Humane Action Pittsburgh
Aimee Douglass, Director of Compassionate Living
Aimee authors the HAP blog and has been a volunteer with HAP since 2018. She is an active participant in the Compassionate Living campaign and in 2019 tabled at her first event for HAP. Aimee works in the healthcare industry and has a bachelors degree in Creative Writing from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and a masters degree in Communications with a health care focus from Southern New Hampshire University. She lives in Penn Hills with her husband and their three dogs.
Kayla Seifert, Director of Fundraising
Kayla oversees all fundraising activities for Humane Action PIttsburgh. She has been passionate about being kind to animals since childhood and is proud to have recently adopted a fully vegan lifestyle thanks to everything she’s learned from HAP. She is a nonprofit professional, having worked for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation and Animal Friends, and she is also a volunteer with Forever Home Beagle Rescue. She lives in Regent Square with her rescued beagle, Stanley.
Christian Animal Rights Association
Author Matthew A. King
Matthew A. King will be presenting “Veganism: A Biblical Ideal.” He is the President and Co-Founder of the Christian Animal Rights Association, as well as the author of the recently published, I Will Abolish the Bow: Christianity, Personhood, and the End of Animal Exploitation. The organization will be selling t-shirts, tote bags, books, and other merchandise; as well as distributing educational materials. Be sure to stop at their booth to purchase an autographed copy of his new book!
Buddhist Perspective and Veganism
Luisa Nayhouse, MA, MS, Licensed Professional Counselor
Luisa received her Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Duquesne University and a Master of Science in Applied Developmental Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. She completed a Post-Masters Certification in Social Systems and Family Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. Luisa draws from Family Systems, Eastern Meditative Practices and Humanistic-Existential Psychology as well as a broad range of other theories in counseling. Luisa’s approach is holistic including encouraging a connection with issues pertaining to the well-being of one’s environment and the communities in which individuals are embedded. Luisa has been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2012 and has over 20 years experience working in a variety of settings, including Community Behavioral Health facilities and hospitals providing individual , couples and family therapy and mental health and substance abuse group therapy. She is trained in Trauma-Focused TF-CBT therapy, Motivational Interviewing and the Transdiagnostic Approach to Change and is a member of the Western PA Society for Adlerian Therapy. She currently works full time as a Behavioral Health Consultant in the medical field: integrating support services for patients in traditional medicine. She is also an Educator on staff at the Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute teaching continuing education courses for licensed psychologists, social workers and licensed counselors on Spiritually Integrated Therapy; Understanding Client Religious Diversity : Clinical Issues & Best Practices.11 years ago Luisa became a Licensed Group Fitness Instructor at several local gyms and community centers teaching Zumba, Yoga, Circuit and Cardio classes. She was a Dancing Classrooms Ballroom Dance Instructor and taught Ballroom Dance : Tango, Merengue, Waltz, Foxtrot, Swing, Cha-Cha, Rhumba and Hip-Hop in the Pittsburgh Public Schools a joint program that taught children social and emotional skills though dance. She is an Amateur Argentine dancer. Luisa has been part of the Soka Gakkai International Peace, Culture and Education organization for almost two decades where she continues serving as a Buddhist women’s division leader.