Who We Are
Matt Crites
Matt Crites, (Project Canine Vice-President, certified instructor/examiner, certified therapy dog team) volunteered with Project Canine for several years before joining the Board in 2022. He has a graduate degree in electrical engineering and has leveraged those engineering skills in various environments from car manufacturing to government research in remote sensing. He also has years of experience in small business and facilities management with a focus on operations in Seattle-area hospitality and canine services. Since 2022 he has had two certified therapy dog partners: Blue, Australian Shepherd and Princess Leia, Greyhound. (Photo: Matt’s therapy dog partner Blue and his former therapy partner Princess Leia.)
Donna Frindt
Donna Frindt (Project Canine Executive Director, instructor, and examiner, certified therapy dog team) has been with Project Canine in various roles since February of 2011. She brings years of business experience in marketing communications, project management, online business management and executive coaching to Project Canine. She has worked in a variety of business environments from large, Fortune 500-sized organizations to small entrepreneurial firms. Donna partnered for nearly 8 years with her Australian Shepherd, Dash, to provide therapy dog visits weekly at the Ronald McDonald House as well as to support a wide variety of Project Canine special events and programs. Donna is also a certified instructor and examiner and she leads all steps of the Project Canine certification process on a regular basis. Donna’s current therapy dog partner is another Australian Shepherd (related to her first one), named Blue. (Photo: Donna's therapy dog partner Blue. Blue is an Australian Shepherd.)
Missy Hughes
Missy Hughes, CPDT-KA (Project Canine Board Secretary, instructor and examiner) is a professional dog trainer and was a longtime member of the Great Dog management team in Northgate. After a thirty-year career in corporate communications and many years as a volunteer and board member with a variety of non-profit organizations, she followed her soul-dog Augie's advice and started working with dogs full-time. Missy has worked with dogs professionally for many years, in roles ranging from dog walker, to daycare dog handler to Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). She has taught a variety of classes and provides private training for all kinds of canine clients. She also leads Project Canine exams and classes. (Photo: Missy’s companion dog Jake.)
Nancy Kelber
Nancy Kelber, (Project Canine President), is the Co-founder, President and Strategic Lead of her own market research company. She has an extensive background in guiding new product launches and the development of marketing strategies and communication initiatives across diverse industries. Some of her greatest strengths are developing brand strategies and identifying insights that lead to sound business development recommendations. Before co-founding her firm, Nancy managed qualitative and quantitative research teams servicing healthcare, retail, entertainment and other industries. She also gained previous marketing experience with advertising and pharmaceutical companies. Nancy is a pet animal enthusiast, and her family includes two companion dogs, two Siamese cats, and a Bearded Dragon. (Photo: Nancy’s companion dog Maile.)