Our Team
Gisela Mehnert, Founder, President
Gisela has devoted her entire life to addressing the mistreatment of animals. While working in Spain many years ago, she became aware of the abuse and abandonment of the Galgo Espanol. and she adopted her first galgo, “Bianca”, a female who was too ill to be placed for adoption elsewhere.
Gisela created Fundacion Benjamin Mehnert and its shelter, and has made it the finest facility of its kind in Spain - taking in injured, sick, and abandoned dogs, giving them extraordinary care, and arranging for adoption to loving homes. FBM currently sends over 1,000 dogs to new homes in Europe and the United States every year.
Rocio Arrabal, Veterinarian, Vice President
Rocio has been with FBM for 12 years, and heads the staff there, supervising three full-time veterinarians and three veterinary assistants, as well as a medical support staff of five and an office support staff of four. In addition, Rocio supervises veterinarians who periodically volunteer their medical skills at the shelter.
Rocio gets her satisfaction from receiving photos of the adopted dogs safe and happy in their new homes with loving owners.
Liz Mishima, Director
Liz has combined a long career at a major US corporation with her love of dogs, and has over 15 years of dog training experience. For seven years, she has been a certified dog training partner with the Karen Pryor Clicker Training Academy.
Liz is a member of APDT, Pet Professional Guild, and is an AKC Canine Good Citizenship evaluator.
Liz’s passion is working with rescue dogs, specializing in timid or fearful animals, and she maintains current skills through ongoing training.
Mary Jane O’Connor, Director
Mary Jane has been active in sighthound rescue for many years, and has had four certified therapy sighthounds. Her youngest dog is a Galgo, “Francisca”, who was rescued in Spain and certified in 2019 as a therapy dog in the United States, and is already a favorite with the patients whom she visits.
Mary Jane brings experience in administrative work and with several other charitable organizations, including Love, Hope, Believe Galgo Adoption. She has made several volunteer trips to work at FBM in Spain.
Bud O’Connor, Director
Bud has worked on behalf of Galgo adoption, both through volunteer work at FBM in Spain and on behalf of Love, Hope, Believe Galgo Adoption here in the USA.
He has also worked for many years as a volunteer fundraiser for a street children’s project in Nairobi, Kenya.
Bud is mostly retired from a career in commercial real estate, and feels that helping these animals is one of the most worthwhile things that he can do now.
Lisa Jo Clark, Director
Lisa Jo is a Global Communications Manager and Software Technologist who has been active in animal rescue for many years working with dogs, fostering, transporting, and facilitating adoptions. She has served on non-profit Boards and currently volunteers in the kennel at a local shelter. While involved on-the-ground at Puppy Mill rescues and hoarding incidents she developed a keen interest in helping dogs with emotional issues caused by trauma.
She became drawn to the plight of the Galgo after meeting several at a local rescue event. After staying at the FBM shelter in Spain and working directly with the Galgos, staff, and volunteers she was inspired to combine her love of dogs with her professional skillsets to join the fight to end the abuse of this magnificent breed through education and adoption.
You can help.
FBM depends on the generosity of donors. Your gift will go directly to the care and rehabilitation of abused and abandoned Galgos. We can’t do it without you!