Staff
Amanda Davis
Amanda Davis is a former teacher and school administrator whose background includes work with special needs including behavioral, emotional and physical disabilities. Amanda’s post-graduate education and opportunities have lent 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 Therapy is life-changing for students and veterans alike. She sought some of the best dog trainers in the U.S. as she built the foundation for Bella’s Buddies. These opportunities, combined with her experiences in education, have given Amanda 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 Alliance of Therapy Dogs 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 Medication from ACU and in Nonprofit Leadership from the Texas A&M Bush School of Public Service.
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 left 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 is a past president of the Centerville Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador for Leon County Go Texan Committee, and has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl. He has been president of Leon County Farm Bureau for twelve years. During the school year, Tommy spends 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 serves as the Leon County Emergency Management Volunteer Coordinator. Tommy plays an active role in the organization, working everyday to make us better.
Andrew Huffman
Andrew Huffman is an Air Force Security Forces veteran. Raised in Minnesota, Andrew enlisted after high school where he served in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. After being wounded in combat, Andrew was granted an honorable discharge and he attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where he earned his Bachelors in Sociology. The injuries sustained during his time serving led to his need for a mobility and PTSD service dog. He was paired with Wilson, his golden retriever, who was born at Bella’s Buddies in 2017. Andrew’s partnership with Wilson led him to learn more about using dogs to help disabled veterans. Andrew is the Director of Training and Programs for Bella’s Buddies, where he works closely with teachers, students, veterans and their dogs.
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.
Leah Bell
Leah is an awesome algebra teacher who sees the value in utilizing Animal Assisted Therapy in public school settings to reduce conflict and teach empathy. She is a key to our K9U program, providing the tools to make the dog/handler teams successful. Leah lives in Centerville, Texas with her husband Brad and their three children.
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.
Gracie Davis
Gracie grew up around the DogSquad and has been an integral part of the planning process for Bella’s Buddies. Texas Aggie Class of ‘21, Gracie was Operations Officer for the Corps of Cadets where she was assigned to Air Force Detachment 805. Gracie served as an intern for Congressman Pete Sessions and is the Interfaith and Public Diplomacy Programs Coordinator for the charitable Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation. She is an analyst for Red Five Security and Investigations in Arlington, VA. and is a Masters candidate at American University’s School of International Service. Gracie directs media relations and our partnership with the Bush School at Texas A&M.
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 from the Sugarland area. He played lacrosse for Texas A&M where he earned his BBA in Finance from the Mays Business School in 2017. Tyler is a financial analyst for JP Morgan Chase in Houston, and he is devoted to his golden retriever, Ellie. He believes in a strong work-ethic and selfless service to others. Tyler and Ellie are working towards receiving the proper certifications to proudly wear the Bella's Buddies badge as they provide therapy assistance in their local community and continue the mission of enriching lives alongside our canine companions. Tyler has been fundamental in laying the financial foundation for our organization.
Dr. Judd Langley, DDS
Judd is an Air Force veteran who practices prosthodontics in Madisonville, Texas. He is an avid hunter, a Texas Aggie, and a graduate of the Baylor College of Dentistry. During his Air Force career, Judd was instrumental in helping injured soldiers and airmen reinvent themselves following serious facial injuries. Judd believes that canines are a great tool in helping veterans and active duty military with physical and mental health issues.
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.