Giving Paws: Having a Service Dog for a Hidden Disability

Martha Thompson is an author, whose first book, THE OXYGEN MASK RULE: How My Battle With Anorexia Taught Me to Survive, was a Finalist in the Women's Issues category of the 2012 International Book Awards. Martha is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Drama, and worked as an actor for twenty years with a variety of companies, including John Houseman's Acting Company and Joseph Papp's Public Theatre in New York, as well as many regional theatre companies. She also appeared in national commercials and sit-coms. When illness forced her to retire from acting, she found inspiration from her dog Gus to explore animal related career options. This led her to the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, where she became the Coordinator of Volunteer Programs, and was responsible for writing and editing a weekly newsletter called "ZOONOOZ." Martha lives in Los Angeles with her husband, 3 dogs, 5 quail and 4 turtles.