Sheila V. Madrak PhD, aka Doc Mad, is an associate professor of biology and an avid animal welfare advocate. Doc completed a bachelor of science in animal science at the University of Vermont. Doc Mad earned a master of science in the biological sciences from Florida Atlantic University, researching the early migratory behavior of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Her next step found her landlocked where she spent time as an outreach manager for two animal welfare groups in Flagstaff, AZ. While these positions were interim between graduate programs, they were fundamental experiences in shaping Doc's devotion to animal welfare and shelter support through rescue. An opportunity to complete a doctoral degree in conservation ecology brought Doc Mad to San Diego, where she researched movement and behavior of green sea turtles in San Diego Bay. And now she is a tenured professor of biology at San Diego Miramar College.

Doc Mad founded Mad Mutts with her children as a way to give back to the community and to contribute in a small way in helping to mitigate the burden of our public shelters. As is so often quoted in animal rescue, "Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever." (Karen Davison)