Meet Our Team

Mary Ann Boggess

If you’ve visited the kennel, you’ve probably met Mary Ann Boggess. Mary Ann is Craig’s partner and co-founder of Four Rivers Kennel. Originally from West Texas, Mary Ann graduated from Texas Tech University and went on to own & manage a cattle ranch in Belize. After building the kennel and facilities, Mary Ann moved to the kennel full-time, in 2012. Mary Ann is the co-owner and chief financial officer of Four Rivers Kennel.

Jason Fowler

Jason Fowler is the Vice President of Operations at Four Rivers Kennel, bringing over a decade of expertise in canine nutrition. Since joining FRK in 2013, Jason has been pivotal in the company's rapid expansion, notably overseeing the establishment of a cell culture lab and a metabolomics lab. He studied chemistry and biology at Missouri Southern State University and is currently pursuing a Business Administration management degree at Western Governors University. Beyond his professional commitments, Jason is actively involved in the community, serving on various boards & committees, including the Nevada Community Council on the Performing Arts.

Claire Timlin, PHD

Claire Timlin, PhD, is the Director of Research & Development at Four Rivers Kennel and has extensive experience in animal science and reproduction. Prior to her time at FRK, Claire spent several years working to improve reproductive efficiency of beef cattle using assisted reproductive technologies. Claire earned her PhD in Bovine Reproductive Physiology from Virginia Tech, and her BS in Animal Sciences from the University of Illinois- Urbana-Champaign. In her free time, Claire enjoys volunteering for the National Association of Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs (NAIGC) and playing with her three dogs

Sarah Dickerson, PHD

Sarah Dickerson, PhD, is the Senior Research Scientist for Four Rivers Kennel’s Canine Senior Center, and has broad expertise in instrumental analysis, methods development, reproductive neuroendocrinology, and the neurobiology of aging. Sarah received her BS in Biology from Sam Houston State University, where she studied the in vitro effects of curcumin derivatives on programmed cell death in a human leukemia cell line. Following graduation, she worked as an analytical chemist and explored an interest in atmospheric chemistry at Texas A&M University before starting her graduate studies in Pharmacology & Toxicology at the University of Texas at Austin. Her graduate research explored the impact of environmental endocrine disruptors on the development of brain regions that control reproductive function. She is a member of the American Society of Animal Science and the Association for Women in Science and is also involved in community outreach and promotion of STEM education. Since she joined FRK in 2022, Sarah has spearheaded several research projects, including amino acid requirements in aging canines, and presented the results of these studies at national conferences.

Fiona McCracken

Fiona McCracken is the Lead Research Assistant for Four Rivers Kennel. Before joining FRK, Fiona honed her research skills through participation in Southwest University’s CATALYST research program, and she was an undergraduate research assistant for several academic labs in the chemistry and biology departments of the institutions where she studied. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Fiona worked with a diverse team from UTHealth Science Center San Antonio on the largest systematic review of COVID-19 and MIS-C in pediatric patients. Fiona received her Bachelor of Science degree from Cottey College, where her undergraduate thesis focused on the role of serotonin in gut function and dysregulation. While she was earning her BS, Fiona established a standard protocol for our cell culture models. During her tenure at FRK, she has completed several research projects, submitted a scientific manuscript summarizing the results, and presented the data at a national conference. Fiona is a passionate supporter of equitable access to science education and STEM. Toward this end, she has previously coordinated a peer mentorship program and has given career talks to students in middle to high school.

Patrick Skaggs

Patrick Skaggs is the lead Laboratory Technician at Four Rivers Kennel. Born and raised in St. Louis, Patrick brings with him nearly ten years of quality experience of chemical processing in the aerospace industry, including testing and analysis. In his downtime, Patrick enjoys playing the ukulele and skateboarding.

Mary Fuqua

Mary Fuqua is the Supervisor for the Animal Care and Research Technician (ACRT) Team at Four Rivers Kennel. Mary joined FRK in 2022 as an ACRT and was promoted to ACRT Supervisor in 2023. Mary serves as our general kennel manager and oversees the daily care of our dogs, with a strong commitment to ensuring a clean, safe environment for both dogs and kennel staff. Mary knows the history of all our pet partners by heart, and her devotion to providing the best quality care possible allows us to collect the most meaningful research results. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and playing with her dogs.

ACRT Team Leaders

(Machelle Mullanix, Tanya Webb, Brooke Wilkinson, & Rachael Gilpin)

Animal Care Research Technicians and Research Staff

(Pictured left to right: Tanya Webb, Jason Fowler, Oliver Fuqua, Clinton Denny, Paxton Selby, Brooke Wilkinson, Mary Fuqua, Salem Jonker, Deszmind Johnson, Claire Timlin, Machelle Mullanix, Fiona Mccracken, Sarah Dickerson, & Patrick Skaggs)

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