Board of Directors
Jennifer Bentley, DVM, DACVD
PRESIDENT
Dr. Bentley is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist and native Oregonian. She received her degree in veterinary medicine at Oregon State University, followed by a rotating small animal internship and dermatology internship at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Bentley then went on to complete her three-year residency in dermatology at the University of Florida and she has a special interest in antimicrobial resistance. Her research on the subject won the honorable Peter J. Ihrke Resident Research Award.
Rick Plants
VICE PRESIDENT
Rick graduated from OSU in 1976, earning his BS in Music Education and finished his graduate work at Western Oregon University. Plants taught for 33 years—one year at Cascade Junior High, one year at Bend High School and 31 years at Mountain View High School as the Choral and Activities Director. While at MVHS he conducted the Mixed Choir of 70, the Concert Choir of 120, the Honors Jazz Choir of 24 and taught the school’s leadership class, the Executive Board.
Over those years his choirs won numerous awards and honors at multiple prestigious festivals throughout the Pacific Northwest and California. As the Activity Director, Plants oversaw all student activities as well as numerous fundraising events.
Through his direction the school generated over $250,000 in donations to Doernbecher Children Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, the Kids Center and other charities. Plants retired from his teaching career in the spring of 2009.
Plants has enjoyed his 49 years of marriage with his wife Jan, who is a CPA, his three sons: Mark, Curt, and Scott; and his 5 grandchildren. Rick and Jan also have a love for German Shepherds and have raised many wonderful dogs over the years.
Since his retirement he has been actively involved with GoodLife Brewing Company, which was started by his son Curt, and Backdrop Distilling, which is owned and operated by his son, Mark. Plants also enjoys having more time to pursue his love of golf, water sports, snowmobiling, camping and traveling with his wife, Jan and the family.
Linda Spencer
TREASURER
After graduating from OSU with a degree in accounting, Linda moved to
Bend and has been a bookkeeper here for 40 years. She lives in Tumalo
with her husband Kevin. They raised three daughters along with dogs,
cats, rabbits, chickens, pigs, cows, horses and mules. She is dedicated to using her skills to support the treatment of injured animals. Her mission is to use sound financial practices to assist PetsForward in tending to the furry friends that need it most.
Dr. Bridget O'Connor, DVM, MBA, CVA
SECRETARY
Dr. O’Connor is an internship-trained urgent care doctor who provides medical care for pets in Central Oregon. Dr. O’Connor is originally from Southern California where she completed her bachelors degree in Biology and Chemistry at Whittier College. After her undergraduate work, Dr. O’Connor moved to Davis to pursue her doctorate in veterinary medicine at the University of California. She went on to complete a rigorous rotating small animal internship at the University of Pennsylvania where she acquired additional training in a variety of veterinary specialties – including emergency medicine and urgent care. Dr. O’Connor spent time in Seattle as a primary care veterinarian for 10 years and more recently she has become certified in veterinary acupuncture and obtained her MBA.
Dr. O’Connor is passionate about being a veterinarian and animal advocacy. She considers it a privilege to provide exceptional medical care to all the pet companions in this area. When not in the clinic, Dr. O’Connor has many other interests which include hiking, running, ballet, riding horses, travel, photography, and her Irish heritage (hence the Irish nickname ‘Bridie’). Dr. O’Connor is married and has a wonderful family that includes her partner (who is also a veterinarian), their two children, as well as their 3 dogs Maya, Poppy, and Callie.
Jeremy Green
BOARD MEMBER
Jeremy is an attorney whose practice is concentrated primarily in the areas of business and real estate transactions, construction law, municipal law, employment law, and real property taxation. He regularly advises clients on issues of business and real estate acquisitions, construction contracts, BOLI complaints, and property tax assessments and appeals. In addition, Jeremy currently serves as the city attorney for the cities of Sisters, La Pine, John Day, Madras, Monument, Burns, Dayville, and Prairie City, and county counsel for Gilliam County. Jeremy also provides legal advice to the City of La Grande and the City of Redmond.
Jeremy joined Bryant Lovlien & Jarvis in 2004. For the past four consecutive years, Jeremy has been named a “Rising Star,” a distinction that recognizes outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
THANK YOU
With the continued support of compassionate donors and community partners, PetsForward is carrying forward the legacy of the VRCCO Care Fund, giving hope, healing, and progress to pets and the people who love them.