Meet Our Team!
Isabelle Gullö, Cofounder and Executive Director
Isabelle cofounded C.A.R.E.4Paws in 2009. She was a longtime shelter volunteer who recognized the desperate need for programs that reduce pet overpopulation and intervene before animals suffer and/or end up homeless. Isabelle, a Swedish native and journalist by trade, is proud of the rapid progress C.A.R.E.4Paws has made and feels grateful to work in a field she’s so passionate about. She also loves running, beachtime, lake life and salsa dancing, and treasures time with her many rescue pets and son, Julian, who’s a dedicated animal advocate and C.A.R.E.4Paws volunteer.
Carlos Abitia, Cofounder and Community Medicine & Spay/Neuter Outreach Manager
Since 2009, Carlos has helped build C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Community Outreach and Spay/Neuter Programs from the ground up. A bilingual, trained veterinarian from Mexico, Carlos has many years of experience working with families in underserved communities with the goal to create awareness around compassionate pet care and connect pet owners to the resources they need. He heads our mobile clinic operations and Pet Wellness Clinics.
Patrick Antone, Deputy Director
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Patrick discovered his passion for animals early on. At the age of 12, he became a volunteer at the Santa Barbara Zoo and knew then that he wanted to pursue a career working with animals. Patrick graduated from the University of California at Davis, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and began work as an animal care professional. Working with a variety of exotic animals throughout his career, he specialized in elephant husbandry, management, and training. Patrick has performed many roles within animal management, including welfare, behavior, and operations. Primed for a career move, still in the capacity of helping animals, he joined the C.A.R.E.4Paws team as the Deputy Director in September 2023. Patrick oversees the operations of the mobile veterinary clinics, pet food assistance programs, community programs, event planning and coordination, even driving the custom-wrapped transit van. Give him a wave if you see him on the road! When Patrick is not on the clock, he enjoys exploring wine country, traveling, and cooking meals for friends and family with his husband.
Esme Medina, Clinic Services Coordinator
Esme has worked in the animal wellness industry since 2007 and with Santa Barbara County Animal Services since 2010. With her bilingual and organizational skills and compassionate personality, she has helped make a big impact within Santa Barbara County’s Hispanic community, especially, by providing critical information and sharing resources that help clients provide the best possible care for their pets. Esme will continue to build great relationships in our community in her part-time position for C.A.R.E.4Paws. She looks forward to helping and growing with our organization.
Tom Thompson, DVM, Mobile Clinic Veterinarian
Dr. Tom Thompson, or “Dr. T.” is a graduate of UC Davis Veterinary College. Two years after he graduated, Dr. Thompson took over Alamar Animal Hospital in Santa Barbara and later opened Adobe Animal Hospital, which he owned until 2005. Since then, Dr. Thompson has worked at several different vet clinics, including Your Pals, while also performing high-volume spays/neuters for shelters and the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society. He became C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Mobile Clinic veterinarian in 2016 and has assisted thousands of clients since with spays/neuters and medical treatment.
Riley Moore, Mobile Clinic Surgical Assistant
Riley is a Surgical Assistant at C.A.R.E.4Paws, where he has been a part of the team since 2022. His journey in animal welfare began with his work at a pet hospital. It continued at a local humane society, where he gained valuable experience in caring for a variety of animals. He is a proud owner of three canine companions, and in his leisure time, Riley enjoys the thrill of skateboarding and the joy of playing with his beloved dogs. He is driven by a genuine desire to improve the lives of animals, and he is dedicated to providing them with the best possible care.
Alyson Baker, Data Entry Clerk
Alyson joined the C.A.R.E.4Paws team in early 2023 as a data entry clerk. She is passionate about animal welfare and is thrilled to be a part of such an amazing organization. She has three dogs, loves gardening and playing with her furry friends in her free time.
Alyson looks forward to contributing to the organization’s mission of providing quality care for animals in need.
Isabelle Gullö, Cofounder and Executive Director
Isabelle cofounded C.A.R.E.4Paws in 2009. She was a longtime shelter volunteer who recognized the desperate need for programs that reduce pet overpopulation and intervene before animals suffer and/or end up homeless. Isabelle, a Swedish native and journalist by trade, is proud of the rapid progress C.A.R.E.4Paws has made and feels grateful to work in a field she’s so passionate about. She also loves running, beachtime, lake life and salsa dancing, and treasures time with her many rescue pets and son, Julian, who’s a dedicated animal advocate and C.A.R.E.4Paws volunteer.
Patrick Antone, Deputy Director
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Patrick discovered his passion for animals early on. At the age of 12, he became a volunteer at the Santa Barbara Zoo and knew then that he wanted to pursue a career working with animals. Patrick graduated from the University of California at Davis, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and began work as an animal care professional. Working with a variety of exotic animals throughout his career, he specialized in elephant husbandry, management, and training. Patrick has performed many roles within animal management, including welfare, behavior, and operations. Primed for a career move, still in the capacity of helping animals, he joined the C.A.R.E.4Paws team as the Deputy Director in September 2023. Patrick oversees the operations of the mobile veterinary clinics, pet food assistance programs, community programs, event planning and coordination, even driving the custom-wrapped transit van. Give him a wave if you see him on the road! When Patrick is not on the clock, he enjoys exploring wine country, traveling, and cooking meals for friends and family with his husband.
Riley Moore, Mobile Clinic Surgical Assistant
Riley is a Surgical Assistant at C.A.R.E.4Paws, where he has been a part of the team since 2022. His journey in animal welfare began with his work at a pet hospital. It continued at a local humane society, where he gained valuable experience in caring for a variety of animals. He is a proud owner of three canine companions, and in his leisure time, Riley enjoys the thrill of skateboarding and the joy of playing with his beloved dogs. He is driven by a genuine desire to improve the lives of animals, and he is dedicated to providing them with the best possible care.
Carlos Abitia, Cofounder and Community Medicine & Spay/Neuter Outreach Manager
Since 2009, Carlos has helped build C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Community Outreach and Spay/Neuter Programs from the ground up. A bilingual, trained veterinarian from Mexico, Carlos has many years of experience working with families in underserved communities with the goal to create awareness around compassionate pet care and connect pet owners to the resources they need. He heads our mobile clinic operations and Pet Wellness Clinics.
Esme Medina, Clinic Services Coordinator
Esme has worked in the animal wellness industry since 2007 and with Santa Barbara County Animal Services since 2010. With her bilingual and organizational skills and compassionate personality, she has helped make a big impact within Santa Barbara County’s Hispanic community, especially, by providing critical information and sharing resources that help clients provide the best possible care for their pets. Esme will continue to build great relationships in our community in her part-time position for C.A.R.E.4Paws. She looks forward to helping and growing with our organization.
Tom Thompson, DVM, Mobile Clinic Veterinarian
Dr. Tom Thompson, or “Dr. T.” is a graduate of UC Davis Veterinary College. Two years after he graduated, Dr. Thompson took over Alamar Animal Hospital in Santa Barbara and later opened Adobe Animal Hospital, which he owned until 2005. Since then, Dr. Thompson has worked at several different vet clinics, including Your Pals, while also performing high-volume spays/neuters for shelters and the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society. He became C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Mobile Clinic veterinarian in 2016 and has assisted thousands of clients since with spays/neuters and medical treatment.
Alyson Baker, Data Entry Clerk
Alyson joined the C.A.R.E.4Paws team in early 2023 as a data entry clerk. She is passionate about animal welfare and is thrilled to be a part of such an amazing organization. She has three dogs, loves gardening and playing with her furry friends in her free time.
Alyson looks forward to contributing to the organization’s mission of providing quality care for animals in need.
Board Of Directors
Christopher Harris, President
Chris joined the board of directors in 2014 as treasurer and has served as board president since 2017. He is an audit and advisory partner with Hutchinson & Bloodgood LLP, who moved to Santa Barbara in 2012 after spending more than 12 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP in Los Angeles. He received his Bachelor of the Arts in Economics and Accounting from Claremont McKenna College. He is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Chris has a passion for serving the nonprofit industry both in a professional and personal capacity. In addition to his role with C.A.R.E.4Paws, he serves as board president at Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara, treasurer for the Santa Barbara Symphony, and vice president for the Santa Barbara Running Association.
Chris is a passionate cyclist usually found on the beach at sunset with his pup, Lulu.
Kathryn Courain, Treasurer
A partner at Avalan Wealth Management, Kathryn has more than two decades of experience assisting high-net-worth clients with their total wealth management needs, including perpetual trust planning, private foundation and charitable planning, commercial financing and tax planning. Kathryn grew up in Santa Barbara County and was an avid equestrian for more than 30 years. She has a passion for supporting animal welfare charities, especially C.A.R.E.4Paws with its focus on providing proactive, progressive and educational solutions to the problems facing pets and their owners.
Thomas Fisher, Secretary
Thomas Fisher, CFA, CFP SVP, Senior Portfolio Manager at Montecito Bank & Trust, has deep roots in the banking industry and a passion for exceptional service. Santa Barbara-raised, with multiple degrees and credentials within the finance industry, Tom is a highly distinguished portfolio manager with a focused and knowledgeable approach to providing his clients with objective investment advice and unparalleled results. Tom has 30+ years of investment management experience, including overseeing assets for individuals, families, private foundations and other charitable organizations. Tom also has a big heart for animal welfare, a passion that brought him to C.A.R.E.4Paws. Tom also volunteers with the Financial Planning Association (FPA), providing pro-bono financial planning to wounded military veterans and their families.
Day Yeager, Director
Day has lived in Santa Barbara and now Solvang for a combined 44 years, is a UCSB alumnus, and since retiring in 2008 as a financial analyst for satellite programs, she began doing what really matters to her: fostering, adoption assistance, and fundraising for local homeless and medical needs animals and animal welfare groups. She became a Buddhist in 1981 and hopes to bring the Buddhist values of deep respect and active compassion to her behind-the-scenes efforts to help animals. Her husband, Andrew, and their entire four-footed family are in on the effort, too, and have welcomed many “visitors” over the years, some of whom have never left. Joining the Board of C.A.R.E.4Paws was a natural next step in the drive to keep animals in their homes and out of shelters.
Cindy Whelan, Director
Cindy Whelan grew up in Fairfax Virginia, outside of Washington DC, and moved to Santa Barbara in 2003 to marry her husband, Nick. Cindy has worked in the telecommunications industry for many years in a variety of sales and marketing roles. She grew up with cats, but discovered the joy of dogs when she met Lucky, Nick’s golden retriever. Cindy joined a golden retriever rescue in 2014, where she found Rusty, who became a beloved family member. Through rescue, her eyes were opened to the plight of dogs that were surrendered or abandoned and she become committed to helping animals in need. Cindy has volunteered with Santa Barbara Animal Services since 2019, and joined the C.A.R.E.4Paws team in early 2020.
Cam Gittler, Director
Cam Gittler is a local realtor with Gittler Group, and has been a realtor and property developer for 20 years. She moved to Santa Barbara with her husband and two young daughters to attend UCSB, and later Pepperdine University, where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology respectively. She worked for years at Transition House serving Santa Barbara’s homeless population. She is a member of the Junior League of Santa Barbara where as past president she now serves on their Past President Council. She and her husband care for their two very busy dogs.
Kyle Kennedy, Director
Kyle, a native of Marin County, California, became a Director in 2023. He is the Chief Operating Officer at Mission Canyon Holdings in Santa Barbara and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University in New York. Following his degree, he received a commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy in 2001, where he earned his wings as a Naval Flight Officer and Mission Commander on the EP-3, conducting reconnaissance and surveillance missions globally. Kyle then served as a project engineer at Naval Air Systems Command and later pursued a path as a defense contractor. After serving eight years in the Navy, Kyle, having resigned his commission as a Lieutenant, ventured into entrepreneurship, founding companies across aviation, aerospace and defense, logistics, real estate, and medical device manufacturing industries. As a testament to his commitment to community, he is a founding board member of the nonprofit Mosaic Therapy Collective in Santa Barbara.
Residing in Montecito with his husband, Michael, and three dogs, Kyle actively engages in philanthropy. His involvement includes volunteering with esteemed animal welfare nonprofit organizations such as The National Search Dog Foundation, Pilots N Paws, and Angel Flight West.
Don Connor, Director
Don Conner joined the C.A.R.E.4Paws board in late 2023. He is a seasoned executive and business advisor with expertise in strategic planning, business development, financial analysis, and corporate valuation. Having conducted a variety of consulting engagements in more than 15 unique industries over the past 20 years, Don holds a distinct perspective concerning how organizations can most effectively achieve superior operating performance and financial results. Don holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Southern California. When not focused on work, Don enjoys supporting animal welfare causes and groups as well as spending time with his own three beagles, George, Sally and Shiloh.
Dr. Alex Gomes, Director
Dr. Alex Gomes was born and raised on the Central Coast of California. After graduating high school, he joined the United States Army, where he served two tours in Iraq and was honorably discharged. He then spent several years working in wildlife rehabilitation in the Pacific Northwest while earning his bachelor’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology. Next, he attended veterinary school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. After graduating, Dr. Gomes moved back to the central coast to be closer to his family.
Dr. Gomes spends his time working as a general practitioner in Templeton, CA. He is also the regional representative for the Street Dog Coalition, a group providing no-cost preventative care and medical treatments to pets of the unhoused. His passion for providing veterinary services to underserved communities led him to cross paths with C.A.R.E.4Paws. For years, Dr. Gomes has aided as a traveling relief surgeon for our wellness and spay-a-thon events. More recently, he helped create collaboration between C.A.R.E.4Paws and the Street Dog Coalition to widen the availability of medical assistance for pets of the unhoused. His belief in C.A.R.E.4Paws’ values and mission statement inexorably drew him to join the organization’s board of directors.
Laura Sanders, Director
Christopher Harris, President
Chris joined the board of directors in 2014 as treasurer and has served as board president since 2017. He is an audit and advisory partner with Hutchinson & Bloodgood LLP, who moved to Santa Barbara in 2012 after spending more than 12 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP in Los Angeles. He received his Bachelor of the Arts in Economics and Accounting from Claremont McKenna College. He is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Chris has a passion for serving the nonprofit industry both in a professional and personal capacity. In addition to his role with C.A.R.E.4Paws, he serves as board president at Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara, treasurer for the Santa Barbara Symphony, and vice president for the Santa Barbara Running Association.
Chris is a passionate cyclist usually found on the beach at sunset with his pup, Lulu.
Day Yeager, Director
Day has lived in Santa Barbara and now Solvang for a combined 44 years, is a UCSB alumnus, and since retiring in 2008 as a financial analyst for satellite programs, she began doing what really matters to her: fostering, adoption assistance, and fundraising for local homeless and medical needs animals and animal welfare groups. She became a Buddhist in 1981 and hopes to bring the Buddhist values of deep respect and active compassion to her behind-the-scenes efforts to help animals. Her husband, Andrew, and their entire four-footed family are in on the effort, too, and have welcomed many “visitors” over the years, some of whom have never left. Joining the Board of C.A.R.E.4Paws was a natural next step in the drive to keep animals in their homes and out of shelters.
Cam Gittler, Director
Cam Gittler is a local realtor with Gittler Group, and has been a realtor and property developer for 20 years. She moved to Santa Barbara with her husband and two young daughters to attend UCSB, and later Pepperdine University, where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology respectively. She worked for years at Transition House serving Santa Barbara’s homeless population. She is a member of the Junior League of Santa Barbara where as past president she now serves on their Past President Council. She and her husband care for their two very busy dogs.
Don Connor, Director
Don Conner joined the C.A.R.E.4Paws board in late 2023. He is a seasoned executive and business advisor with expertise in strategic planning, business development, financial analysis, and corporate valuation. Having conducted a variety of consulting engagements in more than 15 unique industries over the past 20 years, Don holds a distinct perspective concerning how organizations can most effectively achieve superior operating performance and financial results. Don holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Southern California. When not focused on work, Don enjoys supporting animal welfare causes and groups as well as spending time with his own three beagles, George, Sally and Shiloh.
Dr. Alex Gomes, Director
Dr. Alex Gomes was born and raised on the Central Coast of California. After graduating high school, he joined the United States Army, where he served two tours in Iraq and was honorably discharged. He then spent several years working in wildlife rehabilitation in the Pacific Northwest while earning his bachelor’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology. Next, he attended veterinary school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. After graduating, Dr. Gomes moved back to the central coast to be closer to his family.
Dr. Gomes spends his time working as a general practitioner in Templeton, CA. He is also the regional representative for the Street Dog Coalition, a group providing no-cost preventative care and medical treatments to pets of the unhoused. His passion for providing veterinary services to underserved communities led him to cross paths with C.A.R.E.4Paws. For years, Dr. Gomes has aided as a traveling relief surgeon for our wellness and spay-a-thon events. More recently, he helped create collaboration between C.A.R.E.4Paws and the Street Dog Coalition to widen the availability of medical assistance for pets of the unhoused. His belief in C.A.R.E.4Paws’ values and mission statement inexorably drew him to join the organization’s board of directors.
Kathryn Courain, Treasurer
A partner at Avalan Wealth Management, Kathryn has more than two decades of experience assisting high-net-worth clients with their total wealth management needs, including perpetual trust planning, private foundation and charitable planning, commercial financing and tax planning. Kathryn grew up in Santa Barbara County and was an avid equestrian for more than 30 years. She has a passion for supporting animal welfare charities, especially C.A.R.E.4Paws with its focus on providing proactive, progressive and educational solutions to the problems facing pets and their owners.
Thomas Fisher, Secretary
Thomas Fisher, CFA, CFP SVP, Senior Portfolio Manager at Montecito Bank & Trust, has deep roots in the banking industry and a passion for exceptional service. Santa Barbara-raised, with multiple degrees and credentials within the finance industry, Tom is a highly distinguished portfolio manager with a focused and knowledgeable approach to providing his clients with objective investment advice and unparalleled results. Tom has 30+ years of investment management experience, including overseeing assets for individuals, families, private foundations and other charitable organizations. Tom also has a big heart for animal welfare, a passion that brought him to C.A.R.E.4Paws. Tom also volunteers with the Financial Planning Association (FPA), providing pro-bono financial planning to wounded military veterans and their families.
Cindy Whelan, Director
Cindy Whelan grew up in Fairfax Virginia, outside of Washington DC, and moved to Santa Barbara in 2003 to marry her husband, Nick. Cindy has worked in the telecommunications industry for many years in a variety of sales and marketing roles. She grew up with cats, but discovered the joy of dogs when she met Lucky, Nick’s golden retriever. Cindy joined a golden retriever rescue in 2014, where she found Rusty, who became a beloved family member. Through rescue, her eyes were opened to the plight of dogs that were surrendered or abandoned and she become committed to helping animals in need. Cindy has volunteered with Santa Barbara Animal Services since 2019, and joined the C.A.R.E.4Paws team in early 2020.
Kyle Kennedy, Director
Kyle, a native of Marin County, California, became a Director in 2023. He is the Chief Operating Officer at Mission Canyon Holdings in Santa Barbara and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University in New York. Following his degree, he received a commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy in 2001, where he earned his wings as a Naval Flight Officer and Mission Commander on the EP-3, conducting reconnaissance and surveillance missions globally. Kyle then served as a project engineer at Naval Air Systems Command and later pursued a path as a defense contractor. After serving eight years in the Navy, Kyle, having resigned his commission as a Lieutenant, ventured into entrepreneurship, founding companies across aviation, aerospace and defense, logistics, real estate, and medical device manufacturing industries. As a testament to his commitment to community, he is a founding board member of the nonprofit Mosaic Therapy Collective in Santa Barbara.
Residing in Montecito with his husband, Michael, and three dogs, Kyle actively engages in philanthropy. His involvement includes volunteering with esteemed animal welfare nonprofit organizations such as The National Search Dog Foundation, Pilots N Paws, and Angel Flight West.