Board of Directors & Board of Advisors

Dahlia Canes was born in Havana, Cuba and was one of the first Cuban exiles in Miami, FL. She made and makes her home there. She has traveled extensively and is an award winning writer, concentrating mostly on animal issues. She has been working with the firm of Gregory A. Moore, P.A., as a Paralegal with trial work experience, for over 30 years. She was a board member for Unity Coalition. She is an active animal advocate and “hands on” rescuer. At this time, she is focusing on animal cruelty issues, legislative matters and Breed Specific Legislation. She is the Director and Founder for the Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation, where she worked on having the 33 year old ban removed and finally on October 1, 2023 it was eradicated.

The challenge continued in the Miami-Dade county commissioners’ forum. Most recently she was instrumental in the filing of a civil lawsuit against Miami-Dade county to remove the inhumane “Miami pit bull ban”

Dahlia Canes has been involved in political matters from a very young age. As a graduate of Hialeah High in 1971, she served as Student Government President and was the only student to serve on the Board of Governors for Florida national University.  Ms. Canes worked as a hair and platform stylist for many years, including working with the Llongera Brothers in Spain. Her position in animal advocacy continues to pave the way for change in future legislation. Ms. Canes was instrumental in the defeat of the 2012 Fl. Senate’s 1276 Bill, which if passed, would have allowed BSL in Florida.  She spearheaded the fight in the Florida House and Senate Legislation with the SB1322 and HB997.

She has made her position on anti-dog fighting loud and clear!

“Breed Specific Legislation is an inhumane tool, used to deal with man’s destruction of their own fears. It targets innocent animals, that were not put on this earth to be judged by us.” – Dahlia Canes

Darlene Boitel-Johnson was born and raised in Miami, FL. She is married to Eric Johnson and has two boys and three bully dogs. She graduated in 1991 with an Associate’s degree in Interior Design and has been working with Michael Wolk Design Associates as Purchasing and Installations Manager for the past 14 years. Her love for the breed came to be, when at the age of 15 she was given a Staffie, which changed her life forever. From that day forward she has remained faithful to the breed. She was there in 1989 protesting for “Pitbulls” not to be banned. And now, 30+ years later is happy to join forces with MCABSL to “End the Injustice.”

Virginia Cao is a native Floridian and other than a three year move to Minnesota for graduate school, has lived here all her life. She has been married for the past twenty-two years and has two boys (Christopher-18 ½ who is in the Marine Corps and Brayden- 14 going into highschool). The two beautiful “girls” in her life is 7 ½ year old Mimi a Cavalier King Charles and a 3 year old Pringles an American Pitbull Terrier. A nurse by trade she was a past nursing instructor and presently works in Labor and delivery. Since acquiring Pringles she has experienced the “challenges/struggles” of owning a bully breed especially in Miami Dade County and realized the need to get involved in improving the Pitbull reputation here and across the world. Once she found out about MCABSL it was a no brainer in becoming a volunteer and board member to help with the cause. Virginia strongly believes in the saying “Unless you’ve owned one (a Pitbull) you will never understand.” MCABSL has helped her become a passionate advocate via events, social media and on a personal level.

Kelly D. Matacena was raised in Palmetto, Florida, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology from the University of Florida in 2009 and is a licensed financial and insurance professional.  Following undergraduate studies, she moved to Key West then eventually settled in Miami in 2012, where she works in commercial risk management with BB&T Insurance.  Her passion for animals has been prevalent since childhood, rescuing everything from mice and birds to dogs and horses.  Working with colleagues statewide, she has directly managed the rescue and adoption of many dogs, focusing on pit bulls.  Her bond with the breed stems from her first pit companion, Lexus Marie, currently an 11 year old red nosed therapy dog who has traveled with her significantly, visiting the sick, coaching elementary aged children to read and spending time with those in their last days in Hospice centers.  Through volunteer work as a therapy team with Lexus Marie, Kelly has seen firsthand, the immense good done by these animals and the change that can be made to the hearts of those initially unsure.  Kelly feels blessed to be part of the MCABSL team and is confident that the dedication and hard work of the group and its supporters will continue to result in more effective legislation and ultimately worldwide community acceptance and protection of all breeds.

Denice was born and raised in Pennsylvania. She now lives in Miami. At home she takes care of a feral cat colony as well as her three dogs and an indoor cat. Leah, Bruno and Shela are the names of her dogs. Bruno is an American Pitbull Terrier Leah and Shela are Rottweiler mixes. She also has two birds Pokey and Aloha and a cat named Happy. Denice got involved with Miami Coalition about twelve years ago, she attended an event and saw them there. Her sister Lisa had mentioned them and had recently joined as a member. Today Denice is a board member acting as director of marketing for the Coalition and it is something she is very proud of . Her goal in Miami Coalition is to get the Hideous ordinance Banning pit bulls lifted. She is very honored to be a part of this organization and to be aliated with it’s other members. “Everyone works together for the greater good to see to it that pit bulls or pit bull like dogs are treated with compassion and fairness and we look forward to the end of the ban”

Luis is a native of Miami where he was born and raised. He moved to Gainesville in 2013 and completed his bachelors and juris doctorate degrees at the University of Florida. In January, 2014 he adopted, Lori. In May 22, 2016 he fell 50 feet and suffered life threatening injuries and Lori played a role in the search team that found him. He returned home to Miami to recover with Lori constantly by his side. As it has been since. Lori officially became his emotional support dog in 2017. Luis practices law in Gainesville, Florida and intends to use his legal capacity to overturn this illegal ban in Miami Florida from the outside in. He loves to engage in discussion and talk about the differences between emotional support dogs and service animals to rebut the common misconception that exists between the two.

Raquel Cruz, is the mother of three boys and she was born and raised in Miami, Florida.  Ms. Cruz graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Public Administration and has dedicated her life to public and military service.  Ms. Cruz is a disabled combat Gulf War veteran and the first and former Enforcement Manager for Miami Dade Animal Services.  Ms. Cruz reorganized the entire enforcement division for Animal Services, making it respectable with employees dedicated to helping the animals enforcing animal cruelty laws efficiently and to the extent the law dictates.  She spearheaded the re-write for the Miami Dade County Code of Ordinances Chapter 5 Animals and Fowls but her endless fight continues for the repeal of the pit bull ban.  “Today my commitment lies with the advocating of saving our pit bulls and to educate our public as to the true nature of who these bullies really are.”

Jen Watson is the President of Pit Sisters Rescue in Jacksonville, FL.  She also serves on the board of Clearly Jacksonville and is a Regional Director of MCABSL.  Jen resides with her 5-year-old daughter and 4 pit bulls, including Nala, an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Registered Therapy Dog.

Guillermo Del Solar is an animal rights advocate and is currently volunteering as Florida District Leader for the Humane Society of the United States and volunteers in  different capacities with the Broward County Animal Care shelter.

He has also volunteered for the past few years with the Walk for the Animals annual fundraising event at The Humane Society of Broward County, where he used to work.

Guillermo is also a Marketing professional who

has worked with reputable companies in the consumer products and franchising industries.

Guillermo is particularly fond of  dogs and lives in Pembroke Pines, FL with his companion and friend,  2-year old Pomeranian mix “Capri”.

Franco Sicheri was born in Lima Peru in 1984, where his father trained and showed Peruvian Paso horses. He was always passionate about animals and the outdoors but it wasnt until the age of 17 when he was given his first Pit bull puppy that he became interested in training dogs. Her name was Nana, a beautiful APBT. Nana quickly became a great ambassador for the breed around the neighborhood and neighbors quickly took notice to her happy go lucky demeanor. Soon neighbors began to ask if Franco could help them with their dogs to be as social and well behaved as his Pit bull, and he agreed gladly.

Sadly Nana was stolen one day by someone in a dark colored late 90’s model Ford explorer . In his search for his.Dog Franco began to reach out to local rescue groups and shelters where he began to work with their more problematic dogs. Over time he became well known in the rescue Community for his work with aggressive Dogs successfully rehabilitating and helping place dogs that otherwise would have been put to sleep. In 2007 Franco founded Balanced Paws a dog training and rehabilitating company. He still works with many local rescues .

Although Pilar was born in Havana, Cuba, she and her family arrived in Miami as exiles in 1969. Pilar, her parents and her brother immediately moved to California. Living in California at the age of seven is when Pilar’s love for animals first began; a neighborhood Boy sold Pilar a kitten for 25 cents.  Pilar named the kitten Mily, and Mily lived to the age of 15. When Pilar graduated from North Hollywood High School in 1980, she began attending Los Angeles Valley College, where she began to work in the nursing campus.That was the beginning of her 30 year involvement in the medical administration field. Pilar moved with her two small children to Florida in 1988 and lived  in Hialeah up until about a year ago.Pilar became involved with MCABSL shortly after her daughter brought home a pitbull  puppy  named Tank.  After adopting Tank, Pilar wanted to find support from people who were also trying to put an End to breed specific  legislation and  also become more educated about the legislation in order to end the discrimination. “ Being a Human Rights Advocate for many years, I will not sit back and let dogs be discriminated  because of their breed “ Pilar currently lives in Cutler Bay with her husband, Ivan, and her two dogs. With the help of several rescue organizations, there is no stray that crosses Pilar’s path that is left behind. Her beloved Tank, an APBT passed in 2020.

Odhra came from Venezuela to the United States in 2003 after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Since then, she has gained valuable knowledge and expertise through many different tasks of public and private accounting, as well as client service and administrative support. She is currently enrolled as a Certified Public Accountant and is part of a well-recognized CPA firm in town. Her strongest attribute is the eagerness to learn and commitment to work but it is also the passion she puts in everything that she does. She is the mother of two adorable dogs, a Beagle that likes to eat a lot and a rescued Labrador that acts like a lapdog, but she is also the proud aunt of a Pitty named Chelsea. Odhra joined MCABSL as volunteer in 2012 to campaign on favor of the referendum that would eliminate the long standing breed specific legislation in Miami Dade. Her main motivation was to provide Chelsea with freedom, safety, and a better life but, sadly, the repeal remained in place. Because of Chelsea, and because she is simply a dog lover, Odhra continues promoting the breed and looking after all dogs well being.

Born in New Bedford, MA to Portuguese immigrants he graduated in 1992 from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with BS in Sports Management. He has worked in the health and fitness industry on full or part time basis for over 25 years. He is currently the National Director of Logistics and Transportation for the Sigma Plastics Group. His wife Dara and him reside in Royal Palm Beach, FL with their Bully Kai. He became a Bully Breed advocate shortly after losing both of his 18 year old Jack Russell Terriers. Promising himself that he would have “perfectly” behaved dogs on next adventure, he spent a little over a year researching and studying dog behavior and training. His research lead him to many professional studies regarding “Pit Bull Type Dogs”.Much of the information he was now reading was very contrary to the information he had previously “learned” through the more conventional means, the media. The information he was finding so contradicted the information he thought he knew, that he brought it to the attention of his wife and step daughter. As a family they decided to learn on their own . So they spent the better part of the next year volunteering at local shelters and rescues. They intentionally directed their focus toward  Pit Bull type dogs. What they found was not only amazing but life changing.   They found them to be some of the most well tempered and good natured dogs to work with. They shortly thereafter adopted Kai from a friend and his journey into rescue and advocacy exploded.  They take Kai to many different social outings to help educate the public. He has become a regular fixture at local stores and parks.  He has become a bit of a local celebrity in our community. Michael and Kai continue their educational work while helping local rescues whether it be with transport, walking, home transitions or financially.” He has joined the MCABSL team to fight BSL and continue to spread the awareness.

Devilyn is the most generous, loving soul when it comes to animals. She started her journey many years ago with one dog named “Ruger”. She is not only the Founder/Director of “Rugaz Rescue” Formally “Hernando’s APBT Rescue” but also on the Board of Directors for many Non-Profit local organizations. She has dedicated her life to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing her Bully friends, and educating the public on Pit Bull Awareness. She is a Certified Animal Control Officer and on the Board of Directors for Alpha Society Therapy Dogs. She majors in Dog Behavior and teaching continuing education courses on The American Pit Bull Terrier and BSL Education Groups. Devilyn has even implemented Home Inspections at the SPCA for American Pit Bull Terrier’s. Her utmost concern is for each one of these dogs safety, health and happiness now and for the future preservation of the breed. She simply lives for the faces and smiles she sees on those dogs faces everyday and the smiles on the family’s faces when they bring home their new family member. The joy of knowing that, no matter what, at least a few will be saved and make it. She is an asset to those dogs who are so often given up on. They are lucky to cross paths with her, and she states she is more lucky to have met and been loved by them.

Maria Garcia was born in Havana, Cuba and came to the US when she was 4 y/0.  At one year, her Dad had her sitting on horses already..:) She attended Palm Springs Elementary School in Hialeah, Fl. and started rescuing animals since then. She even had a monkey, mean geese, lots of rabbits, dog, turtle, bird…during that time.  Her mom was from Spain, her Dad Cuban. She has a a  son, Jorge, who lives in Miami.  She has in her rescue, Noah’s Ark, 29 dogs, not all for adoption, birds, sugar gliders, confiscated ex fighting roosters, chickens  horses and mini horses. Her hobbies are riding her horses, competing them, training mini horses for therapy, writing, and her passions are animals and teaching…Her favorite breed is the Pit Bull and love working with them. (training them). She’s lived in Miami most of her life with the exception of time she lived in England with the Department of Defense work in military base schools and in Puerto Rico a few years after finishing college bachelor’s degree. She teaches and has her PHD in psychology. She is determined to fight BSL and defend the Pit Bull breed in all its glory.

Jorge L. Guerra Jr. is the president and chief executive officer of Real Estate Sales Force (RESF) and has been responsible for the firm’s strategic direction and growth since its inception in 2005. Guerra’s extensive experience as a former agent, the founder, and owner of a thriving brokerage, an association executive, and a highly regarded keynote speaker has equipped him to remain on top of emerging issues and trends impacting the future of real estate.

A dynamic industry leader serving as 2018 President for the Miami Association of Realtor’s Residential Board of Governors, 2018 Florida Top 50 Broker Vice chair in addition to 2017 Vice Chair for the National Association of Realtor’s Emerging Business and Technology forum, it should come as no surprise that Guerra’s brokerage is leading the revolution in today’s evolving market – betting on technology, social media, branding, and training have paid off tremendously for RESF and the results speak for themselves, the firm has expanded to over 450 agents with offices throughout South Florida.

Recognized as a forward-thinking real estate expert as it pertains to digital marketing – Jorge has served as a keynote speaker at a number of national and international high-profile industry events that include: Miami Rock the Market Florida Realtors Convention, National Association of Realtors (NAR) Convention, NAR’s Tech Edge, Xplode Conference, NAHREP National Convention, Inman Connect Miami, Inman Connect NY and Imocionate in Spain.