Meet the 2025 ElderPet Board

Michael Cicchese (Chairperson) - Mike joined ElderPet in 2011 when he passed his Pet Partners Team Evaluation with his rescue Greyhound BoomBoom•.They frequently visited Wentworth Douglass Hospital in Dover, in addition to the Dimond Library on the UNH campus during finals week, and some assisted living facilities. After volunteering at several Pet Partner Team Evaluations hosted by ElderPet, Mike became a licensed Team Evaluator in 2014. He joined the ElderPet Board of Directors in 2013, and served as Secretary until 2020 when he was elected board Chairperson. In 2024 Pet Partners asked him to join its National Program Educators to help instruct new Team Evaluators. Mike’s work background includes a combined 18 years as a newspaper journalist, web content managing editor and communications manager. For more than 15 years Mike has worked as a civilian employee for the City of Dover Police Department.

Marsha Barden (Vice Chairperson)- Marsha is a former trainer of Standardbred horses and a retired wildlife biologist for USDA, Wildlife Services. She currently runs a small boarding stable for retired horses. She became a Pet Partners Handler in 2008 with three English setters, Rosa• and Mister Grover• and Louis VI• She and her dogs did R.E.A.D. visits at the libraries in Stratham and Madbury and visited Exeter Hospital Oncology, and The Pines Assisted Living Facility in Newmarket. In 2014 Marsha became a licensed Pet Partner Team Evaluator and joined the ElderPet board. She was elected Vice Chairperson in 2020 and serves as our membership coordinator.

Jerilee Zezula, D.V.M. (Treasurer) - Jeri is a retired professor of Applied Animal Science at the Thompson School at UNH. She has been a Pet Partners Handler since 1997 first with Abby•, a German shepherd dog and later with Lily•, a mixed breed. Jeri is a Licensed Pet Partners Instructor, ElderPet Service Coordinator, and has taught an on-line Animal Assisted Therapy course through UNH Professional Development and Training. She is among those who started ElderPet. She serves as coordinator for ElderPet’s Community Outreach programs.

Doris Irwin - Doris is retired from the University of New Hampshire. She has been a Pet Partners Handler since 2001 with her English Cockers, Sebastian• and Tango• and Fletcher (now retired). They have visited at nursing homes, classes and library events at UNH and Wentworth Douglass Hospital. They were also active in the "Read With Me" program at the Durham Public Library.  Doris has served on the board for 20 years, is a past board Chairperson and volunteers at Pet Partner Evaluations.

Sue Walsh - Sue is a dog obedience instructor and former board member with Piscataqua Obedience Club in Kittery, ME. She and her cocker spaniels Livy and Autumn are dedicated Pet Partners teams primarily involved with the "Read With Me" program in the Acton, ME schools. She joined the ElderPet board in 2017. Sue’s background as a trainer and her knowledge of dog behavior and horses are very valuable assets to our board.

Joanne Fatur (Secretary) - Joanne has been a Pet Partners handler with her little Shih Tsu Lexie (now retired).  She and Lexie visited Parkland Hospital's Lahey Oncology and Behavior Health Unit and did "Read With Me" at Grinnell Elementary School from 2018-2021. Joanne joined the board in 2020. She comes to the board with many business related skills and talents, and has spearheaded ElderPet’s campaign in the annual NH GIVES fundraiser. She became board secretary in 2025.

Jennie Dapice, O.T. Jennie is a board certified pediatric occupational therapist who has worked in adult and pediatric acute care settings, skilled nursing facilities, and schools. Currently an assistant professor of OT at the University of New England and the University of Southern Maine, she has practiced and researched Animal-Assisted Intervention/Services for more than 20 years. Jennie was a Pet Partners volunteer handler prior to working with Canine Companions facility and therapy dogs. Jennie joined the ElderPet board in 2022.

Donna Beaudoin - Donna is a former data analyst and project manager. She is currently the administrator at a small local museum, and has volunteered at the local humane society in various capacities for more than 35 years.  Several years ago Donna became a Pet Partners Handler for a couple of years with her dog Doss•. She was able to carve out time to go back to ElderPet in 2023 to volunteer to deliver pet food to those in need in the community, which she continues to do today.  In 2025 Donna joined the ElderPet board.