Our Pack

  • Graham Bloem

    Founder, President & Training Director

    Graham Bloem was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and has had an affinity with animals all his life, although his true passion is for dogs. At age five, he immigrated to Toronto, Canada with his family, but enjoyed frequent trips back to South Africa. His experiences in wildlife settings instilled a dream of one day […]

  • Kyrié Bloem

    Co-Founder & Vice President

    Kyrié is the Co-Founder and Director or Operations of Specialty Dog Training and Shelter to Soldier™. Working behind the scenes, Kyrié is constantly in motion working in all facets of our organization. She is someone that wears many hats well and is a real asset to each organization. Though she has been an avid animal […]

  • Krystyna Holc

    Co-Founder - Treasurer - Board Member

    Krystyna Holc is the Vice President and CFO of Goodsell and Company CPA firm. She is the financial manager for Specialty Dog Training, Shelter to Soldier™, and Pet Mall America. Krys has a 70-pound male German Shepherd named Cooper that she rescued from Coastal German Shepherd Rescue. Krys is a long time supporter of the […]

  • Nicky Moore

    Director of Training and Operations

    Director of Operations & Dog Training Nicky is our Director of Training and Operations, and a graduate of Animal Behavior College’s Professional Dog Training Certification program. Originally from Cincinnati, OH, Nicky has a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Management. After years of training her own dogs, pet-sitting, and working with animals at a veterinary […]

  • Veteran Advocate

    Dustin Potash

    Veteran Advocate & Case Manager

    Dustin joins the Shelter to Soldier team with a deep passion to serve and support fellow veterans, help homeless dogs and to make a positive impact on our community. Dustin has helped lead a national nonprofit and is a United States Army Veteran with over 10 years of experience managing programs for diverse groups. He has […]

  • Rachel “Charley” Charlesworth

    Dog Trainer

    Charley is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where she was Military Police and a Military Working Dog Handler.  As a Military Working Dog handler and trainer, Charley specialized in narcotic and explosive detection, advanced obedience, and protection. While in the military, she also worked with special forces training units and government agencies.  […]

  • Justin Forrester

    Dog Trainer

    Justin is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he served 9 years working as an EOD closely with secret service and DOD dog handlers as well as a part of the infantry. He found his passion for working dogs through his 3 Belgian Malinois’ Kilo, Floki, and Jess. When he’s not training […]

  • Lynne Ramsey

    Dog Trainer

    Lynne acquired a love of animals at a young age, spending many hours posing with dogs and cats while helping her mother, a professional pet photographer who illustrated dog care and training books. Lynne has volunteered with Shelter to Soldier™ since we began in 2012. She has always enjoyed having an active part in the […]

  • Lisa Johnson

    Dog Trainer

    Lisa is a pure joy to be around, and a favorite among our service dogs in training for her love and cuddles. Lisa Johnson has volunteered with Shelter to Soldier™ since we began in 2012. Though her very busy career is in Computer Science, Lisa undertook the major commitment of completing her certification as a […]

  • Dr Liz Grey

    Board Member

    Dr Grey was born in New York, but her family moved to San Diego when she was 12.  While she was growing up, her family did a lot of rescue work with animals.  Her father impressed upon her at an early age that once you commit to an animal, you are responsible for providing it […]

  • David Moss, LCSW

    Mental Health Liaison - Board Member

    I am honored to have been asked to serve on the Board of Directors for Shelter to Soldier™.  I have followed this organization from its inception and could not be more proud to help support your mission.  I am excited to bring my clinical expertise, experience, community contacts, leadership, and overall passion for enhancing the […]

  • Michael Ford

    Michael Ford

    Board Member

    Michael is a San Diego native passionate about supporting the communities in which we live and work. He has worked with Cox Communications for 1418 years now and is a member of their Public Affairs team, specifically focused on Community Relations and corporate giving. He currently oversees the programs and support for the Cox Charities […]

  • Brian Lukacz

    Board Member

    Brian is originally from the east coast but moved to San Diego when he was stationed at Camp Pendleton. Brian flew helicopters in the Marine Corps for 13 years and completed two combat tours in Iraq in ’04-’05. Seeing the ravages of PTSD on his fellow veterans first hand has made him determined to help […]

  • Eva Stimson

    PR Director

    Eva M. Stimson is a very welcomed addition to our pack! Eva is the Public Relations Director for Shelter to Soldier™ and Specialty Dog Training. Eva specializes in strategic partnerships and helps share the mission of each of our corporate sponsors with local and national media outlets. Eva Stimson is an award-winning marketing communications specialist […]