Staff
Amanda Davis
Amanda Davis is a former 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 Cold War Air Force veteran, she is passionate about helping veterans and their families who struggle with post-traumatic stress and reintegration following service to our country. She believes that bridging generations using Animal Assisted Interventions is life-changing for students and veterans. She sought some of the best dog trainers in the US as she built the foundation for Bella’s Buddies; and combined with her experiences in education and conflict resolution, Amanda brings a unique perspective in both training and placing dogs in schools and facilities that serve our veterans. Amanda is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, 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, an MSEd from Abilene Christian University, and her superintendency from UT Tyler. She holds certificates in Conflict Resolution, Negotiation and Mediation from ACU and in Nonprofit Leadership from the Texas A&M Bush School of Public Service. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and is Certified as an Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist.
Tommy Davis
Tommy Davis graduated from Tarleton State University in 1994 with a degree in Ag Economics. He worked with his family, managing a feed and fertilizer business in Leon County, Texas for 27 years. In January 2022, he retired from his career in agriculture to raise and train the DogSquad as well as to oversee plant operations, canine health and wellness, and social media. He served as president of the Centerville Chamber of Commerce and Leon County Farm Bureau for several years, and was Ambassador for the Leon County Go Texan Committee. He served on the boards of several non-profit organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl. During the school year, Tommy spent much of his time promoting student athletes on radio station KMVL 100.5. He was the first honoree to receive the Leon County Real Men Against Domestic Violence award and he dedicated time as the Leon County Emergency Management Volunteer Coordinator. Tommy plays an active role in the organization, working everyday to make us better.
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.
Vicki Chase
Vicki is a retired elementary teacher. She fostered K9U DogSquad puppies in training, taking her fosters to school each day. Learning the benefits of having a dog in her classroom not only helped the pups to get ready for their future assignments, she also came to appreciate how the students benefitted from the services the dogs provided. Vicki continues to volunteer and foster for Bella’s Buddies. She visits schools and is instrumental in helping new teacher handlers with new canine placements. She understands the great needs for therapy and service dogs and wants to continue helping to pay it forward.
Connie Easterling
Connie is a special education teacher and lover of dogs. 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.
Tyler Kimbell
Tyler is a Houston native and has been an active Board Member with Bella's Buddies since its inception. Tyler earned his BBA in Finance from Texas A&M University and currently serves as the Treasurer for our organization. Professionally, Tyler Kimbell is a Commercial Banker in Houston, Texas. His role is to provide banking services and strategic advice to VC-backed startups and growth stage companies expanding into the United States from innovation centers around the world.
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. For the past six-and-a-half years he has served as the Veteran Land Board’s On-site Representative at the Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home. His favorite colleague is Sully, the first facility dog provided to a state veteran’shome 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 vet 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. 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 live in Springdale, Arkansas, with her husband, Joe, and their youngest son.