Our Team
Founder / Chair
Erin Purgason
Erin is the owner of Highland Canine Training, LLC, an industry-leading dog training and canine education business. After graduating in 2001 from Appalachian State University with a BS in Criminal Justice and a minor in sociology, Erin became a sworn law enforcement officer in North Carolina the following year. While serving in the Reidsville Police Department, she was presented with an Award of Merit for rescuing a disabled individual from their burning home. Erin’s wealth of expertise has helped train Police K9s and service dogs across the nation, in addition to time spent working with local rescue groups through Highland Canine’s Second Chance Program. She now leads Highland Canine Connect’s efforts to improve the community through canine connections.
Treasurer
Kim Holland
Born and raised in Iredell County, Kim graduated from Statesville High School as well as Liberty University with a Master’s in Business, and has worked in the healthcare industry for over two decades. Kim has been married to her husband for 25 years and they have two sons, as well a black Lab named Shadow (who grins every morning for a biscuit) and a chocolate Lab named Maddie (a rescue, who just wants to be loved). Kim loves to spend quality time with her family, whether it is going out on the lake, going camping, or just getting together. She has a passion for helping others and giving back to the community.
Secretary
Deb Livingood
Born in Berkeley, CA, Deb was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and spent 26 years in the Navy enjoying travelling around the world and living in far off places like Iceland, Wales and Japan. After retiring from the Navy and spending eight years in the corporate world, in 2017 she decided to attend Highland Canine Training’s Master Dog Training program to specialize in training service dogs. She has been training service dogs and helping families acquire their own service dogs since graduating from the program. Deb and Erin had a crazy idea to create a non-profit that could help people in the community connect with dogs, and Highland Canine Connect was created. She has been an active volunteer ever since.
Board Member
Susan Ervin
An Iredell County native, Susan is heavily invested in the local community and seeks every opportunity to serve it. For six years, she ran a successful private practice, and currently is the Attorney Advocate for the Guardian ad Litem program in Iredell and Rowan counties, allowing her to represent abused and neglected children. Susan has always had a heart for animals and is passionate about advocating for the undeserved. She has joined Highland Canine Connect because she believes passionately in the mission of the organization, with her strong desire to assist with education efforts and implementation of creative plans that will allow canines to help those in need.
Board Member
Kim Tatum
Kim moved to Statesville in 1989 from Newport, TN. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice shortly after moving here from Gardner Webb University. Kim met her husband, Buddy, shortly after she moved, and they have been married for 30 years. They have one son, a daughter in love, three grandsons, and seven god sons. Kim and Buddy currently have three dogs – Diesel, Wiggles, and Precious. All three are rescues. Diesel is what started Kim’s ‘obsession’ with rescuing, according to Buddy. She spends her free time with her grandson, transporting rescue animals to a better future, and helping Highland Canine Connect. Kim loves being a part of HCC – she loves what the organization stands for and the goals they strive to achieve.
Board Member
Nikki Meyer
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Nikki holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice. Drawn by warmer weather, she relocated to North Carolina, where she served as a sworn law enforcement officer for over 11.5 years. Passionate about dogs, she has helped puppy-raise for Highland Canine and is currently a proud dog mom to two: Kona, a self proclaimed diva and Scooter, my grumpy old man with a heart of gold.
Board Member
Sally Nix
Sally Nix is dedicated to making a difference. With a strong passion for community service and a talent for connecting people and ideas, Sally brings over 30 years of nonprofit experience and enthusiasm to the Highland Canine Connect board.
Her life was transformed by her incredible service dog, Jon Snow, who is not only her constant companion but also her motivation to advocate for the life-changing benefits of service dogs. Together, they form a dynamic duo on a mission to inspire hope and connection through education, advocacy, and meaningful outreach. Jon Snow has deepened Sally’s understanding of the transformative power of the human-canine bond, inspiring her to raise awareness and improve accessibility for individuals with invisible disabilities. Their partnership demonstrates how the right connection can change lives in extraordinary ways.
Florida Chapter
Program Director, Florida
Nancy Horbert
Nancy was born in Kingston, NY, and currently lives in the Tampa, FL area. She received an Associate Degree in Business Management from the University of South Carolina. She has been married to her husband, Everett for 21 years – they have a daughter, Brittany Mojica, who works for Highland Canine Training as their trainer in the Tampa area. Having provided pet therapy with her own dogs for over a decade, Nancy has seen first-hand how pet therapy changes lives. Now that she has retired, she is excited to use her non-profit experience and love for pet therapy to start a branch of Highland Canine Connect in Florida.