January 29th, 2026 in Somerset County: CART requested by PSP to transport dogs from a humane case.January 23rd, 2026 in Somerset County: Requested by Somerset PD to foster a dog for an owner that is being hospitalized.January 28th, 2026 in Washington County: Mutual Aid Request - American Red Cross, pet care kits for 3 cats.January 26th, 2026 in Allegheny County: Pet Care Kit delivered for 1 dog & family displaced by house fire.January 26th, 2026 in Allegheny County: Pet Care Kit delivered for 2 cats & family displaced by house fire.January 25th, 2026 in Allegheny County: Advice & assistance requested in finding cat lost after house fire incident.January 26th, 2026 in Fayette County: Pet Care Kit delivered for 1 cat & family displaced by house fire.January 20th, 2026 in Somerset County: CART was requested for dog stuck in coal mineJanuary 7th, 2026 in Fayette County: 1 XL dog involved with owner in vehicle accident needing temporary foster while owner at hospital.January 23rd, 2026 in Allegheny County: Pet Care Kit requested for 3 dogs & 3 cats displaced by house fire.

Board of Directors | Pennsylvania Animal Response Team

Board of Directors

Mission Statement

Pennsylvania Animal Response Team (PART) was created in 2005 to address the needs of domestic animals in large scale disasters.  PART provides animal handling, emergency sheltering, and temporary foster care, all available to assist law enforcement and emergency responders with a simple call to 911.  We also provide guidance and training to local County Animal Response Teams faced with responding to any emergency related to domestic animals in the state of Pennsylvania.

PART is a nonprofit and is an organization ensuring the safety of animals in the face of an emergency. It is important to note that PART is not an animal shelter nor an adoption agency for animals.

We provide hands on response as well as training and guidance to emergency responders saving the lives of domestic animals including pets, equestrian, and agricultural animals.

These efforts benefit and represent the lives of millions of our innocent animals that are residents of Pennsylvania that do not have a voice, while also protecting human lives.

Pennsylvania’s animals are worth over 2 billion dollars and are ensuring their safety is vital to our state’s economy.

All Directors Serve Without Compensation

Effective 01-01-24

Joel Hersh-Board Chair
Mechanicsburg, PA
Term Expires December 31, 2026


Karel Minor-Vice-Chair and Treasurer
Federation of Humane Societies of Pennsylvania
Reading, PA
Permanent Seat


Molly Dougherty
PA Emergency Management Agency
Harrisburg, PA
Permanent Seat


Nan Hanshaw, DVM, DACVPM
PA Department of Agriculture
Harrisburg, PA
Permanent Seat


Norris Benns, Jr, Esq.
Philadelphia, PA
Term Expires December 31,2026


Erica Tramuta-Drobnis VMD, MPH, CPH
PA Veterinary Medical Association
Zionsville, PA
Permanent Seat


Douglas Dinwoodie
Ambler, PA
Term Expires December 31, 2026