Doylestown Residents Joins Board Of Directors At Roxy Therapy Dogs

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Roxy Therapy Dogs is welcoming two new members to its board of directors - Stacey Pedersen, the principal of Pine Run Elementary School in New Britain, and Dr. Lauren Celano, the medical director at the Doylestown Animal Medical Clinic.

Pederson is the principal of Pine Run Elementary School in New Britain. This is her fourth year as principal and her 22nd year with the Central Bucks School District.

She has worked alongside Roxy volunteers for many years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Currently at Pine Run, there are Roxy volunteers in 14 classrooms.

Pederson said she feels strongly about the benefits of the Roxy Reader program on her students and reports an increase in the joy of reading and a positive impact on student confidence.

"Pine Run has sought new ways to engage our volunteers and families both during and after school," said Pederson. "They have volunteers in classes at all levels and at events such as Literacy Night."

Pederson and her husband have three daughters at West, Tohickon, and Linden. In addition, they have two Bernese mountain dogs, Gary and Kevin. Stacey and her family live in Doylestown Borough and enjoy being a part of the community.

Dr. Lauren Celano received her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Delaware. After graduation, she accepted a biochemist position in vaccine research at Merck and Company Inc. While at Merck, she earned a Master of Science degree in molecular biology from Lehigh University. She went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and completed a Veterinary Business Management Association certificate.

After a rotating internship in small animal medicine and emergency critical care at Hickory Veterinary Hospital in Plymouth Meeting, Dr. Celano moved to Doylestown to start a family. She has two children.

Dr. Celano is the medical director at the Doylestown Animal Medical Clinic where she started an Integrative Pet Therapy Center to offer more services to aging and hurting pets. In her career, she has observed firsthand the powerful benefits of the human-animal bond.