President & Founder
Amber Bowen, DVM, MS, CVA, CVMMP
Dr. Bowen has responded to multiple large scale disasters, including the 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires, 2019 Russian River flood and Kincade Fire, 2021 Walbrigde and LNU Lightning Complex Fires, and 2022 Sonoma County Flooding. Since the formation of Sonoma CART, Dr. Bowen works tirelessly to integrate local volunteers with county emergency response by providing training to local animal disaster volunteers and organize the sheltering, veterinary care, and evacuation of all species of animals during each disaster. Dr. Amber continues to be immensely proud of the organization and its volunteers for coming together to aid animals during disaster.
Dr. Bowen grew up locally in Sonoma County. She completed her undergraduate degree and Master's degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She completed her doctorate of veterinary medicine at UC Davis. She was a co-founder of International Veterinary Outreach (IVO), a non-profit organization that provides veterinary care to animals in need in underserved communities and graduated from UC Davis Veterinary Medical School in 2014. Dr. Bowen is owner of an integrative equine veterinary practice located in Santa Rosa, CA, and sits on several boards serving animal welfare.
Email: amber@sonomacart.org
Alicia Benson - Veterinarian
Raised in the East Bay Area, Alicia grew up riding Arabians and was an avid rider in the show ring, on the trail for endurance competitions and on a drill team. Alicia graduated from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and was deeply involved in many clubs and organizations. She has been a large animal veterinarian in Sonoma county for a year and had her first encounter with Sonoma CART during the 2020 fire season. Alicia assisted Sonoma CART as a veterinarian at the fairgrounds, horse park and in the field with the search and rescue teams.
Email: veterinary@sonomacart.org
Sahar Bartlett - Hotline
Sahar Bartlett is a life-long Bay Area equestrian. In years past she has shown Western pleasure horses extensively. Currently, she enjoys the disciplines of trail riding, drill team, color guard and an occasional jumping lesson on her ex-reining horse, Sammy. Sahar is the vice president of the Sonoma County Horse Council and on the boards of Bay Area Barns and Trails and SERRA Horse Rescue. She is also an active member of the Petaluma Riding and Driving Club, Novato Horsemen, Marin Horse Council and a founding member of Marin Stables and Trails. Sahar is a retired federal court reporter and lives with her husband, Joel, in Santa Rosa on their ranch with their seven horses and two dogs. They spend the bulk of their time riding and staying actively involved with the Sonoma County equestrian community.
Email: hotline@sonomacart.org
Laurie Waissman - Marketing
Laurie Waissman joined the Sonoma CART team to manage marketing and communications. She has a background in online marketing and content management and her current roster of clients are all within the equestrian community. Laurie spent her youth trail riding an Arabian mare around Woodside, CA, whom she shared with her mom. It was great preparation for the riding vacations they shared as adults; which inspired her to volunteer on an equestrian safari in South Africa.
Email: marketing@sonomacart.org