Task Force Members

Dr. Joe Stark, a native of Fenton, is a 1986 graduate of Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine. He established Lake Area Animal Hospital in Lake Charles where he practiced small animal medicine and surgery for 29 years until his retirement in 2022. He has been the Board President and Veterinarian for Bayou Animal Rescue Krewe (BARK) since 2016. In addition to his work with BARK, he currently serves as a part-time contracted veterinarian for several rural animal control facilities.

Dr. Chalyn Fayard is an associate veterinarian practicing at Claiborne Hill Veterinary Hospital in Covington, Louisiana. A Denham Springs native, she earned her veterinary degree from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Her areas of interest include behavior, dermatology, and pain management. She is certified in veterinary acupuncture and pursuing certification in veterinary chiropractic. She and her spouse have one son and an assortment of dogs, cats, tortoises and chickens at their home in Folsom, Louisiana.

Chip Fitz is the Director for the Tangipahoa Parish Animal Control Shelter.

Shelly Liles Fontenot, D.V.M., is a Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association Representative.

Brent Robbins is the State Veterinarian, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Henry L. Wimbley, Alexandria city shelter director. Wimbley is a native of Indianola, Miss. and a resident of Alexandria, La. since 1982. He became the first African American appointed to serve as Superintendent for the Alexandria Animal Shelter in 1995. Wimbley is 1980 graduate of Mississippi Valley State University. After receiving his B.A. in Business and Accounting, Wimbley worked as a bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Wimbley completed the Alexandria Regional Police Academy in 1995 and has worked as for the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office for the past 25 years. He currently holds the rank of Lieutenant.

Recently retired as the Plans Section Chief of the Emergency Programs Division with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), Robbie Averett is passionate about improving and saving the lives of the people and animals of the State of Louisiana. Ms. Averett was instrumental in writing Louisiana’s plan on pet evacuations, sheltering, transportation, and support services. This plan is now being utilized in other states as the highest standard for pet safety during disaster response, making Louisiana the leader in saving people and pets during disasters.