Celebrating National Guide Dog Month and Natural Balance’s Top Human-Canine Teams Who Make Us Believe!
Christine Benninger, CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind and David Cooper and Parnelli, one of Natural Balance’s Top Human-Canine Teams Who Make Us Believe honorees join Marcie and Lovey. They talk about guide dogs and the incredible work these dogs achieve every day to make their human partners who are blind or who have limited vision more independent and active! Christine shares behind the scenes information about how Guide Dogs for the Blind begins the guide dog selection process at the DNA level while David eloquently articulates the special bond that he shares with his guide dog, Parnelli. David talks honestly about how Parnelli enables him to live a full and extensive life as a Finance Professional in New York City!
BIO:
Christine (Chris) joined Guide Dogs for the Blind in April of 2014. Chris brings a wealth of non-profit and for-profit experience to her role. Prior to joining GDB, she spent 17 years leading the Humane Society Silicon Valley. During her tenure there, she and her team’s progressive approach helped save the lives of tens of thousands of animals and greatly reduce pet overpopulation problems in Santa Clara County. Under her leadership, the organization was also able to raise $25.5 million to build The Animal Community Center -- the first facility of its kind in the country.
Chris honed her business skills as an auditor with Arthur Andersen & Co. as well as in her 15 years with Hewlett Packard Corporation. At HP, Chris held managerial positions in the U.S. as well as in Europe. She holds an M.B.A. from Stanford University.
Chris gives back to the community through her role on several non-profit boards. She serves on Page Mill YMCA as Board Chair and Pan African Sanctuary Alliance as Board Vice Chair. She is also on the board of Merit Partners.
Chris loves to ride her bike and hike. Chris has three dogs: Hank, a Basset Hound, Bess, a three-legged Cattle Dog mix, and Petey, a Chihuahua.