FOUNDER

Charles Canavan is the founder and president of Four-Legged Fliers, inc., and has piloted four animal rescue journeys as well. Canavan is currently an airline pilot for the Delta Airlines regional company known as Endeavor Air, and lives in New York, New York. Canavan and his family own two rescue dogs named Hendrix and Ruby, and serve as a shining example as to how positive an impact rescue animals bring to a family.

Eric Lemonides plays a very significant role in the operation of Four-Legged Fliers, and has piloted two of the Four-Legged Fliers journeys thus far. You may recognize Lemonides’ mighty Beechcraft Bonanza that he not only piloted on two of the journeys, but also lent to other pilots to carry out rescue missions of numerous dogs in need of rescue. Lemonides’ not only proved to be a valued member of the Four-Legged Fliers family through skilled piloting and aircraft ownership, but he also donated gift certificates for his very popular restaurant Almond to help raise money for the Four-Legged Fliers cause. Located in Bridgehampton New York, and Boca Raton, Florida, a very fine dining experience awaits every restaurant goer and Lemonides’ friendly face may be there as well! Lemonides and his partner are the proud owners of two rescue dogs named Playdoh and Stewie.

BOARD MEMBER

Brian La Belle is a valued board member and pilot for the Four-Legged Fliers family. La Belle’s 2008 Cirrus SR-22 Turbo commands attention with its sharp looks and bright red livery, and can be seen in photos from the first two Four-Legged Fliers trips. La Belle and Canavan were introduced to one another by the late East Hampton Aviation Association president Kent Feurring when the first Four-Legged Fliers journey was in the infant phase of planning. Having prior experience rescuing animals, and an innate urge to fly, La Belle immediately volunteered both himself and his Cirrus to rescue fifteen puppies from certain death in South Carolina. Without La Belle’s selflessness, many animal lives may not have been saved. Brian and his wife are parents to a one year old son and also have two rescue dogs named Summer and Buddy as well as a rescue cat named Hudson.

Jan Brentjens now has two Four-Legged Fliers journeys under his belt, and is eager to continue accepting larger roles and challenges within the organization. Brentjens is a flight instructor, and soon to be airline pilot with a powerful love for animals. Many pilots shied away from the very long journeys that were brought to the attention of Four-Legged Fliers, but Brentjens never thought twice about accepting the honor of saving eighteen homeless dogs over the span of two journeys, and copious amounts of flight time. Brentjens and his family have welcomed two rescue dogs named Katara and Ajax into their home thus far, and will soon have a third rescue dog as well.

Matthew Pellegrino has one very long Four-Legged Fliers journey to his credit, after he courageously accompanied his flight instructor Jan Brentjens on the Santa Fe, New Mexico trip. Pellegrino is a commercially rated pilot and soon to be flight instructor. Aspiring to be an airline pilot some day, this University of Kentucky alum is flying often, and working tirelessly as a ramp supervisor for United Airlines. Pellegrino and his family have had the privilege of welcoming a rescue golden retriever into their home named (Happy) Camper.

Dr. George Dempsey is not only a well known doctor in the medical community, but a skilled private pilot. Dempsey is the proud owner of a Cessna 182 Skylane, the very Skylane that trekked roundtrip across the beautiful skies of the continental U.S.A. from Long Island, New York to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Having his first Four-Legged Fliers journey accomplished, Dempsey has stated that he is eager to continue to be involved with the help and rescue of more homeless animals.

David Reinbach is a local pilot in our beloved East Hampton Airport (HTO) community, and proud owner of a beautiful Piper Cherokee. Reinbach is a dear friend of Dr. George Dempsey and the two of them made the round trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico together to assist in the rescue of eight homeless dogs.