HALO’s founder and Executive Director, Regina Willen, is a Neuroscience and Physiology Scientist. She is a board certified applied animal behaviorist  (ACAAB) with the Animal Behavior Society (ABS) and is an animal behavior consultant with the International Association Of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). She has extensively studied the behavior of shelter dogs in and out of the shelter. She specializes in creating behavior programs that are practical for shelter staff, volunteers, and the busy family. 

In January 2018, HALO opened our doors with our state-of-the-art Transitional Shelter on over 5-acres of land. Dogs who suffer from behaviors, such as aggression and resource guarding, are housed in the shelter with each having a 10×10 room and daybed. Each room has a TV for movies and music, and a camera for 24/7 monitoring. The shelter has a common area where the dogs can lounge with staff and volunteers on those not so friendly weather days. 

Since 2018, we have grown and evolved as the needs of our community have changed. Our focus is dogs who are facing rehoming, surrender, and euthanasia in their homes and community animals shelters. We offer many programs and services targeting owners, shelters, and rescues to provide training and resources. 

HALO continues to expand into the next chapter.