Director, Comfort Dog Project & Education

Francis is the Director of the Comfort Dog Project and the Education Program. Francis graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Psychology. As a child, Francis was severely injured in a bomb blast which left him blind. His unique perspective has made him highly effective at helping others to regain their lives after severe trauma.

Francis’s exceptional work with BIG FIX was acknowledged when he was named International Education Champion by the World Rabies Day Awards. In 2024, he earned a Canine Intervention Specialist Certificate from the University of Denver School of Social Work.

Social Worker & Animal Welfare Team Manager

Laura serves as the Comfort Dog Project’s Social Worker and is the Manager of the Animal Welfare Team. Laura earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences from Makerere University and has extensive experience as a mental health counselor, with a focus on trauma counseling.

Her work experience includes serving as a counselor at Palabek Refugee Settlement. Her emphasis has been on counseling victims of GBV (gender-based violence) and sexual assault and providing psychosocial support to formerly abducted persons and war trauma survivors.

Lead Dog Trainer

Filda is the Comfort Dog Project’s Lead Dog Trainer, an Animal Welfare Officer, and a member of the Education Team. Filda is a graduate of the first Comfort Dog Project class in 2015, and her natural ability to communicate with dogs and to teach others has been widely recognized. She is one of Africa’s only Certified Evaluators for the Good Canine Citizen Program administered by the American Kennel Club (Evaluator #101763). 

She was also honored as a Silent Hero of the Month by Silent Heroes Foundation and was featured on the BBC series 100 Women (2019).  

Lead Resident Veterinarian Doctor

Dr. Godra is a skilled veterinarian with 3 years of experience and currently serves as Lead Veterinarian at The BIG FIX Uganda. She graduated from Makerere University in May 2022 and joined The BIG FIX the following month. Since then, she has played a key role in overseeing veterinary care at our hospital and mobile field clinics, leading rabies prevention efforts, and mentoring junior staff. Dr. Godra is deeply committed to improving animal welfare and public health across Northern Uganda.

Resident Veterinarian Doctor

Dr. Simon is a compassionate veterinarian with over two years of experience in both small and large animal care. A graduate of Makerere University, he joined The BIG FIX Uganda in July 2023, where he now plays a vital role in delivering lifesaving veterinary services across Northern Uganda.

Prior to joining The BIG FIX, he volunteered at Kampala Veterinary Surgery for 1.5 years. His dedication to animal welfare and public health is matched by his commitment to learning and community service.

Resident Veterinarian Doctor

Dr. Lawrence is an experienced veterinarian with 4 years of professional practice and a strong background in both companion and production animal care. He graduated from Makerere University and has been a dedicated member of the veterinary team at The BIG FIX Uganda for the past 3 years.

Before joining The BIG FIX, he worked as a freelance vet, gaining broad experience in animal health and management. Dr. Lawrence is committed to advancing animal welfare and delivering high-quality care in communities across Northern Uganda.