MEET THE FOUNDERS
Ilaria Borghese, MS, MA, OT
CEO & Co-Founder
Ilaria obtained her MS in Neuroscience from the University of Connecticut. She was Clinical Coordinator for the Brain Research Center-Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC, challenged with assessing new drug treatments for children with Autism. She continued her studies at Yale University School of Medicine and published several articles in peer-reviewed medical journals. Ilaria furthered her education at New York University and received her MA in Occupational Therapy. She used her research and therapy skills to work with canine patients and in 2001, started Thera-Paw, Inc. a company that designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes soft orthoses, mobility aids, and other assistive products for animals with special needs. Ilaria works with small animal practitioners to develop novel approaches to custom splinting and bracing. She teaches internationally, and has contributed to the 2013 publication Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (J. Wiley & Sons). In 2010, Ilaria co-founded STAAR, the Symposium on Therapeutic Advances in Animal Rehabilitation, a conference for veterinary professionals that offers advanced courses in comprehensive animal care taught by the leaders in the field. In 2020, Ilaria co-founded Vital Vet, a multi-platform supercenter dedicated to improve the lives of animal companions. All things related to veterinary rehabilitation, animal physical therapy, and pet fitness can now be found in one central location to help veterinary professionals and dedicated pet parents learn, connect, and make more informed decisions. Ilaria has a special interest in Greyhound dogs. She has lectured and written articles on paw-related conditions in ex-racing Greyhounds, and has conducted and co-authored one of the largest epidemiological studies on the breed.
Maria Denzer
COO & Co-Founder
Maria received a BS in Business Administration and worked at several retail and computer software/hardware companies before coming to work for Thera-Paw, Inc, in 2005. Maria is the General Manager for Thera-Paw and coordinates the development and manufacturing processes for new assistive products for animals with special needs. She works closely with other developers, manufacturers, and distributors to consolidate efforts and maximize exposure in the veterinary rehabilitative markets. Maria is the Co-Founder of STAAR and is responsible for coordinating the Conference's schedule and venue. She is known to frequent STAAR attendees as "The Cruise Director," since she is responsible for orchestrating the social gatherings during the Conference. When not behind the desk or on the phone, Maria enjoys spending time with her dogs. Her medical experiences with her Labrador, Haley (2 ACL surgeries, mast cell tumor removal, and pacemaker) and her pocket-pittie, Asher (patellar surgery, cerebellar abiotrophy) have helped her to better understand the special needs of animals and their owners. At home, Maria enjoys softball, volleyball, cooking, gardening and hanging out with her third level Dressage horse, Inferrous.
MEET THE TEAM
Deb Fabricatore
Production Coordinator
Deb is a retired special education teacher with a MA in Social Work and a MA in Counseling and Guidance. She has served on multiple nonprofit boards, focusing on environmental causes, women’s health, education, and disability advocacy. Her work with Veterinarians International and as a co-founder of EverythingALS showcases her commitment to impactful change. Currently, she holds the position of Production Coordinator for STAAR and serves as Director of Development for Hark-ALS. Deb is recognized as a highly effective advocate, fundraiser and event planner, committed to making a difference across various sectors.
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Jill Fox
Director of Engagement
Jill is an experienced marketing professional with a passion for helping animals. Since graduating from Monmouth University with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Marketing, she has amassed over twenty five years of experience in marketing communications. While working in marketing management for corporate companies, Jill started a marketing communications consulting business to share her proven skills with small businesses in need of support. Jill creates custom-tailored marketing plans for small businesses of all kinds to meet their unique goals. Jill's clients stem from many different industries, but she most enjoys working with animal-related businesses. Having consulted early on for companies focused on rehabilitating animals with special needs, the move to STAAR was a natural progression. She is thrilled to have this opportunity to combine her expertise with her love of animals. Jill has been with STAAR for over 10 years. She has worn many hats, working closely with the Conference founders, sponsors, exhibitors, attendees, and of course our invaluable dog volunteers. When not in the office, Jill spends much of her time working with animal welfare and rescue groups, and relaxing at home with her husband and “furry children.” Being the mom to a cat with a very rare condition (FGESF), Jill works closely with the world’s leading researcher of this condition to create and manage resources to guide pet parents, educate veterinary practitioners, and spread awareness. For more information on FGESF see: https://www.fgesf.org/
Vanessa Roberts
Marketing Manager
Growing up in New York City, Vanessa pursued her passion for global business at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), where she studied International Trade and Marketing. With over a decade of experience in digital advertising, she honed her skills in business development and client services before taking a well-deserved break to focus on her family. She then transitioned to real estate, working for five years at a boutique agency in beautiful Morris County, NJ. Now, she leverages her diverse experience in the pet rehabilitation industry, fueled by her love for animals and a commitment to ongoing learning and personal growth.
Lena Shore
Web Development
Lena is a full-time freelancer specializing in web development, graphic design, and illustration, and she has plenty of opinions on how to improve your project. Growing up as an only child and a Navy brat, Lena entertained herself by playing with bugs and catching lizards. She moved around a lot, read a lot, drew a lot, and made little clay sculptures. From a young age, she always said she wanted to be an artist. Her mother taught her how to type, paint, crochet, cook, and sew her own Barbie clothes. Meanwhile, her dad involved her in projects around the garage, sparking her love for tools. Today, she has a basement full of them, though she admits to feeling a bit guilty for not using them more often. Lena attended Stephen F. Austin State University, majoring in Illustration and Graphic Design. After graduation, she worked a variety of jobs before becoming the Art Director at a big corporation. Though corporate life taught her a lot, Lena eventually transitioned to freelancing.