Happy Tails officers are elected annually to guide the organization and support our mission. Below are the qualified nominees for the 2026–2027 Executive Board.
Voting Opens: January 5, 2026
Voting Closes: January 19, 2026
Results Announced: February 1, 2026
Leah Hall
President Candidate
For the past year, Leah Hall has had the honor of serving as Happy Tails President, building on her six years of dedication to the organization. During her tenure, the Happy Tails board restored special visits, fulfilled critical organizational needs, and saw success in both membership and financial growth. An ongoing goal for Leah is enhancing the member experience, evident by the first successful fundraising event/gala in more than a decade. Her leadership is rooted in a deep understanding of the volunteer journey, from her time as Secretary to her ongoing work managing social media and volunteering with pet-handler evaluations.
Leah’s passion for pet therapy grew this year with the addition of her new dog, Dug. She is now a proud dual-team volunteer, sharing joy and comfort alongside both Dug and Daisy. These personal connections, combined with the relationships she has built with members, inspire her to continue striving for excellence. Leah is committed to fostering a supportive environment where our volunteers thrive, and she would be honored to continue leading Happy Tails as we spread healing throughout our community in 2026.
Deb Endres
Vice President Candidate
Deb Endres has been an active member of Happy Tails Pet Therapy since early 2024 and has completed nearly 100 therapy visits with her Collie, Topper. She currently serves as a Team Leader for visits at Emory St. Joseph’s, Cobb County Therapeutic Recreation, and Summit Autism Center, while also participating in visits to CHOA Scottish Rite, Peachford, Hillside, and Skyland Trail.
In 2025, Deb served as New Member Liaison, supporting and guiding new teams as they joined the organization. With a long-standing career in marketing insights and strategy at Chick-fil-A and The Coca-Cola Company, she brings strong collaboration, leadership, and strategic planning skills to Happy Tails. Combined with her deep commitment to the organization’s mission, Deb is well positioned to provide vision and direction for program growth, policies, and procedures to ensure Happy Tails continues to meet its goals and expand its impact.
Cassie Vanderhart
Treasurer Candidate
Cassie Vanderhart has been an active member of Happy Tails Pet Therapy since January 2022 and has completed more than 120 visits with her labradoodle, Dixie. She serves as a Team Leader and volunteers at William Bremen Jewish Home, Symponia Hospice, and the Ronald McDonald House.
Cassie has loved serving as Treasurer for the past year and is hopeful to continue supporting Happy Tails in this role. She brings over six years of experience as a CPA, along with a strong commitment to financial stewardship, transparency, and the organization’s mission.
Danielle Hopkins
Secretary Candidate
Danielle joined Happy Tails Pet Therapy in March 2020 with her dog, Puppy, a bluetick coonhound mix. In October 2021, Danielle and Puppy began their pet therapy visits, where the positive impact on the individuals they interacted with was immediately evident. Over the past year, Danielle has been serving as Secretary for Happy Tails Pet Therapy.
In addition to conducting visits, Danielle took on a leadership role as a Team Lead, overseeing visits at Oglethorpe University and occasionally filling in as Team Lead at Skyland Trail. Through these roles, she developed strong team leadership and organizational skills, helping to guide visits and ensure they ran smoothly and effectively.
Beyond routine visits, Danielle and Puppy participated in numerous special visits and fundraising events, further expanding the reach of Happy Tails’ mission and building meaningful connections within the community. Puppy retired in August 2024, and Danielle has remained actively involved with Happy Tails.
In her professional career as a chemist, Danielle is known for her ability to manage multiple tasks, maintain accurate documentation, and uphold a high level of precision—skills that translate directly to her work as Secretary.
Danielle is deeply passionate about pet-assisted therapy and its ability to bring comfort, joy, and healing to those in need. Her experience volunteering with Happy Tails, combined with her leadership background and administrative strengths, reflects her ongoing commitment to supporting the organization’s mission and contributing meaningfully to its continued success.