds a B.S. in Business Management from York College of Pennsylvania and additionally works at Gretna High School as the In-School Suspension Supervisor. At Good Dog, Amanda walks alongside families every step of the way—with a special heart for the post-placement journey, drawing from her own lived experience.
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Why I’m Here: Because autism service dogs change lives, and people need to know that.
Took the Public Access Test with Good Dog! Charlie on a military base with military police —daunting, but they passed with flying colors.
Ashley Carroll
Head of Cuteness and Chaos
Puppy & Finishing Trainer
Ashley started in the service dog world back in 2002 as a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind, where she raised puppies for 11 years. She holds a Bachelor’s in Criminology & Forensic Behavior and an Associate’s degree from Bergin University of Canine Studies. Ashley now channels her puppy obsession into raising and finishing dogs with skill, heart, and humor. In her spare time, she competes in conformation with her Saint Bernard Shania and in AKC sports with her other Saint, Vivian.
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Why I’m Here: Because I’ve trained more puppies than I can count—but don’t worry, I actually do count them.
Trained Good Dog’s only chocolate Lab—and she graduated!
TRAIN YOUR OWN PROGRAM TEAM
Sydney Foulk, CPDT-KA
Tailblazer of Training
Train Your Own Program Manager
Puppy Raiser Program Lead
Sydney brings over a decade of hands-on experience in service dog training, program development, and adaptive recreation. From college puppy raising clubs to leading roles at Warrior Canine Connection, PAALS, and Freedom Service Dogs, she’s trained everything from mobility and facility dogs to hearing and medical response dogs. A true problem solver and coach at heart, Sydney is now building Good Dog’s Train Your Own program—making high-quality training accessible to families and empowering 3rd party teams to succeed..
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Why I’m Here: Because I love building programs that help people and dogs unlock their potential
Can teach a dog to climb a boulder, and a human to do a downward dog
Morgan O'Brion, MS, OTR/L
Pawsitive Path Advisor
Service Dog Integration Specialist
With a background in pediatric occupational therapy and hands-on experience raising service dog puppies, Morgan is passionate about designing thoughtful, evidence-based programs that help people and dogs unlock their full potential. She strives to blend her first-hand knowledge of disability and the transformative role service dogs can play to help families and trainers ensure a seamless match between child and dog—as well as the services those dogs are trained to provide. Morgan believes that every handler-canine team deserves the chance to succeed, and she loves building systems that make that success possible.
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Why I’m Here: Because I’ve worked with the underdogs—and they’re often the ones who shine the brightest.
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The first puppy she raised mastered walking up the stairs backwards—a perfect reminder that progress doesn’t always follow a straight line!
BAXTER & Bella Team
Sit. Stay. Support Squad.
Service Dog Training Collaborators
BAXTER & Bella is a nationally recognized leader in virtual dog training, having helped over 100,000 families successfully train their own dogs at home. Their expert team of trainers brings years of hands-on experience in both pet and service dog training, with a deep understanding of how to support family-trainers through every step of the journey. Now partnering with Good Dog! Service Canines, BAXTER & Bella is proud to bring their proven, compassionate approach to the families we serve—helping them build life-changing service dog partnerships through expert instruction, accessible tools, and unwavering support.
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Why We're Here: To make service dog training more accessible, empowering families with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.
The Baxter & Bella team includes trainers who have trained and graduated 11 Good Dogs. They bring a clear understanding of what it takes to raise and finish a life-changing service dog
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Quiara Smith, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, CEIM
Board Secretary
Service Dog Integration Advocate
Dr. Quiara is a pediatric occupational therapist with advanced training in animal-assisted therapy, sensory integration, pelvic health, and infant massage. As the owner of a pediatric pelvic health OT private practice, she incorporates her facility dog, Nelly, into sessions to support emotional regulation, engagement, and therapeutic progress. Dr. Quiara also brings administrative expertise, having developed policy and programming for facility dog integration. She and Nelly are graduates of Bergin College of Canine Studies, and have been part of the Good Dog! family since 2011.
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Why I’m Here: Because when the right dog meets the right child at the right moment, healing and hope are possible.
Nelly is so good at her job, kids do their homework just to make her proud.
Victoria Cicalo
Strategic Cat-alyst
Board of Directors
Victoria is a UCLA graduate with a degree in Political Science, an entrepreneur, and a passionate animal lover. As a small business owner with a creative mindset, she brings innovative thinking, fundraising strategy, and development insight to the Good Dog! board. Her lifelong love of animals includes four dogs and more cats than most can count.
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Why I’m Here: Because great ideas, big hearts, and a little strategy can change everything.
Her favorite dog of all time? Zezo—Laura’s childhood pup. The two grew up walking dogs together, long before Good Dog! was born.
Christen Sirianni
Good Dog! Supermom
Board Member
Christen graduated from California State University, Chico with a degree in Liberal Studies. She’s a dedicated autism mom, proud parent to two boys, and a longtime believer in Good Dog’s mission. Christen brings a vital parent perspective to the board—having experienced firsthand the life-changing impact of service dogs on her own family.
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Why I’m Here: Because I’ve lived this journey—and I want other families to experience the hope and healing a service dog brings.
Christen trained her son Braeden’s original Good Dog! Hope and is now training his successor dog through Good Dog’s Train-Your-Own program.
WITH GRATITUDE
A special thank you to our trusted veterinary advisory team at The Drake Center for Veterinary Care.
Since our founding in 2011, they have stood by our side—offering expert guidance on service dog health, championing our mission, and helping us fundraise for families in need. We’re deeply grateful for their partnership and care throughout our journey.
OUR CORE VALUES
The Four Legs We Stand On
Competency – We are reliable, intelligent, successful
Authenticity – We are sincere, honest, transparent
Resiliency – We are adaptable, resolute, strong
Empathy – We are inclusive and care beyond measure