Here are the Therapy Dogs that support our Love On 4 Paws Board of Directors.
Ms. Suni Cookson, President, has served on the LO4P board of directors since 2003, and was elected as the board's chairperson in 2004. Suni began as a team volunteer in 2001, and has served as a coach, Team Leader and evaluator since 2002. She has over a dozen years of experience as a certified Pet Partners Evaluator, and has extensive training and competition experience in animal behavior. She conducts group and private lessons in obedience, agility, clicker training and tricks. In 1970 she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Pepperdine University, and taught Physical Education with L.A. Unified School District, where she coached several sports. From 1975 to 2000, Suni served in law enforcement. She was a uniformed officer in several of LA's toughest precincts, and retired in 2000 as a Sergeant. Suni enjoys traveling with her husband Vance, particularly on cruises!
Ms. Tink Ten Eyck was elected to the LO4P board of directors in 2010, after serving as a volunteer since 2007. In 2024, she was elected to the Treasurer’s position. She has served in a variety of production positions in her film industry career of more than 35 years, including Line Producer, Production Manager, and Production Accountant. Some of the films she has worked on include Twelve Years a Slave, Donnie Brasco, and Jumanji. Tink studied Animal Science and Food Industries at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She has been active in LO4P volunteer services as a handler of four different dogs. Tink is devoted to animal care and previously served as the Treasurer of the Valley Hills Obedience Club. She is also a judge in Rally under AKC auspices. Her hobbies include dog training, specializing in herding, agility, rally, and obedience.
Mr. Enrique Legaspi was elected to the board in 2018. He has had a long and distinguished career in the real estate industry as a senior executive officer of real estate investment trusts (REITs). He has been involved in all aspects of ownership of shopping centers including strategy, operations, underwriting, development, re-development, and growth. His management responsibilities covered institutional shopping center REIT's in California and 5 other Western states. He also handled sales and marketing to Fortune 500 accounts and AT&T for 10 years. He studied at Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles and the Cambridge Training Institute at MIT. He also studied Information Systems at the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). Enrique spends significant time assisting his wife, Mercedes, with her LO4P duties. In addition, Enrique is mentoring at-risk youth in Los Angeles' urban core and has served as a board member at the Rio Hondo Red Cross Chapter. Enrique and Mercedes have four daughters, one son, and four grandchildren!
Ms. Lori Rayor was elected to the board in 2021 and has been an active member in leadership roles since 2015. She was born and raised in Los Angeles. The youngest in her large family, she developed a sense of strength and justice for humans and animals at an early age. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Southern California, followed by a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and later, Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Doctor of Education in Urban Leadership degrees. After teaching for 10 years, she transitioned to administration. As Director of Special Education and Pupil Services she advocated for English Language Learners, children with disabilities, and students at-risk for 22 years. During this time, she worked with the Torrance Rose Float Association, serving as a board member from 2002 to 2021. She semi-retired in 2015. Her hobbies include teaching, reading about WWII, traveling to WWII sites in Europe, and enjoying her two dogs, which includes Love On 4 Paws visits and participating in agility events.
Mr. Michael Tockstein was elected to the board in 2020. He became a team volunteer with Hazel in 2016, after seeing the positive impact the dogs had on Alzheimer’s patients. Michael served 4 years in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War Era. While stationed on Guam, he met Teresa and married her after his discharge. He attended trade school in the state of Missouri, to study dental laboratory procedures. After working in the dental laboratory industry for 11 years, he wanted a career change. Michael had a passion for the outdoors and acquired a position with a local city as a tree trimmer. He retired after 28 years. Retirement brought on new adventures. His research on dog breeds, led him to Hazel, an Australian Labradoodle. She is a natural therapy dog and a great partner. Both enjoy their many visits and assisting with orientations. His four granddaughters love Hazel and they keep grandpa very busy. Having been raised in Missouri, he enjoys being outdoors, bike riding, antiquing, and working in his yard.
Ms. Raylene Baron was elected to the board in 2024 after serving as a volunteer since 2015. Her journey with Love On 4 Paws began with her dog Daisy, and continued with her neighbor’s dog, Lilly. Even though both dogs have aged out, Raylene remains actively involved by conducting orientations and coaching new volunteers. Originally from South Africa, Raylene immigrated to the US in 1987, living in both New York and Los Angeles. As an entrepreneur, she founded and successfully ran a technical staffing company for 25 years before retiring in 2021. Beyond her work with Love on 4 Paws, she volunteers with Senior Care Home Entertainment, an organization that provides entertainment to individuals in senior care facilities. In her personal life, Raylene enjoys the beachside community of Venice, where she walks on the beach most days and indulges in the local restaurants and cultural offerings. She shares her home with Roxy, a spirited Yorkshire Terrier puppy.
Mr. Jim Richards was elected to the Board of LO4P in July 2024, after volunteering in the South Bay with his Cavapoo, Charlee, since 2022. Jim spent nearly 60 years working in youth development, predominantly as an executive for Boys & Girls Clubs (BGC). He possesses vast experience in nonprofit management, including fundraising, strategic planning, board development, and program development. In addition to serving as the President/CEO of BGCs in San Francisco and Las Vegas, he also served for 10 years as a regional Vice President for BGCA. Jim earned a reputation as a “fixer” because of his service as an interim President/CEO for numerous BGCs, rebuilding organizations for new leadership to take over. While he officially retired in 2012, Jim continues to serve as an organizational development consultant. He and his wife, Kim, enjoy gardening, traveling, wine tasting, and exploring underwater landscapes on annual dive trips to far-reaching destinations.
