The AHDF Announces New President

Washington, DC, October 24, 2006 --(PR.com)-- The American Horse Defense Fund (AHDF) is pleased to announce that it has selected Ms. Shelley Sawhook to serve in the position of President for the organization.  Ms. Sawhook served as Media and Press Director for AHDF from 2003 to 2004 and as the President of the United Equine Foundation from 2002 to 2006.  Ms. Sawhook currently resides in Tipton County, Tennessee. 

The responsibilities of the President include working on issues to improve equine welfare, including continuing to work on the passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (SB 1915) currently pending before the US Senate.  The AHDF uses a network of State Coordinators to educate the public on issues relating to equine welfare and the office of the president will oversee this program and work on developing programs designed to assist equine rescues across the country.  Additional responsibilities include fund raising, communications and marketing.

The AHDF Board of Directors faced an incredible challenge to find a new leader and direction for the AHDF when its president and founder Trina Bellak passed away in May 2006.  Ms. Sawhook was selected as the most qualified candidate due to her previous work for and with the AHDF and its founder Ms. Bellak.  Ms. Sawhook lists as her goals passage of the ban on horse slaughter, developing programs to assist and support equine rescues, educating the public on issues of equine abuse and neglect and seeing AHDF reach its full potential.  Ms. Sawhook looks forward to serving the equine community in her position of AHDF president.

AHDF is the nation’s premier equine welfare protection and prevention organization. For more information about AHDF or to become a member, please visit www.ahdf.org or call 1-202-609-8198.

 ###