DVM, DACVECC

Dr. Converse, a Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Specialist has more than 25 years of clinical, educator, and administrative experience in veterinarian healthcare settings.  Her positions have included veterinarian practice ownership, Medical Director, Radioactive Iodine Department Director, Clinical Instructor, and Volunteer Veterinarian.  Dr. Converse was a founding member of Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin, a 501c3.  As this organization’s president and medical director, she currently travels throughout Wisconsin educating K9 handlers and EMS personnel on point of injury care for animals experiencing a traumatic event. She was a co-founding member for NAVEMS (National Association Veterinary Emergency Medical Services) and has also served on multiple nonprofit organizations focusing on suicide prevention and veterinary hospice.   She presently is self-employed as a Locum Clinical Instructor in veterinary emergency and critical care with current responsibilities at multiple colleges of veterinary medicine nationally.  Dr. Converse obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.

CVT

Lyn has more than 25 years of clinical, veterinary practice management and educator expertise in primary and emergency veterinary care in addition to roles as a Veterinary Relations Representative and an Operations Director.  Outside of her veterinary employment responsibilities, her genuine passion for volunteering her time and talents for the health of animals is very apparent to her community and profession.   She is a member of the WVMA (Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association), the WVPMA (Wisconsin Practice Manager Association), the WVTA (Wisconsin Veterinary Technician Association), & NAVEMS (National Association Veterinary Emergency Medical Services).  Lyn also sits on the Veterinary Examining Board.  Lyn was a founding member of Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin, a 501c3 in 2020 where she serves as its Operations Director and is on its Board of Directors.  Her present role involves scheduling, coordinating and co-teaching all the Operational K9 Medical Team of WI educational sessions on point of injury care to K9 handlers and emergency medical service personnel. Her Veterinary Technician degree was obtained from Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wisconsin.

CVT

Kris is one of the founding members of OPK9 Medical Team of Wisconsin.  She started her veterinary career as certified veterinary technician over 20 years ago.  She has a passion for educating the law enforcement community and was also instrumental in advocacy of SB 435.   She currently is employed at Blue Pearl Pet Hospital as the hospital administrator in Appleton, Wisconsin.  She enjoys outdoor activities with her husband and two children.

BBA

Wendy Stabler is the Financial Director of Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin, a 501c3 with more than 20 years financial focused expertise for both non-profit and for-profit entities. She is currently the Controller of BEAMING Inc., a non-profit which provides adaptive horsemanship and equine-assisted learning for children with disabilities, high-risk youth, veterans, and individuals with dementia.   Previously she worked for 18 years as the Controller for Horizon Veterinary Services and has held a variety of accounting roles in areas including research and development, private trusts, construction, the paper industry, and public accounting.  Wendy has served as the Treasurer on the Board of the Winnebago 4-H Horse and Pony Project since 2009.  She also helps in fundraising at the Tack Sale and May Horse Show and putting on 4-H’s annual Autism Ride.  Wendy received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Finance) from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado.

MSN, BSN | Community Liaison

Charlotte has more than 30 years of clinical and administrative experience in healthcare organizations, including positions as Chief of Nursing Services and Director of Surgical Services. In addition to her leadership skills in all areas of critical care and general medical/surgical acute care areas, she has administrative and consulting expertise in service specific healthcare programs nationally and internationally. She also has experience in education, including positions as Educational Coordinator and Assistant Professor, and she has developed nursing recruitment and education programs, as well as curriculums for a university program.  She has also worked in Asia and Europe during her years of service in the United States Army.  She is an active Board member of Operational K9 Medical Team of WI since 2021.  Charlotte holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees with a major in Nursing.

Public Service Liaison

Deputy Robert Zill Jr.’s professional life of service started more than 20 years ago in the United States Marine Corps.  Following his military service he has served as a police officer for 18 years, including 9 of those years as a K9 handler and is current handler to K9 Skylar.  He is SWAT team leader for the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, Field Training Officer and Honor Guard member. His additional leadership and teaching roles include WLECHA Board member for 6 years, FVTC Adjunct Instructor for 10 years, Master Instructor for the State of WI, and Instructor for the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.   Deputy Zill had been an active member for Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin Board of Directors since 2020.

MD, FAEMS, CCEMT/P | Human Medical Liaison

Dr. Stroman, an Emergency and EMS physician is dually boarded in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services.  In addition, he maintains licensing as a Paramedic with endorsements for Critical Care and Tactical EMS.  He has served EMS as a Medical Director since 1990, covering ground EMS, Air Medical, Fire, and Law Enforcement agencies in Indiana and Wisconsin. As an active member of state and regional bodies, he served on the State Trauma Advisory Council through the development and implementation of the State Trauma Program, helped establish the Northeast Wisconsin and Fox Valley Regional Trauma Advisory Councils, and served as an Executive Council member and past Chair.   Dr. Stroman developed the MD-1 Program through the Aurora BayCare Medical Center, providing direct physician response and oversight at the scene of complicated responses, as well as medical and tactical training for Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement colleagues.  Operational K9 Medical Care has been integrated into the primary and continuing education curriculum and he has served on the Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin Board of Directors since 2020.  He holds faculty teaching positions in the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and also the Medical College of Wisconsin, and served as the Medical Director for EMS Programs at Fox Valley Technical College Public Safety Training Center.