Napa CART brings together volunteers with a broad range of relevant skills in support of animals involved in disasters, emergencies, or accidents in Napa County, California. These include veterinary, operations, incident management, volunteer coordination and financial experience.
Claudia Sonder, DVM
President and Board Member
Claudia Sonder, DVM is a 1995 graduate of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She served as the Director of the Center for Equine Health at UC Davis from 2012-2016, and worked to improve Disaster Preparedness for horse owners and veterinarians during her tenure, in collaboration with IAWTI and BARTA. Dr. Sonder is an owner at Napa Valley Equine and has practiced in the Napa Valley since 1997. She sits on several boards serving equine welfare, and has responded to multiple large scale disasters.
President and Board Member
Claudia Sonder, DVM is a 1995 graduate of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She served as the Director of the Center for Equine Health at UC Davis from 2012-2016, and worked to improve Disaster Preparedness for horse owners and veterinarians during her tenure, in collaboration with IAWTI and BARTA. Dr. Sonder is an owner at Napa Valley Equine and has practiced in the Napa Valley since 1997. She sits on several boards serving equine welfare, and has responded to multiple large scale disasters.
Saanen Kerson
Vice President, Secretary and Board Member
Saanen was born and raised on a farm, where her family raised dairy goats, saddle horses, donkeys, a mule, chickens, cows, pigs, llamas, sheep, and farmed with draft horses. Her family founded and has directed Vine Village since its inception in 1972 and she is currently Associate Director, Certified Administrator, and Client Care Manager of Vine Village, Inc. She attended local schools and graduated with honors from the University of California, Berkeley, where she was a member of the Cal softball team.
Vice President, Secretary and Board Member
Saanen was born and raised on a farm, where her family raised dairy goats, saddle horses, donkeys, a mule, chickens, cows, pigs, llamas, sheep, and farmed with draft horses. Her family founded and has directed Vine Village since its inception in 1972 and she is currently Associate Director, Certified Administrator, and Client Care Manager of Vine Village, Inc. She attended local schools and graduated with honors from the University of California, Berkeley, where she was a member of the Cal softball team.
Sheila Edginton
Treasurer and Board Member
Large Animal Shelter Coordinator
Sheila Edgington is the Treasurer and Board Member of Napa CART. She is a Senior Underwriting Analyst with The Doctors Company and has been Treasurer and Board Member for Napa Valley Horsemen’s for the past 7 years. She has a passion for helping animals and was excited to volunteer with a group of like minded people. Sheila was born and raised in Napa and resides with her husband, 2 children, 4 horses, 2 mini goats, and 30 animals on a small farm in the Coombsville area.
Treasurer and Board Member
Large Animal Shelter Coordinator
Sheila Edgington is the Treasurer and Board Member of Napa CART. She is a Senior Underwriting Analyst with The Doctors Company and has been Treasurer and Board Member for Napa Valley Horsemen’s for the past 7 years. She has a passion for helping animals and was excited to volunteer with a group of like minded people. Sheila was born and raised in Napa and resides with her husband, 2 children, 4 horses, 2 mini goats, and 30 animals on a small farm in the Coombsville area.
Mike Kerson
Field Operations Co-Leader
Advisory Board Member
Mike, along with his wife, Nancy, and their daughter, Saanen, has been involved with Napa CART from the beginning. He accompanied Dr. Claudia Sonder to Lake County during the devastating Valley Fire in 2015 and was very active in Napa CART’s efforts during the Wine Country Complex Fires of 2017.
In 1976, Mike purchased a team of Belgian draft horses and used them on the Kerson ranch and in parades. A Belgian/quarter horse cross foal was born at their ranch and lived there to the age of 33. In 2000, Mike adopted Ruby, a mustang filly from the BLM Wild Horse and Burro program. Mike trained Ruby and rides her and a fine mammoth donkey named Spike. Both Mike and Nancy became active BLM wild horse program volunteers, gentling and training many mustangs for adoptions. They have 5 mustangs, a mule, 2 donkeys, a dog, three cats, and a flock of chickens. Mike, as “Video Mike Productions,” has made horse, mule, and donkey training videos for 6 equine trainers, and numerous documentaries featuring equines. He has been the Executive Director of Vine Village in Napa, a non-profit residential and day activity ranch for people with developmental disabilities for 46 years.
Field Operations Co-Leader
Advisory Board Member
Mike, along with his wife, Nancy, and their daughter, Saanen, has been involved with Napa CART from the beginning. He accompanied Dr. Claudia Sonder to Lake County during the devastating Valley Fire in 2015 and was very active in Napa CART’s efforts during the Wine Country Complex Fires of 2017.
In 1976, Mike purchased a team of Belgian draft horses and used them on the Kerson ranch and in parades. A Belgian/quarter horse cross foal was born at their ranch and lived there to the age of 33. In 2000, Mike adopted Ruby, a mustang filly from the BLM Wild Horse and Burro program. Mike trained Ruby and rides her and a fine mammoth donkey named Spike. Both Mike and Nancy became active BLM wild horse program volunteers, gentling and training many mustangs for adoptions. They have 5 mustangs, a mule, 2 donkeys, a dog, three cats, and a flock of chickens. Mike, as “Video Mike Productions,” has made horse, mule, and donkey training videos for 6 equine trainers, and numerous documentaries featuring equines. He has been the Executive Director of Vine Village in Napa, a non-profit residential and day activity ranch for people with developmental disabilities for 46 years.
Nancy Kerson
ASAR (Animal Search And Rescue) Co-Lead
Napa CART Advisory Board Member
From early childhood, animals of all kinds have played a big role in Nancy’s life. As a child, when people asked her what she wanted to do when she grew up, the answer was simple: live in the country surrounded by animals! (It was only much later that she realized this question was actually about making money…) After graduating from the University of New Mexico in 1970, Nancy taught school on a remote island in Alaska before marrying Michael Kerson and coming back to the “lower 48.” In 1972, the two, along with Mike’s parents and another man, founded Vine Village, Inc. a 501c3 program for people with developmental disabilities, which they continuously directed until retiring in 2023. Nancy adopted her first Mustang, Sparky, in 2001. Nancy and Mike both have gentled and halter-trained several wild horses for the BLM adoption program, and their own personal herd now numbers 5 mustangs, a mustang mule, a BLM burro, and a mammoth saddle donkey. They also have a dog, 3 cats, and a flock of chickens. Nancy has been active in Napa CART from the beginning and was active in Napa CART’s response efforts during the 2017 and 2020 wildfires, as well as mutual aid for the 2018 Camp Fire and 2019 Kincade Fire. Currently, she serves as ASAR Co-Leader.
ASAR (Animal Search And Rescue) Co-Lead
Napa CART Advisory Board Member
From early childhood, animals of all kinds have played a big role in Nancy’s life. As a child, when people asked her what she wanted to do when she grew up, the answer was simple: live in the country surrounded by animals! (It was only much later that she realized this question was actually about making money…) After graduating from the University of New Mexico in 1970, Nancy taught school on a remote island in Alaska before marrying Michael Kerson and coming back to the “lower 48.” In 1972, the two, along with Mike’s parents and another man, founded Vine Village, Inc. a 501c3 program for people with developmental disabilities, which they continuously directed until retiring in 2023. Nancy adopted her first Mustang, Sparky, in 2001. Nancy and Mike both have gentled and halter-trained several wild horses for the BLM adoption program, and their own personal herd now numbers 5 mustangs, a mustang mule, a BLM burro, and a mammoth saddle donkey. They also have a dog, 3 cats, and a flock of chickens. Nancy has been active in Napa CART from the beginning and was active in Napa CART’s response efforts during the 2017 and 2020 wildfires, as well as mutual aid for the 2018 Camp Fire and 2019 Kincade Fire. Currently, she serves as ASAR Co-Leader.
Katherine Theus
Grants Manager
Katherine has been in non-profit development for over ten years, with experience across the globe, including South America and Africa. She has worked with environmental, education, and human services organizations in both program and development capacities. She started Pitch for a Purpose in 2023 and is contracted with Napa CART for her grant-writing expertise. She is also an experienced horsewoman, previously working with private clients in horse care and rehabilitation, and owning two. Recent deployments include the Dixie Fire in Plumas County and the LNU fires in Sonoma/Napa counties.
Grants Manager
Katherine has been in non-profit development for over ten years, with experience across the globe, including South America and Africa. She has worked with environmental, education, and human services organizations in both program and development capacities. She started Pitch for a Purpose in 2023 and is contracted with Napa CART for her grant-writing expertise. She is also an experienced horsewoman, previously working with private clients in horse care and rehabilitation, and owning two. Recent deployments include the Dixie Fire in Plumas County and the LNU fires in Sonoma/Napa counties.
Karen Bradley
Operations Manager
Karen is a native San Franciscan who attended college at SDSU where she received a degree in Biological Sciences. After completing graduate school studies in Education, she moved to Napa to live with her now hubby Scott. They now happily share their ranch with 18 animals, livestock and pets alike. Karen has had a long tenure in veterinary medicine, starting at age 15. She now teaches veterinary nursing throughout the Bay Area after a 27-year career working as a Registered Veterinary Technician. She also worked as an associate field biologist working on avian monitoring and reproductive studies for the USGS while studying at SDSU. Karen joined Napa CART just after volunteering in the 2017 Tubbs fire here in Napa. Not long after, she began managing Napa CARTS volunteers. Today, you will find her coordinating the team’s training program and advocating for animals at every turn.
Operations Manager
Karen is a native San Franciscan who attended college at SDSU where she received a degree in Biological Sciences. After completing graduate school studies in Education, she moved to Napa to live with her now hubby Scott. They now happily share their ranch with 18 animals, livestock and pets alike. Karen has had a long tenure in veterinary medicine, starting at age 15. She now teaches veterinary nursing throughout the Bay Area after a 27-year career working as a Registered Veterinary Technician. She also worked as an associate field biologist working on avian monitoring and reproductive studies for the USGS while studying at SDSU. Karen joined Napa CART just after volunteering in the 2017 Tubbs fire here in Napa. Not long after, she began managing Napa CARTS volunteers. Today, you will find her coordinating the team’s training program and advocating for animals at every turn.
Allen Harrison
Transportation Lead
Allen Harrison graduated from high school in 1976 and joined the US Army. He spent 8 years in the army working as a mechanic. After an honorable discharge in 1984, he went to work at Davey Tree, trimming trees for PG&E. In October 1989, Allen began working at CalTrans and worked on the tree crew for 10 years, then transferred onto a road maintenance crew as an equipment operator. In 2001, he became a qualified trainer for commercial driver license, and equipment qualification. He started supervising the crew after being promoted to Lead Worker in 2014 but continues to train employees. Allen has had horses for 20 years and 2 donkeys for 8 years.
Transportation Lead
Allen Harrison graduated from high school in 1976 and joined the US Army. He spent 8 years in the army working as a mechanic. After an honorable discharge in 1984, he went to work at Davey Tree, trimming trees for PG&E. In October 1989, Allen began working at CalTrans and worked on the tree crew for 10 years, then transferred onto a road maintenance crew as an equipment operator. In 2001, he became a qualified trainer for commercial driver license, and equipment qualification. He started supervising the crew after being promoted to Lead Worker in 2014 but continues to train employees. Allen has had horses for 20 years and 2 donkeys for 8 years.
Deassa Binstock
Companion Animal Shelter Lead
Deassa was born and raised in Napa and shares her home with several pit bulls. She has been an RVT (think Veterinary RN) for 20 years. She is also a Co-founder of the Ripple Effect Animal Project and currently works for Napa Valley Veterinary Concierge.
Companion Animal Shelter Lead
Deassa was born and raised in Napa and shares her home with several pit bulls. She has been an RVT (think Veterinary RN) for 20 years. She is also a Co-founder of the Ripple Effect Animal Project and currently works for Napa Valley Veterinary Concierge.
Lisa Towell
Better Impact and Technology Lead
Lisa has been an animal disaster responder since 2010 and has deployed to both natural disasters and neglect/abuse cases. She is currently serving on the boards of two animal disaster non-profits and has worked to help standardize CART training offerings in the Northern California region. Lisa has also worked as an animal disaster planning consultant, guiding animal shelters through the process of creating a robust animal disaster plan and training their staff members. Lisa graduated from Stanford with two engineering degrees and previously worked as a program and project manager at various software companies. She enjoys bringing her project management, technology, and radio communication skills to the rapidly evolving world of animal disaster response.
Better Impact and Technology Lead
Lisa has been an animal disaster responder since 2010 and has deployed to both natural disasters and neglect/abuse cases. She is currently serving on the boards of two animal disaster non-profits and has worked to help standardize CART training offerings in the Northern California region. Lisa has also worked as an animal disaster planning consultant, guiding animal shelters through the process of creating a robust animal disaster plan and training their staff members. Lisa graduated from Stanford with two engineering degrees and previously worked as a program and project manager at various software companies. She enjoys bringing her project management, technology, and radio communication skills to the rapidly evolving world of animal disaster response.
Lauren Reichel
Hotline Lead
Lauren was born and raised in Napa. She has degrees in media studies from UCSC and UT Austin and works in pet care. Napa CART volunteers helped evacuate and shelter her horse and two donkeys during the fires in 2017, and she volunteers in hopes of giving other community members and their animals the same support.
Hotline Lead
Lauren was born and raised in Napa. She has degrees in media studies from UCSC and UT Austin and works in pet care. Napa CART volunteers helped evacuate and shelter her horse and two donkeys during the fires in 2017, and she volunteers in hopes of giving other community members and their animals the same support.
Joan Schwehr
Outreach Coordinator
Joan grew up on a farm in North Dakota, so animals have always been a part of her life. She moved to Napa CA in 1981, attended the JC and began a 34-year career at Napa State Hospital. She started as a Psychiatric Technician and retired in 2019 as a Nurse Instructor. Before retirement she became interested in Napa CART. She wanted to volunteer to do something in her community, and being an animal lover and having skills in crisis management, Napa CART was an obvious choice. Joan assisted with the LNU and Glass fires and provided mutual aid to Plumas County during the Dixie fire. She has two horses, a dog and a cat. Joan is part of the Animal Search and Rescue team as well as the Animal Technical Rescue team and enjoys educating the community on animal disaster preparedness as Napa CART’s Outreach Coordinator.
Outreach Coordinator
Joan grew up on a farm in North Dakota, so animals have always been a part of her life. She moved to Napa CA in 1981, attended the JC and began a 34-year career at Napa State Hospital. She started as a Psychiatric Technician and retired in 2019 as a Nurse Instructor. Before retirement she became interested in Napa CART. She wanted to volunteer to do something in her community, and being an animal lover and having skills in crisis management, Napa CART was an obvious choice. Joan assisted with the LNU and Glass fires and provided mutual aid to Plumas County during the Dixie fire. She has two horses, a dog and a cat. Joan is part of the Animal Search and Rescue team as well as the Animal Technical Rescue team and enjoys educating the community on animal disaster preparedness as Napa CART’s Outreach Coordinator.
Michele Badker
Shelter in Place Co-Lead
As a lifelong animal lover from Wisconsin, Michele can’t remember a time when there wasn’t one in her life for more than a couple of months. Her childhood allowed her extensive experience with horses through 14 years of competitive riding, as well as knowledge of cattle and chickens from helping with her dad’s hobbies. As an adult, Michele became well-versed in loving and caring for pigs, goats, donkeys, and cats. With her partner Mike, they now have a horse, 3 mini donkeys, 2 large goats, 2 feral cats and 2 dogs who all cohabitate in harmony. After the devastating 2017 fires, when Michele felt helpless, not knowing what to do or where to go with her horses, goats, and pigs, she sought out a way to not only educate herself but also to help others in a time of great fear and need. It’s now an honor for her to train and deploy alongside the courageous and brilliant people who make up Napa CART.
Shelter in Place Co-Lead
As a lifelong animal lover from Wisconsin, Michele can’t remember a time when there wasn’t one in her life for more than a couple of months. Her childhood allowed her extensive experience with horses through 14 years of competitive riding, as well as knowledge of cattle and chickens from helping with her dad’s hobbies. As an adult, Michele became well-versed in loving and caring for pigs, goats, donkeys, and cats. With her partner Mike, they now have a horse, 3 mini donkeys, 2 large goats, 2 feral cats and 2 dogs who all cohabitate in harmony. After the devastating 2017 fires, when Michele felt helpless, not knowing what to do or where to go with her horses, goats, and pigs, she sought out a way to not only educate herself but also to help others in a time of great fear and need. It’s now an honor for her to train and deploy alongside the courageous and brilliant people who make up Napa CART.
Mike Repetto
Shelter in Place Co-Lead
Being raised in both San Francisco (school months) and Sonoma (weekends and all summer) is how Mike remembers growing up. Summers in Sonoma involved raising cattle and sheep, but Mike’s great love of pigs grew from his time in the 4H swine program during middle school and high school. Though he enjoyed the best things about the city, it was the country he loved, so not long after college, he moved to Sonoma permanently. As an adult, Mike has supported the Sonoma FFA swine program and had a short run at breeding swine as part of the FFA High School program. Today, with his partner Michele, they have a horse, 3 mini donkeys, 2 large goats, 2 feral cats, and 2 dogs who all cohabitate in harmony. After the 2017 fires, he was prompted to get involved and become part of a resource to help others with animals in danger or in need of support. Volunteering with Napa CART and its generous Team of Volunteers is a privilege he’s grateful for.
Shelter in Place Co-Lead
Being raised in both San Francisco (school months) and Sonoma (weekends and all summer) is how Mike remembers growing up. Summers in Sonoma involved raising cattle and sheep, but Mike’s great love of pigs grew from his time in the 4H swine program during middle school and high school. Though he enjoyed the best things about the city, it was the country he loved, so not long after college, he moved to Sonoma permanently. As an adult, Mike has supported the Sonoma FFA swine program and had a short run at breeding swine as part of the FFA High School program. Today, with his partner Michele, they have a horse, 3 mini donkeys, 2 large goats, 2 feral cats, and 2 dogs who all cohabitate in harmony. After the 2017 fires, he was prompted to get involved and become part of a resource to help others with animals in danger or in need of support. Volunteering with Napa CART and its generous Team of Volunteers is a privilege he’s grateful for.