Dr. Ted Vlahos

D.V.M, M.S., A.B.V.P.

Yellowstone Equine Hospital

Dr. Ted Vlahos is one of the country's foremost sought after surgeons for equines. He received his Bachelor of Science (1983), Master of Science (1985), and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (1988), from the Ohio State University. Dr. Vlahos has performed surgery across the globe and is widely recognized as a leader in the development of amputation procedures and prosthetic limbs for the most severely injured horses. He is board-certified as an equine specialist by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, and served two terms as the Equine Diplomate on the ABVP Council of Regents. In addition, Dr. Vlahos has served on the American Association of Equine Practitioners Professional Conduct and Ethics Committee and was a founding member and Chair of the ABVP Ethics Committee.

Shelby Bobosky

Executive Director
Texas Humane Legislation

Shelby Bobosky, Executive Director of the Texas Humane Legislation & the Texas Humane Network, began her volunteer service with THLN in 2011 as a board member. Since 2011 and under her leadership as President, Vice President and Legislative Chair, THLN has had four successful legislative sessions wherein THLN successfully passed the Anti-Gassing Law (passed in 2013), the Mandatory Canine Encounter Training Law (passed in 2015), the Animal Cruelty Enhancement Law (passed in 2017) and the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act (passed in 2021). In 1999, Ms. Bobosky moved from Chicago to Dallas to begin her law practice. Ms. Bobosky has continued practicing general civil litigation until 2017 when she decided to do only pro bono work putting in hundreds of hours for THLN as well as assisting animal welfare advocates and rescues throughout Texas. She teaches Animal Law and Wildlife Law at the Southern Methodist University College of Law and travels the state teaching animal cruelty laws and Texas animal laws and testifies at the Capitol and local governments throughout Texas.

Sharon Hotchkiss

Owner/Attorney
Hotchkiss Law Firm, PLLC

Sharon has been an attorney for 30 years, and is licensed in Texas and California. Her firm focuses primarily on assisting non-profit
organizations with business contracts, intellectual property and general counsel services, with clients that include prestigious Dallas area museums and other cultural institutions, cheer organizations, as well as animal welfare and rescue groups.

Sharon is a volunteer Board Member of the Texas Humane Legislative Network, where she acts as Of Counsel and is also able to lobby legislators to pass animal friendly laws statewide. Sharon is also a volunteer Board Member of the Texas Humane Network whose mission is to promote the humane treatment of animals through education, training and outreach.

Shannon Swarbrick

Philanthropy Consultant
& Owner/Designer - Dallas Closet Design

Professional fundraising, marketing, and volunteer management are just a few of the skills Shannon Swarbrick has cultivated through two decades of work in the non-profit sector. Her role with the American Cancer Society served as a launching pad for numerous leadership roles in the local community. As a Founding board member of Hope Park, Shannon helped design the vision for a playground with adaptive equipment, allowing children with diverse needs to play side by side. 

More recently, she was the President of the North Texas Community Giving Foundation and volunteered with the National Charity League alongside her daughter. She integrates her philosophy of serving into her role as owner of Dallas Closet Design. While building relationships with clients, you’ll often find her serving next to them in the Frisco community.