Our Team
Board of Directors
Dr. Trina Hazzah
Trina Hazzah was born and raised in Washington DC. She attended Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine where she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She completed her small animal internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey and a 3-year residency in medical oncology at the Veterinary Oncology and Hematology Center, in Connecticut. She has also completed the requirements to be a Certified Veterinary Chinese Herbalist from the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Hazzah developed an interest in cannabis medicine during her quest for finding effective integrative approaches for veterinary cancer patients. She has spent the last half a decade reading though available literature, attending multiple cannabis conferences and symposiums, while also learning from cannabis physicians. She has since given numerous lectures to veterinarians educating them on the topic of cannabis medicine. Dr. Hazzah is a founder and the co-president of Veterinary Cannabis Society and a member of the Society of Cannabis Clinician, Canadian Association of Veterinary Cannabinoid Medicine, Veterinary Cancer Society, American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and California Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Gary Richter
Dr. Gary Richter is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and is certified in acupuncture, chiropractic, and Western herbology. His book on integrative medicine, “The Ultimate Pet Health Guide” was released in 2017. In addition to full-time practice, Dr. Richter is a vocal advocate for the safe use of medical cannabis for animals including being involved with the passage of AB 2215 in California, which allows veterinarians to discuss cannabis with pet owners. Dr. Richter is also a sponsor of SB 627 in California which will further protect veterinarians and pet owners by allowing veterinary recommendation of cannabis. As a founding member and co-president of the Veterinary Cannabis Society, Dr. Richter is continuing his efforts to educate the veterinary profession, support safe cannabis products for animals, and advocate for regulatory and legislative change to protect animals and the veterinary profession.
Dr. Beth Mironchik-Frankenberg
Dr. Mironchik-Frankenberg is a veterinarian with 15 years combined experience in small animal practice and shelter medicine. She is also a passionate cannabis advocate. She first discovered the world of medical cannabis during a long battle with a career-ending injury. After achieving her own impressive results, she began investigating how to spread the word to others in need. She has since left clinical practice and immersed herself in the study of cannabis science. Since 2016, she has helped educate countless others on the healing benefits of this miraculous plant. In 2018, she founded Veterinary Cannabis Consultants and now focuses on providing educational resources for cannabis use in the veterinary world.
Charles Lozow, Esq.
Charles Lozow is a former farm kid with a love and passion for animals. He is a graduate of Cornell Law School with 30 years’ experience as litigator, transactional lawyer and executive and became involved in medical cannabinoid therapies for companion animals in 2016, following serving as a puppy raiser for Miracle III owned by Canine Companions for Independence. He has appeared before the California Veterinary Medical Board in support of AB 2215 and SB 627 and owns Stack Botanicals, LLC.
“VCS’s mission is critical now because more pet parents and veterinarians are seeking natural, efficacious and safe alternatives to big pharma, and what better plant is there than cannabis to set the standards? Consumers, the veterinary profession and producers of pet products using cannabis need VCS to lead the way.”
Renée Felice Smith
Renée Felice Smith is an actor/writer/director/ animal activist who has appeared in numerous television and Off-Broadway shows, and most notably starred on CBS’s NCIS: Los Angeles for 11 seasons where she played the quirky, quick-witted intelligence analyst Nell Jones.
Most recently, Renée wrote, directed, and produced her first award winning feature film, alongside her creative partner, Chris Gabriel, entitled THE RELATIONTRIP, which went to SXSW and is now available on HULU.
Renée graduated as an Honors Scholar at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she double majored in Drama and Journalism, minored in History. While at NYU, she studied commedia dell’arte in Florence, Italy, and also co-founded Tisch’s first student dance troupe, Pulse Dance Project.
Additionally, Renée and Chris wrote a children’s book, HUGO AND THE IMPOSSIBLE THING, published by Penguin Random House, available wherever books are sold. The tale is inspired by their tenacious first French Bulldog, Hugo, and his remarkable healing journey.
As an animal activist, Renée has partnered with North Shore Animal League America as a past Spokesperson for ‘Tour For Life’. She has lent her time to many adoption events along the tour as well as at NSALA’s largest adoption event of the year, Adoptathon. Additionally, Renée co-directed a PSA for North Shore Animal League’s Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum, an educational program that teaches students emotional and social skills through the use of shelter animals.
Renée enjoys spending her every waking moment with her three rescue pups: Mabel (English Mastiff), Alfie (Terrier/Pittie mix) and Gus (English Bulldog).
Heidi Whitman
Heidi Whitman is a dedicated advocate for animal health, wellness, and welfare, boasting over three decades of experience spanning from the USA to the UK and Europe. Currently serving as a Global Strategist Consultant in the Cannabis Industry since 2017, Heidi focuses on supporting the niche sector of cannabis use in animal health from her base in the UK.
In her role as Commercial Director/Adviser for a research-based organization Pet Pharmaceuticals UK, Heidi is deeply involved in bringing the first pharmaceutical cannabis-based medicine to market. She remains at the forefront of improving options available to pet owners for their pets’ care, providing supportive supplements and essential education to veterinary professionals.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Heidi shares her countryside home in the UK with a menagerie of beloved animals, including two horses, two dogs, and two chickens. Her personal connection to animals underscores her passion for their well-being and underscores her commitment to advancing their health through innovative approaches.
Sheena Davis
Sheena Davis, is a NYC Credentialed Veterinary Nurse, Certified Veterinary Cannabis Counselor and Veterinary Technician Specialist in Dentistry. She currently works for Abingdon Square Veterinary Clinic in the West Village. She started a Feline centered Cannabis Consulting business on December 15th, 2020 (Bigapple LVT Consulting). Her passions are Anesthesia, Pain management, Integrative medicine, Feline medicine and Dentistry. She lives with her husband and two cats Daniel & Dobby.
Dr. Sandra Bruckner
Sandra Bruckner completed her degree in veterinary medicine at the Vetsuisse Faculty in Bern in 2008. With a great passion for medicinal cannabis and animals, she has been combining these two areas of interest in her practice for cannabis and nutritional counselling in Switzerland since 2018. Sandra Bruckner is particularly concerned about the correct handling and use of medicinal cannabis in animals and the availability of reputable and high-quality products. She is strongly committed to making medicinal cannabis accessible to vets and animal owners. In recent years, she has given numerous lectures and training courses to educate people about the use of cannabis in veterinary medicine.
Dr. Elena Battaglia
Dr. Elena Battaglia finished her veterinary medicine degree at the University of Parma in 1996. She lives and practices in Savona, Italy. In 2016 she started using cannabinoids in animals, her first patient was her own 17-year-old dog. Since then she has treated more than 4000 animals with cannabinoids, ranging from cats and dogs to rabbits, chimpanzees, horses, and pigs. She has written on veterinary cannabis for various online magazines and has lectured on the subject at various international conferences and webinars. She is part of the scientific committee of Cannabiscienza, and from this organization, has earned a master in Cannabis in Veterinary Medicine and one in Medical Cannabis and Clinical Applications.
In 2023 she created a line of CBD products for animals for epilepsy, pain, and behavioural problems.
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