Craig Brestrup

Craig Brestrup worked for 20 years in the public sector of the mental health profession, first as a psychotherapist and later as CEO of mental health clinics in Texas and California. He has been executive director of five nonprofit organizations since 1980.

In 1989, he received a Ph.D. in medical humanities, with a concentration in medical and environmental ethics and the philosophy of nature, from the Institute for the Medical Humanities at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

In 1994, he left mental health for animal protection, becoming executive director of the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, an organization with major programs in three areas: wildlife rehabilitation, animal advocacy, and companion animals (shelter and vet clinic). He published a book, Disposable Animals, in 1997 that was a study of animals and culture, emphasizing the plight of companion animals, millions of whom are killed in animal shelters annually. Subsequently, he became head of Fossil Rim Wildlife Center near Glen Rose, Texas. Fossil Rim is a 1,500-acre wildlife conservation and education center inclusive of commercial divisions (i.e., restaurant, gift shop, bed-and-breakfasts).

Craig is on the board of the Association of Sanctuaries, the national accrediting organization for animal sanctuaries.

In addition to administering nonprofits, he has provided consultation on organizational development issues, fundraising, and grant proposal writing services, and has served on boards of directors of social service organizations and the United Way. He currently is working on a book and consulting with nonprofits on fund development and management issues.