Donna Jean Gerrier is a retired speech language pathologist who has a passion for the performing arts. She received her BA in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from the University of North Dakota and her MA in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Western Washington State University. She also attended the London Academy of Dramatic Arts in England. Her dedication to the arts was recognized when she received the Canadian Governor General’s Medal for classical singing. Gerrier is passionate about ending violence towards animals and facilitated a pet-loss support group for many years. Gerrier discusses the human animal bond connection and provides online resources in her debut book, “Eggs on the Wall . . . For the Love of Family.” Gerrier states “an animal touches you deep within your soul where no human being can possibly reach or trod. Their loyalty is more valuable than guilted gold.” She also strongly advocates for woman’s rights and empowerment through the promotion of stronger laws regarding their safety and rights. Her strong convictions and fierce determination, inherited from her parents, assisted her to survive a near-fatal automobile accident, which resulted in the severing of her left arm at the elbow. Following seven months in the hospital and two years of rehabilitation to learn how to walk and write again, she fought relentlessly not to be placed in a nursing home and won the long and determined battle.