Animal Hospice Group Board of Directors

Kathryn Marocchino, PhD

President, Board of Directors | Co-Founder, Animal Hospice Group

Dr. Kathryn Marocchino is a founding member and the current President of the Board of Directors for the Animal Hospice Group. She brings decades of expertise as a death educator,  hospice scholar, and grief counselor. Kathryn is also the co-founder and president of The Nikkki Hospice Foundation for Pets, where she and her late husband Gianfranco pioneered some of the earliest structured support systems for animal hospice and pet loss in the United States.

Kathryn has been carrying on her husband’s legacy by continuing to care for their geriatric community cat colony and will soon be retiring from California State University Maritime (now renamed Cal Poly, Solano Campus) after a teaching career spanning 36 years–to better serve their animals and devote more time to animal hospice. She also plans to focus her efforts on expanding and sharing her knowledge and expertise with a wider range of audiences.

With a doctorate from the University of Turin (Italy), a Fellow in Thanatology certification from the Association for Death Education and Counseling, and a profound interest in cross-cultural approaches to death and dying, Kathryn has shaped AHG’s emphasis on meaning-making, memorialization, and caregiver healing. She is the creator of AHG’s educational modules on spiritual care, anticipatory grief, and bereavement–and remains committed to helping animal care professionals and pet parents alike find comfort, clarity, and community during times of loss.

Karen Wylie, MEd, EdD, CAHP

Vice President, Board of Directors | Executive Director, Animal Hospice Group

Dr. Karen Wylie is the Executive Director of the Animal Hospice Group and serves as Vice President on its Board of Directors. With over two decades of experience in organizational development, adult education, and counseling, Karen brings strategic vision and a deeply compassionate approach to advancing AHG’s mission. Her early work in healthcare consulting — particularly during large-scale hospital acquisitions and mergers — informs her understanding of the structural changes currently unfolding in the veterinary industry.

A graduate of AHG’s certification program and a Certified Animal Hospice Practitioner (CAHP), Karen draws on both professional and personal experience in her role. She leads the organization’s continuing education initiatives for allied animal care practitioners and veterinary professionals focused on end-of-life support. Building on AHG’s foundational curriculum, Karen designed and now facilitates AHG’s Level 2 and 3 advanced courses, and student groups.

Karen is also co-founder of the BrightHaven Caregiver Academy, which offers practical resources and education for pet parents navigating life with aging or seriously ill animals. She co-hosts the podcast Peace of Mind for Pet Parents alongside AHG co-founder Gail Pope, where they explore caregiving, quality of life, and the emotional journey of living with and loving animals through illness, aging, and loss.

Gail Pope

Secretary, Board of Directors | Co-Founder, Animal Hospice Group

Gail Pope is a Founder of Animal Hospice Group and currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors. She is widely recognized as a pioneer in the field of animal hospice, having spent over three decades developing a heart-centered, spiritually aware approach to end-of-life care for animals. As the founder and longtime president of BrightHaven — a nonprofit animal rescue, hospice, and holistic education center — Gail has mentored countless caregivers and practitioners around the world.

Her teachings, rooted in love, presence, and a deep respect for the natural dying process, continue to inform AHG’s holistic approach to end-of-life care, which honors both natural death and euthanasia when appropriate. In addition to her role on the Board, Gail serves as a senior educational advisor and continues to participate in the AHG learning experience through curriculum development, mentorship, and co-facilitated student discussions.

She is also co-founder of the BrightHaven Caregiver Academy, where she continues to share her experience through collaborative education, legacy preservation, and caregiver empowerment. She also co-hosts the podcast Peace of Mind for Pet Parents with fellow AHG leader Karen Wylie, where they share stories and insights on animal caregiving, hospice, and healing.

Sonja Gerard

Treasurer, Board of Directors | Operations Manager, Animal Hospice Group

Sonja serves as Treasurer on the Animal Hospice Group’s Board of Directors and plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in day-to-day operations as AHG’s Operations Manager, managing our Customer Service and Technology. With a Bachelor’s degree in art and a strong background in graphic design, Sonja brings both technical and visual skills to her support of the organization. Her years of experience managing the backend of AHG’s online education platform, website, and student systems make her an indispensable part of the team. As AHG continues to evolve, her deep knowledge of the organization’s infrastructure and her dedication to its mission have been key to maintaining continuity and supporting both students and leadership.