Cheri Hershell is a 2003 graduate of the Vet Tech Institute who spent 17 years in veterinary medicine before finding her calling as an advocate for victims of domestic violence. In 2018, after eight years as a founding volunteer of the PAWS for Empowerment program, Cheri joined the Crisis Center North family as a canine intervention specialist and legal advocate. Cheri accompanies victims of domestic violence to court with canine advocate “Rune,” a chocolate Labrador Retriever, and presents to local veterinarians and animal professionals on the intersectionality of animal/human abuse. In 2022, Cheri was honored as the American Humane Hero Veterinary Nurse of the Year.