Kathleen Prasad has been a life-long animal lover and an educator for over 15 years. She has a BA in History from U.C. Berkeley and a California teaching credential from Sacramento State University. She has authored several fantastic books, including the “Animal Reiki Handbook” and “Animal Reiki: Using energy to Heal the animals in your life” and several other fantastic books. She has designed curriculum and community projects for her students in animal kindness, encouraging volunteer work in animal shelters. In 1998 Kathleen learned Reiki and began volunteering Reiki in animal shelters. Inspired by her experiences, she decided to dedicate her teaching career to Animal Reiki full time in 2002. Her work has been featured in “The Journal of the American holistic Veterinary Medical Association, Animal Fair, The Whole Dog journal, Dogs naturally Magazine, Dog Fancy, Animal Wellness Magazine, Equine Wellness Magazine, and Natural Horse Talk Magazine” Contact Kathleen by email at info@animalreikisource.com

Mick Goodwin heads up Dog Force Australia following a successful 29 year career with the NSW Police Force.

Mick finished his distinguished career as a Superintendent of Police and Commander of the New South Wales Police Force – Counter Terrorism & Special Tactics Command – State Protection Group Dog Unit – the largest canine law enforcement organisation in Australia.

As Commander of the NSW Police Dog Unit, Mick pioneered some cutting edge strategies including the introduction of the Detection Dog Breeding Program and the Dog Unit Regionalisation Project which introduced the deployment of police dogs to regional areas throughout NSW.

During his service as a senior officer with the NSW Police Force, Mick’s impressive list of credits include appointments as Operational Commander at the Bathurst V8 Supercar Motor Races (2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011), 2009 NRL Grand Final and the 2009 Australian Papal Visit.

Mick has vast experience in Human Resource Management and has delivered extensive training and development strategies in his former role as Commander of the NSW Police Dog Unit.

Mick has completed an Associate Diploma in Administration (University of Wollongong), Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment, Diploma and Certificate IV in Security & Risk Management, Certificate III in Investigative Services and is an Approved Trainer with the NSW Police Force Security & Licensing Enforcement Directorate (SLED).

Why I Am On Gaza Freedom Flotilla 3 | By Ann Wright

I served 29 years in the U.S. Army and retired as a Colonel. I was also a U.S. diplomat for 16 years and served in U.S. Embassies in Nicaragua, Grenada, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Sierra Leone, Micronesia, Afghanistan and Mongolia.

In my 2003 letter of resignation from the U.S. government in opposition to U.S. President Bush’s war on Iraq, I cited the “continuing unbalanced policies of the United States in Israeli-Palestinian issues” as one of my major concerns on U.S. foreign policy.

I had had an assignment in the Middle East. My first experience in Palestine was in January 2009 when I travelled to Gaza and saw the brutal destruction of much of Gaza by the Israeli attack and the deaths of over 1400 persons. Afterwards, I helped organize 5 delegations to Gaza in 2009, including the Gaza Freedom March with 1300 participants from 30 countries. I returned to Gaza in 2011 as a part of an international parliamentary delegation and again in 2012 after the Israeli attack on Gaza. I was a passenger on the Challenger 1 boat in the 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla in which the Israeli commandos executed 9 persons on the Mavi Marmara (a 10th person has now died from his injuries) and wounded over 50 and beat up passengers on each of the six boats in the flotilla. I was an organizer for the U.S. Boat to Gaza, The Audacity of Hope, in the 2011 Gaza Freedom Flotilla and an initial organizer for Gaza’s Ark.

I am horrified by the brutal 55 day Israeli attack on Gaza in 2014 that left over 2,200 dead and 10,000 wounded and much of the country in ruins. I am equally horrified by the lack of international assistance for the people of Gaza during this past year and by the impunity that Israel has in the international community for the criminal acts it has committed on the people of Gaza and the West Ban.

I am participating again in another Gaza Freedom Flotilla because I am totally and completely opposed to the continuous Israeli naval blockade of Gaza and the U.S. complicity in the frequent massive Israeli attacks on the people of Gaza. Without the approval of the United States and the military weaponry from the United States, Israel would be unable to continue its military destruction of Gaza and the occupation of the West Bank. As a concerned citizen of this planet, the least I can do is challenge Israel and my country, the United States, by this flotilla.

October 05, 2016

Zaytouna-Oliva taken in International Waters: Whereabouts of Participants Unknown

For the most up-to-date information, follow Women's Boat to Gaza on Twitter or check their website for ongoing updates.

Update: Women to be "deported"/Details Emerge About Capture.

This afternoon, the Women's Boat to Gaza was making good progress to the shores and the women were emotional about meeting all the people in Gaza who were waiting for them. Some of the Palestinians had spent the night at the beach to greet them.

At 9:58 (EST) organizers lost total contact with the Zaytouna-Oliva. The US embassy confirmed that the boat was intercepted. At this time organizers do not know where occupants of the boat are being held.

It is important to know that this happened in international waters and it is not only illegal but sets a bad precedent in giving a greenlight for other nations to attack civilian ships in international waters. The Zaytouna-Oliva was carrying no material aid. This was by design because Israel, as a premise for their attacks, would claim that weapons and contraband were on board. The owner of Zaytouna-Oliva is Israeli.

Ann Wright is a decorated former US diplomat, a member of Veterans For Peace and on our Advisory Board. On board with her were three parliamentarians, an Olympic athlete and Nobel Peace Laureate, Mairead Maguire. They were committed to nonviolence as much as they were committed to breaking the blockade.

Ann has traveled thousands of miles and made a great sacrifice for human rights.

Unlike other nations that have women on the boat, we Americans provide military equipment to Israel that may very well have been used against Ann and our international friends. The blockade on Gaza must end!

Helen Leatham is an Australian Registered Nurse who has worked around the world with love and integrity, to bear witness and stand with her fellow man. Her passion, though, is dying and with her nursing work the only way she could do it for so long in any western world hospital was to ask God to let her look after someone who needs her to help to have a discussion about their death. Her goal is always to help each person face their death without fear and not be trapped on the other side. This also means supporting the family to let go and guiding patient and family through the dying process.

Helen has also dedicated years to help improve conditions in some of the most devastated regions of the globe. After serving in an Australian aboriginal setting, Helen moved quickly to the 'front lines' with Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) in Afghanistan, Sudan and Nepal. Helen lived and worked in areas afflicted with constant warfare, desperate privation, and extreme heat. Malnutrition and dehydration were among the most common maladies affecting her patients, many of whom were newborns.

For more information on MSF, please see their website: doctorswithoutborders.com

Helen can be found on Facebook, and her email is: helen.leatham@aapt.net.au

Michael Sage Hider obtained a B.S. Degree in Metallurgical Engineer from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio. Having been in the Air Force ROTC Program, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. In the Air Force, Hider’s first assignment was to participate in hypervelocity impact studies at Eglin Airforce Base, Florida. He was then selected as part of an elite group of engineers to perform underground nuclear tests at the Nevada Test Site. Hider says that after conducting atomic bomb tests during the day, it was those many long and quiet nights in the Nevada Desert which allowed him much time to deeply reflect on what matters most in life. He concluded that obtaining and maintaining Enduring Peace of Mind, perpetual and deep contentment at the center of your being regardless of what has occurred in your life, is the greatest treasure in the world. It became obvious to him that perfect peace is much more valuable than fame and/or fortune, silver and/or gold. That is the peace of which Confucius, Buddha, and Jesus spoke. Those musings launched him on his lifetime journey which would ultimately lead to his development of the theory of how a person can obtain and maintain Enduring Peace of Mind through all the vicissitudes of life. After three years of active duty and some reserve time, Hider was honorably discharged from the Air Force with the rank of Captain. In further pursuit of his quest, Hider entered Seminary where he delved deeply into the matters of Theology, Philosophy, Latin, and Greek. It was during this scrutiny that he conceived of the concept of shaping one’s life by the use of Good Life Truths and positive thought dwelling. He came to realize that outside circumstances and conditions do not determine what your life is like nearly as much as the thoughts upon which you choose to dwell. Hider later enrolled into the Master of Arts Program at the University of Toledo, Ohio. He majored in Philosophy with a strong minor in Psychology. From these studies evolved his technique of “The Art of Thought Dwelling to Obtain and Maintain Enduring Peace of Mind”. Based on that effort, Hider graduated at the top of his class, with honors. Seeking more personal freedom, Hider entered Law School at Santa Clara University, California. He was a trial attorney for eleven years in Merced California. He then ran for and was elected a Superior Court Judge in Merced County. During his tenure as a judge, Hider presided over civil and criminal cases touching every aspect of life and the law. Combining that rich and unique experience with his conclusions concerning the importance of controlling one’s thought dwelling, led to his authoring his highly acclaimed book, “Spiritual Healing-Making Peace with Your Past.” The book is based on the premise that “I alone am responsible for how I feel every conscious moment of my life.” The book is now in its second printing by Tate Publishing. In addition to his studies at the University of Cincinnati, Toledo University, and Santa Clara University, Hider has matriculated at Ohio State University, San Jose State University, and Stanford University. Hider has taught courses in mathematics, science, philosophy, and /or law at Merced Community College, Chapman College, and the University of San Francisco’s Master’s Program. After thirty years on the Bench, Hider recently retired and now devotes full time to public and motivational speaker.

SOPHIA DION

Whether she is performing live at the legendary Sundance Film Festival or taking the main stage at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) show, alternative soul vocalist and musician, Sophia Dion has only just begun to tap into her true potential. The 16-year-old Utah native, now living in Los Angeles, appeared at Sundance to perform at the world premiere of the Emmy-nominated movie, Girl Rising. The film tells the stories of young girls subjected to child slavery and arranged marriages featured narration by stars like Alicia Keys, Selena Gomez, and Cate Blanchett.

With a sound inspired by the likes of Joss Stone and KT Tunstall, Sophia’s original music explores themes familiar to all teenagers: relationships with parents and friends, dealing with bullies, and moving away from those closest to you. She recorded her first EP, Run Child, Run, in 2016. It was produced by Adrianne “AG” Gonzalez, who has produced music heard on television shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and Pretty Little Liars as well as the Vin Diesel movie, The Last Witch Hunter. In addition to performing live and preparing for a national tour in 2017, Sophia’s own music is being pitched for both television and film licensing.

Already notching up performances in cities like Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles, Sophia has made multiple appearances at NAMM, including a special opening show for well-known funk-rock band, Tower of Power. Even national music store chain, Guitar Center noticed Sophia, and invited her to appear in a special commercial the company shot as part of its social media marketing efforts. That video went on to amass more than 40-thousand views on YouTube.

When she isn’t working hard on her own music career, Sophia donates much of her time teaching instruments and music theory to young children. The classes offered through The Music Factory help cultivate an interest in music in children between the ages of four- and seven-years old. She also performs at benefits for Blue Star Connection, a Colorado-based non-profit that raises funds to purchase instruments for kids. All of this is in addition to her being a student at Orange County School of the Arts, which is one of the top three performing art schools in the United States. In her spare time, Sophia also enjoys relaxing at the beach, skiing, and hiking.

Sophia’s sponsors include AKG Acoustics, Bedell Guitars, Breedlove Guitars, G7th Capos, Capturing Couture, Digitech, Harman Audio, Journey Instruments, and Vocalist. Not only is Sophia the youngest artist to earn sponsorships with many of these companies, but several of them have also invited her to perform at trade shows to help demonstrate their products to attendees.

DIANA “DEXTER” DELMONTE

Diana is modern day mystic, author, presenter, and renowned animal communicator, featured on Web T.V. and radio.

She is a psychic, intuitive, medium for animals in spirit, and empath, and is sought for her expertise in behavioral problems and locating lost animals.

Diana is also a certified Kundalini yoga instructor, Remote Viewer, Reiki Master/teacher and spiritual healer, initiated in the Andean shaman tradition of Peru.

As an accomplished artist and educator residing in Los Angeles, she has taught art, yoga and meditation to thousands of children in schools throughout the city while showing children how to care for and communicate with animals.

She is a columnist for Whole Person magazine, a spiritual activist and animal advocate. A long time practitioner of Zen, Vipassana and Tibetan Buddhist meditation, she lives her life in the practice of Ahimsa, a Buddhist doctrine of refraining from harming any living being.

Diana has clients in Alaska, British Columbia, France, Spain, Norway, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Peru, India, Greece, England, and the United States, and has been professionally communicating with animals since 2000.

Diana has trained with Carol Gurney, Penelope Smith, and Jeri Ryan, founder of Assisi International Animal Institute.

Diana donates her services to rescue organization fundraisers, and is a member of The National Museum of Animals and Society, and Dharma Voices for Animals; two organizations dedicated to the welfare of all animals. Having compassion for all living beings, she maintains a vegan diet and way of life.

She lives in Los Angeles with her five felines, and is available for workshops, speaking engagements and private consultations.

Rev. Mary Linn Clarke, founder of the Inner Light Metaphysical Center since 1975, was raised in this philosophy. It was the only Metaphysical Center to be invited to be a member to the International Council of World Churches. She has done extensive study in this field under the late Dr. Enid Smith and Rev. Lillian Dee Johnson. She studied extensively at Harmonia College in St. Petersburg, Florida, as well as in Chesterfield, Indiana. Rev. Clarke is noted for her healing abilities, as well as her teaching in the development of Metaphysics and what it can do for your spiritual development; mentally, physically and spiritually. Currently Rev. Clarke resides in Ellenton, Florida, with her husband Rev. Thomas Clarke. They continue to guide and teach others this philosophy at various Metaphysical Centers in the area. Rev. Clarke enjoys helping others and hopes this book will provide spiritual enlightenment to all who read it.

Mary Linn’s facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cosmiccenterofspirituallight

Mary Linn is currently holding her weekly 10am Sunday Spiritualist Service at the Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light in Sarasota.