Team
Director of CPAWW
Cheryl Krause-Parello, Ph.D., director, leads the program of research including the examination of canine interaction as a stress-reducing mechanism in the wounded warrior and veteran populations. She began her research in the field of animal-assisted intervention during her doctoral studies. To learn more about Krause-Parello and her research, click here.
Meet the Team
| Team Member | Position | |
| Asmar, Zoe |
Research Assistant |
|
| Baldwin, Jacquelyn "Jackie", BSN, RN |
Senior Research Assistant |
|
| Boyrer, Allison, Ed.D., MS, BSN, RN |
Community Liaison Coordinator |
|
| Browne-Banic, Lisa |
Ph.D. Intern |
|
| Hibler, David, MS |
Military Veteran Consultant |
|
| Intoppa, Macie |
Research Assistant |
|
| Kremer, Abigail, BSN |
Research Assistant |
|
| Martinez, Laurie, Ph.D. |
Associate Investigator |
|
| McBroom, Erin |
Associate Investigator |
|
| Park, Juyoung, Ph.D. |
Associate Investigator |
|
| Pratt, Beth, Ph.D., RN |
Associate Director |
|
| Quidley-Rodriguez, Narciso, Ph.D., RN |
Associate Investigator |
|
| Ruiz, Adriana |
Research Assistant |
|
| Sessa, Joy, Ph.D., RN |
Post-Doctoral Fellow |
|
| Spadola, Christine, Ph.D., LMHC |
Associate Investigator |
|
| Torres, Ayse, Ph.D. |
Associate Investigator |
|
| Villone, Lyndon, USMC |
Military Veteran Consultant |
|
| Wilson, Candy, Ph.D., APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN |
Associate Investigator |
Zoe is currently a senior at Florida Atlantic University and plans to graduate in 2024 with a major in Biological Sciences and a minor in Psychology. While she pursues her dreams of becoming a Medical Doctor, she dedicates the majority of her free time as a Horseback Riding Instructor for kids with developmental delay and veterans. Seeing how therapeutic this experience is for them helped her recognize the profound impact animals have on humans. Zoe grew up in a military family and understands that veterans may have long-term physical and psychological effects from military service. Zoe has a Golden Retriever named Hunter and most recently rescued two German Shepherds, Rocky and Rosie, who have helped her and her family through many hardships. She is excited to join the CPAWW team and study the effects of the human-animal bond on veterans' health and well-being.
Jacquelyn (Jackie) obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University with a minor in Sociology in hopes it would help her learn more about society's impact on different groups in the population. She plans to apply this knowledge to her future career in nursing to provide the best care possible to patients with all different backgrounds. Her father served in the United States Air Force and retired after 33 years. Her family recently rescued a black lab mix named Tucker. He, and other dogs her family has had in the past, has been a great source of comfort for her father and the rest of her family. Growing up in a military family, she sees how much of an impact pets can have on getting members of the military and their families through hard times. This, along with an interest in establishing more non-pharmacological measures that can help a wide variety of people, was why she was interested in becoming part of the CPAWW team. Jackie believes that there should be more resources available to help veterans and is very excited to be part of a team working toward this.
Dr. Boyrer received her Doctorate in Education – Executive Leadership for Educational Equity at the University of Colorado-Denver and was the first graduate of the Master of Science in Nursing - Veteran and Military Health program at the University of Colorado-Anschutz medical campus. Allison has also earned her Master of Arts degree in Physical Education from the University of South Florida-Tampa and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Syracuse University. Dr. Boyrer is the Nurse Manager of the Post-Baccalaureate RN Residency Program at the Rocky Mountain Regional (VISN 19) Veterans Affairs Medical Center and is currently on a detail with the Office of Academic Affiliations National Office based in Washington D.C.. Prior to this, Allison and her husband lived in Florida for 17 years, where they owned a holistic healthcare clinic on the west coast. Allison’s devotion and dedication to animals is profound, and she acts as a community ambassador for Canines Providing Assistance to Wounded Warriors (CPAWW). Allison is married with two children and loves to spend time with her family and dogs.
Retired U.S. Army Major Lisa "BB" Browne-Banic, prior adjunct professor of Public Relations at Palm Beach Atlantic University and Florida Atlantic University, is a Ph.D. student in the Adult & Community Educational Leadership (ACE) program at FAU's College of Education, and their Graduate Research Assistant for Marketing. She earned her master's degree in ACE at FAU and her bachelor's degree from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Wash. in public relations and broadcast journalism. Lisa BB recently published in the new American Veteran Organization of Women (AVOW) magazine "Learning to Improve the Military Mindset" through lifelong learning. She and her daughter are animal lovers and want to help Veterans thrive outside the military with the help of pets and animal therapy. Lisa BB encouraged the relationship between FAU's College of Nursing and FAU's College of Education to optimize the research of both colleges in improving and promoting theses types of efforts for Veterans. When not teaching or researching, Lisa BB enjoys spending time with her daughter and supporting her dreams to become a veterinarian. They share their home with three cats: Madame Jasmine (the mom) and her kittens, Pelota and Mittens. They also love to spend time with family all over the U.S.A. or pet sitting all over their neighborhood. Lisa is thrilled about this opportunity to join the CPAWW Team as a Ph.D. intern, and bring an adult & community educational perspective from FAU’s College of Education.
Macie Intoppa is currently at Florida Atlantic University working towards her BSN in the Honors
Nursing program. She is minoring in health administration and healthcare information systems. She has
past volunteer experience working with dogs and has a Jack Russell named Skittles and a Maltese
named Cash at home. She is inspired by all of the work done by the CPAWW team and is excited to
have the opportunity to study the interaction between veterans and animals and its effects on health
and well-being.
Abigail obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University in 2023 and plans on eventually returning to graduate school to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She was raised in a military family and her father is still currently serving on active duty in the United States Air Force. Her grandfather also dedicated his life to service in the Air Force and is a Vietnam War Veteran. Abigail became interested in working with the CPAWW team because of her interactions with veterans and their families throughout her years living on and around military installations. Hearing about the different hardships many veterans have faced after their military experience evoked a sense of duty to help those who have served. Abigail has a Maltese-Poodle mix named Zoe, who has helped her through the emotional hardships that accompanied moving around her entire life as a military child. Her personal history and life experience are what attracted her to become a part of the CPAWW team. Abigail is eager to begin her work with CPAWW to further learn about the effects the special human-animal bond has on Military Veterans.
Laurie Martinez is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. She earned her doctorate degree in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University, a master’s degree in Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University, a master’s degree in Nursing Health Systems Management from Johns Hopkins University, and a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from University of Saint Joseph. As a holistic nurse, Laurie advocates for viewing individuals as a whole where thoughts, behaviors, and social dimensions influence overall health. She has a particular interest in children and adolescents after her own daughter struggled with chronic physical health issues that led to chronic anxiety. Desperate to bring joy into her daughter’s daily life, and as an animal lover, Laurie rescued a Doberman. Laurie joined the CPAWW team after witnessing reduced anxiety, an increase in positive energy, and an overall soothing effect the dog had on her daughter. Although her Doberman has since crossed over the rainbow bridge, her family is never without at least one fur-family-member. Currently, they are blessed with an exuberant Cane Corso (who thinks she is a lap dog) who spreads an endless supply of excitement, cheerfulness, and positive energy.
Erin McBroom is currently at Florida Atlantic University working towards her BSN in the Honors Nursing program. She is minoring in Psychology. She has past volunteer experience working with dogs and has a dog whom she rescued after fostering. She also has an uncle and cousin in the military. She is inspired by all of the work done by the C-P.A.W.W. team and is excited to have the opportunity to study the interaction between veterans and animals and its effects on health and well-being.
Juyoung Park, Professor at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, earned a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. As an Associate Investigator at CPAWW, she works with Dr. Cheryl Krause-Parello (Director) and the CPAWW team on research and community engagement projects. While she was working as a clinical social worker, she became interested in older veterans with chronic pain who rely on pain medication, particularly those suffering from side effects associated with pain medications or polypharmacy for multiple comorbidities.
Beth Pratt is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). She earned a doctorate degree in Nursing and master’s degree in Nursing Education from FAU, a master’s degree in Forensic Science from Florida International University, a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University, a bachelor’s degree in Biology from St. Olaf College, and a second major in Spanish from St. Catherine University.
Dr. Narciso Quidley-Rodriguez joined the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing in the Fall of 2020. Dr. Quidley-Rodriguez specializes in psychiatric-mental health nursing. He earned his BSN and Ph.D. from the University of Miami. Son of a Vietnam veteran, Dr. Narciso Quidley-Rodriguez is proud of his father’s service to the country. However, at the same time, Dr. Quidley-Rodriguez learned firsthand the potential for negative health outcomes related to military service. More importantly though, he witnessed his father’s transformation from one where his father self-medicated to manage his PTSD symptoms to one where his father enjoys life to the fullest, participating in a veteran’s bowling league and the annual
Waves of Valor surfing class. This was made possible, in part, thanks to the care provided at the VA.
Adriana Ruiz is a recent graduate from Florida Atlantic University and obtained a B.A. in psychology. She is now enrolled in FAU’s Accelerated Nursing Program with hopes of becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist in the future. In her spare time, Adriana likes to spend days with her family and four legged friends. She shares the same passion and love for dogs as the rest of the CPAWW team and has a 1.5 year old Bernese mountain dog-poodle mix named Millie. Adriana describes their relationship as symbiotic; they both need each other and equally benefit from the relationship. Through this strong bond, Adriana understands the importance in giving individuals who suffer from severe distress a chance to heal through canine assistance. She is looking forward to being part of the CPAWW mission that seeks to improve veteran’s quality of life.
After graduating from Malone University with a BSN in 1999, Joy practiced nursing in a variety of acute care settings, including cardio-thoracic critical care, clinical education, and stroke program management. She obtained her MSN from Walden University in 2007 and a Ph.D. in nursing from Florida Atlantic University in 2019. Joy is passionate about improving health and wellness for community members experiencing neurological illness and/or injury. She is excited to have the opportunity to explore the human-canine bond while supporting veterans and their caregivers. Although her current circumstances do not allow for a fur baby at present, she has enjoyed the companionship of a pair of Rottweilers and an English bulldog/Labrador throughout the years. Her family of human children includes 4 boys and 2 girls ranging in age from 20 to 2 which always keeps life interesting.
Dr. Christine Spadola, assistant professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, earned a doctorate in Social Welfare and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, both from Florida International University (FIU), and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami. Christine completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She is passionate about promoting population health and well-being through feasible and accessible interventions, and has conducted several community-based sleep research projects including adapting yoga and behavioral sleep interventions for use in low income communities. As a dog lover and proud sister of an Iraqi war veteran, Christine enjoys conducting meaningful research with CPAWW Christine is also a passionate advocate of pet adoption; she and her husband are the proud parents of two rescue beagles, “Tex” and “Penelope.” When not teaching or researching, Christine enjoys spending time with her husband, dogs, and young son.
Ayse Torres, assistant professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from FAU. She has over 10 years of clinical experience working in various counseling and leadership roles in public rehabilitation and mental health counseling settings helping with individuals with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities. She is a licensed mental health counselor and certified rehabilitation counselor. She published in several top academic journals in the areas of integration of veterans with disabilities into communities, evidence-based practices in rehabilitation counselors, and employment skills of people with disabilities.
Candy Wilson is a retired military officer who joined the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) as an Associate Professor in Aug 2022. She earned her doctorate degree from the University of Colorado at Denver, a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, a master’s degree from Duke University, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Western Kentucky University. She is a women’s health nurse practitioner who spent the last 16 years of her military career conducting clinical research to help military members. She is the proud mom of her two Cockapoo dogs: Cooper and Kodiak (Kodi) Bear. Dogs have been such an important part of the continuity in her military home for her children as they moved all over the country. With nine military moves and numerous deployments, no matter where she was, there was a dog at home waiting for her. Colonel Wilson (retired) originally became aware of CPAWW while active duty and met Dr. Cheryl Krause-Parello at Joint Base Andrews when she became part of Dr. Krause-Parello’s study measuring the effect of dogs on reducing stress level of wounded service members returning from theater. Now at FAU and with the support of CPAWW, she plans to focus her research on the role companion dogs have on chronic pain in military veterans.