June 24th, 2025 in Somerset County: Activated for two horses loose along rte 160 in BerlinJune 19th, 2025 in Northampton County: Responded to horse down in her stall unable to get herself up.June 16th, 2025 in Somerset County: Requested for about 10 cows and calves on National PikeJune 10th, 2025 in Somerset County: Requested for a cow and a bull loose in Stoneycreek Township.June 9th, 2025 in Somerset County: Requested for 15 goats on route 30 in Stoneycreek Township.June 13th, 2025 in Allegheny County: 1 dog, 1 cat & 4 kittens with owner now displaced due to house fire and in need of supplies. Pet Care Kit delivered.June 10th, 2025 in Allegheny County: 1 puppy & owner displaced by fire in need of supplies in need of Pet Care Kit.June 8th, 2025 in Allegheny County: 1 dog & owner involved in house fire and in need of supplies. Pet Care Kit delivered to them at hotel.June 7th, 2025 in Westmoreland County: 1 dog & owner displaced by flooding in need of supplies and possible fostering. Pet Care Kit delivered to h...June 7th, 2025 in Allegheny County: Lg dog & owner displaced by fire in need of supplies. Pet Care Kit delivered to hotel.

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