Meet Our Board of Directors
Our volunteer board is comprised of dedicated veterinarians and animal lovers who generously give their time and energy to support programs that represent our mission.
Dr. Irving Lerner - President
Dr. Lerner is a Miami native and graduated from University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1982. Three years after graduating he founded Crossroads Animal Hospital in Kendall and stills runs it to this day. He and his wife, Cindy, have been happily married for 40 years and have three children and three grand-children.
Dr. Robert Pane - Board Member, Past President
Dr. Robert Pane is originally from upstate New York and grew up working on a local dairy farm and in a local veterinary hospital. He completed his undergraduate studies at the State University of New York at Buffalo and went on to get his graduate degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell. He received his doctorate in 1975 and has been with the South Kendall Animal Hospital since 1977.
Dr. Bradley Richter - Board Member
Dr. Bradley Richter has spent over 35 years practicing veterinary medicine in Miami. He graduated with a degree in animal husbandry from the University of Missouri in 1974. After that he received an NIH grant in Nutritional Research. He enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing and golf. He has traveled all over the country and is involved in several local and national organizations.
Dr. Claudia Valderrama - Board Member
Dr. Claudia Valderrama graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995. She worked in a mixed animal practice for 7 years before starting Veterinary Relief Services. Dr. Valderrama hails from Cali, Colombia, speaks English and Spanish, and enjoys the challenges of working in many different practices settings. She is a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar and past President of the South Florida Veterinary Medical Association and currently Treasurer of the Broward County Veterinary Medical Association. In her free time, Claudia loves to scuba dive, travel on adventures, and do yoga.
Ana Sanchez - Board Member
After 17 years in the corporate arena, Ana sought a more entrepreneurial career and in 2010 became a Realtor. Today she ranks in the top 10% in terms of sales volume in her REMAX office. Born in Havana, Cuba, she was raised in Miami and educated at FIU, a graduate of the School of Business and Journalism and Mass Communications. She is a regular foster for special needs dogs at Paws4You Rescue, and does large-scale TNR efforts, as well as works as a feline foster. She assists the Foundation in fundraising events and communications. She resides in South Miami with her partner of many years, Kevin. They share a home with their rescue dogs Nina and Jimmy and numerous beloved cats.