At Urban Pooch’s Foundation, we champion the belief that mental health is a right, not a privilege. Since our inception in 2023, we’ve been dedicated to breaking down barriers and making mental health resources easily accessible. Join our cause in eliminating stigma and providing financial aid.
Foundational Principles

Our Mission
Urban Pooch’s Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to providing mental health resources to those in need and do not have access.

Our Vision
Become the go-to provider of mental health resources.

Our Values
Access: make mental health resources easily available to Canadians.
Financial aid: cover mental health resources’ costs for all Canadians.
Stigma elimination: be a thought leader for Canadians in mental health and mental illness.
Our History
Urban Pooch’s Foundation was founded in 2023. Since then, we have been working to make a significant impact in mental health and helping those suffering from mental illness.
Key Accomplishments
2023
Urban Pooch’s Foundation was founded.
2024
Began the first anonymous, judgement free social for people suffering with mental illness.
Obtained registration as a charity with the Canada Revenue Agency.
Our Team

Joel Werner
Founder, Director
Joel has a wealth of experience in strategic marketing and financial services, bringing a unique blend of expertise that will significantly enhance Urban Pooch’s Foundation’s outreach and engagement efforts. His background in managing high-impact marketing campaigns and fostering strong client relationships aligns perfectly with our mission to support mental health and well-being.
Throughout his career, Joel has demonstrated a remarkable ability to develop and implement strategic marketing initiatives that drive engagement and deliver measurable results. His leadership in creating awareness campaigns for major brands has consistently resulted in increased sales, brand recognition, and customer loyalty. This experience positions him to effectively promote Urban Pooch’s Foundation’s initiatives.
Joel’s expertise extends to the financial sector, where he has excelled in roles that require a deep understanding of financial markets and customer service. His commitment to client-focused strategies and financial acumen will be invaluable in managing the foundation’s resources and ensuring our support services are both effective and accessible.
Additionally, Joel’s dedication to mental health advocacy is reflected in his volunteer work with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. His hands-on experience in engaging with patients and supporting their reintegration into the community underscores his commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health issues.
At Urban Pooch’s Foundation, Joel is committed to leveraging his marketing and financial expertise to enhance our mental health initiatives. His strategic vision and proven track record in driving awareness and engagement will help expand our programs, improve access to essential resources, and create a lasting impact on the communities we serve.
With his diverse skill set and unwavering dedication to mental health, Joel is poised to lead Urban Pooch’s Foundation toward greater heights, ensuring we continue to provide vital support and resources to those in need.

Alan Chin
Director
Alan brings a remarkable background in growth marketing and user engagement. With a proven track record at PayPal, where his initiatives helped grow the active global user base from 380 million to over 400 million, Alan’s expertise in developing and executing innovative strategies will be invaluable to our mission.
At PayPal, Alan’s work in optimizing user signups and driving product adoption directly aligns with Urban Pooch’s Foundation’s goal of expanding access to mental health resources. His ability to boost the US prospect to signup rate by 5% and increase the signup to activation rate by 3% demonstrates his talent for creating effective engagement strategies. This expertise will be instrumental in promoting our services, ensuring more individuals benefit from the financial aid we offer.
Alan’s leadership in managing substantial budgets and cross-functional teams will enhance our operational efficiency. His success in scaling paid search campaigns and developing high-impact user engagement initiatives will help us reach a broader audience, increasing awareness and support for our cause. Alan’s strategic approach will be crucial in driving donations and expanding our financial aid programs to meet the growing demand for mental health resources.
Alan’s dedication to mental health advocacy and his passion for creating supportive, engaging environments align perfectly with our foundation’s mission. His experience in building user-centric strategies will help us enhance our outreach and impact, ensuring that those in need receive the mental health support they deserve.
With his extensive experience and commitment to making a positive difference, Alan is poised to lead Urban Pooch’s Foundation in its mission to provide comprehensive mental health support and resources to those who need it most.

Derek Novak
Director
Derek brings a wealth of experience and a passion for mental health advocacy to Urban Pooch’s Foundation. With a strong background in corporate customer relations and team leadership, Derek is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our foundation’s initiatives, ensuring that we provide the best possible support to those in need.
In his previous roles at Medavie Blue Cross, Derek led numerous projects that streamlined communication and policy management, directly benefiting clients through improved support and training. His strategic approach and commitment to process improvement have consistently resulted in significant enhancements in service delivery. These skills align perfectly with Urban Pooch’s Foundation’s mission to provide comprehensive mental health resources.
Derek’s experience in developing and implementing client action plans, coupled with his proven ability to foster strong client relationships, will be instrumental in advancing our foundation’s goals. His work in creating standardized training tools and protocols demonstrates his dedication to improving knowledge retention and ensuring high-quality service. This focus on education and support is crucial for the success of our initiatives, which aim to make mental health resources more accessible to those who need them most.
At Urban Pooch’s Foundation, Derek is committed to championing mental health as a fundamental right. He aims to expand our reach and impact by improving access to the crucial mental health resources our foundation provides. His ability to lead teams and manage complex projects will be vital in driving our initiatives forward.
With his extensive experience and unwavering dedication, Derek is poised to lead Urban Pooch’s Foundation in making a tangible difference in the lives of those struggling with mental illness. His strategic vision and hands-on approach ensure that we continue to break down barriers and provide the support and resources necessary for mental health and well-being.

