Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association
WALA Board of Directors
President
Alice Cobb
Florida, United States
After raising and loving many different dogs and other pets over the years, Alice was drawn to the Australian Labradoodle’s temperament and their amazing personality. Upon retiring from leadership positions in the non-profit sector, she felt she had the time to devote to starting a small, home-based Australian labradoodle breeding program. With the support of her three adult children, her two grandchildren and her husband, Alice devotes her time to improving this wonderful dog breed through health testing, genetics, and puppy development.
Vice President
Kristi Coopshaw
Ohio, United States
Starting with a Labrador Retriever breeding program in 1988, Kristi found, fell in love with, and transitioned to the Australian Labradoodle in 2005. Her focus was to maintain the style, temperament and health of the amazing family dog she loved. With her two daughters grown, her life has been fulfilled with the joy of adorable puppies. Kristi and her husband Chad share a love and passion for travel.
Vice President
Kathy Waggener
Oregon, United States
A life-long dog lover and owner, Kathy found her perfect breed when she brought home her first Labradoodle in 2006. Her twenty year career in human healthcare (now retired) lends itself to her passion for the careful development of the Australian Labradoodle breed. Her husband, children, grand-children, and wonderful dogs and puppies fill her life with joy and activity.
Corresponding Secretary
Susan Davis
Georgia, United States
Susan Davis grew up surrounded by retrievers at her grandparents' home. After adopting a breeder-pick Labrador Retriever puppy in 2005, Susan found her calling in creating Labradoodles. She and her husband have raised five children alongside countless Australian Labradoodles near Atlanta, Georgia. Susan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Georgia Tech and uses her natural passion for science to ensure her puppies are healthy, happy, and well-socialized.
Treasurer
Karen Yapp Raynor
Oregon, United States
Karen is a proud Mum to four beautiful daughters and seven delightful grandchildren. Loving life on her 20-acre ranch nestled in a valley of southern Oregon, Karen spends her days (and nights) caring for her beloved Australian Labradoodles in addition to horses, goats, a pet pig, and miniature donkey. Karen enjoys all aspects of her breeding program, teaching her grandchildren to embrace nature and hard work, gardening, and swimming with her doodles.
Carolyn DeBar
Montana, United States
Carolyn, her husband and three children fell in love with the Labradoodle breed in 2006. Since developmentally appropriate practices, educational enrichment, and nutritional programs are equally important to babies and puppies, she has found her early childhood degree and philosophies translate directly to advancing the Australian Labradoodle breed. She enjoys learning and applying the latest research while communicating with the breeding community and concentrating on the breed standard.
Claire Desrochers
British Columbia, Canada
After breeding Siberian Husky dogs and Border Collies, Claire lost her heart to Australian Labradoodles in 2004. This prompted her to return to breeding. Claire began her program in Alberta and then after the death of her husband and a brief hiatus, she moved to Vancouver Island in 2014 with her new husband, Renald, where together they resumed their passion for ALDs. Claire has a particular interest in canine nutrition and behaviour. Claire's grandchildren enjoy helping to socialise her puppies.
Anita Main
Florida, United States
Anita discovered Labradoodles searching for a breed for her youngest son who had dog allergies. Her family loves the breed so much that her three adult children all have a Labradoodle, including the youngest, who nine years later still has that first Labradoodle. Anita spent 20 years in education as a teacher and librarian. She now loves bringing joy to families with puppies from this wonderful breed. Along with her dogs and puppies, Anita enjoys writing, hiking, and travel.
Megan McLoughlin
New York, United States
Megan McLoughlin became a guardian for one of the top breeding programs on the East Coast and quickly fell in love with the Labradoodle breed. As someone who always adopted rescue dogs, Megan realized the life changing love Labradoodles could provide to those with allergies. Megan continues to spend her time loving and caring for all of her dogs while also ensuring that ethical breeding standards are maintained. When she is not busy being a full time dog mom, she enjoys traveling with her adult children and friends.
Gail Tighe
California, United States
In 2014, after over 30 years as Program Director of a Foster Family & Adoption Agency, Gail retired. Gail has been breeding and showing dogs since 1974. Since 1983 she has held positions with dog clubs. She met her first Australian Labradoodle at Camping World. Loving what she saw, she researched the breed. She was impressed with the breed’s intelligence, wonderful temperament, and the breeder’s commitment to health testing. She loves her daily ‘hug’ from her Australian Labradoodle.
Jessica Ward
Texas, United States
Jessica began her breeding journey when searching for a dog that was allergy friendly. She discovered Australian Labradoodles and a breeder who used guardians. She started as a guardian to one, which led to becoming guardian of two. Those girls led to her desire to know more about ALDs and breeding. And finally, here Jessica is today, lovingly breeding Australian labradoodles and raising them in her home! Her teenage son and mother work along side her, helping to breed well loved and socialized puppies to share with other families.