CETA Foundation: The People of CETA
THE DIRECTORS: Past and Current Activities
The directors of CETA are dedicated as well as talented. They bring perspectives from many cultures and walks of life that will make for a rich program:
Russell Kusama, a native of Sacramento, is a licensed Marriage, Family and Child Therapist. He has been Administrator and Executive Director of Progress Ranch Treatment Services for Children since 1978 and actively involved since 1975 with California Group Home Association (now part of California Alliance of Child and Family Services) where he held all officer positions. He was the recipient of the 1985 Director’s Award from the State Dept. of Social Services for service on the Community Care Facilities Advisory Committee and Progress Ranch, under his guidance, received the 2005 Davis community’s Brinley plaque.
Jetta Mascon is the owner of Canine Therapeutic Center in Vacaville where she uses her certification to give dog training lessons, therapeutic massage and acupressure for dogs and horses. With Chief Solano Kennel Club, she serves as Obedience Chairman, Board member and trainer. American Kennel Club Canine Ambassador and Canine Good Citizen evaluator. She has been a volunteer with Sacramento County Sheriff's Department Canine Search and Rescue. Jetta is the owner of two registered therapy dogs with AKC titles including Rally and Open obedience and Companion dog utility level. She is a member of our Kids & Canines team and co-chair of CETA's Therapy Dog Program
Caroline Thompson has been a professional photojournalist since 1999. She combines writing and photography in her stories. Thompson's work has appeared in the "Sacramento Bee," "People Magazine," "Newsweek" and other publications. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in photojournalism from California State University Hayward (CSUH) and a Personal Trainer Certification from the Health and Fitness Institute out of CSUH. Thompson received the Recognition of Excellence in Photojournalism award from CSUH in 1998. She is a strong supporter of giving back to the community and donates a percentage of her time to the Special Olympics, the Children’s Miracle Network, the March of Dimes and other worthy causes. Her professional affiliations include ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers), NANPA (North American Nature Photography Association), EP (Editorial Photographers), NPPA (National Press Photographers Association), ADAC (Sacramento Art Directors and Artists Club), PPA (Professional Photographers of America)
Dr. Susan Chan from San Francisco's East Bay has been owner of Veterinary Outreach since 1990. ( website: www.vetoutreach.net ) She has 20 years of experience as a veterinarian with most of her clinical experience in low-income areas. Before veterinary school, she tutored special needs children, worked in church day camps in San Francisco Chinatown and developed an outdoor education program in Richmond. She was awarded the Malcolm X Tenet Human Rights Award by the Davis Action Coalition, the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award by the California State Assembly, and recognized for Outstanding Community Service at the 5th Annual Davis Martin Luther King Jr. Awards. During and after her service with Solano County, she pushed for many changes to reduce euthanasia rates, improve adoption success and improve animal health. She has personally fostered many "unadoptable animals", rehabilitating them so they could be placed in appropriate homes and still works with several rescue groups.
Dr. Chan has developed a collection of well-socialized animals that are appropriate for the various programs described. Her family has been actively developing facilities at Phoenix Ranch to support the educational programs described and invested in equipment for off-site presentations, a "barn" for gatherings and talks and is currently building a walk-in parrot aviary. She has done presentations for elementary schools and hosted group visits at the ranch and has developed safety rules and guidelines for visitors. Her annual sheep-shearing event has drawn many participants.
PLANS FOR CETA: Dr. Chan is currently doing activities on a small scale, and building the programs as volunteers and funds become available. We've laid out is a broad picture of the direction we want to take but we are realistic and know that it will take one step at a time. We are optimistic that the first step is one step toward an organization that can harness the enthusiasm of many and serve a broad spectrum of our community.