1. L
istening to the traumatic experi-
ences of victims who have been
sexually assaulted and offering
them comfort during their time of need
is both courageous and inspirational. As
a victim assistance coordinator, Andrea
Lockhart Cardona deals with these situ-
ations on a daily basis with the help
from one of her four-legged friends, Squiggly.
“We utilize service dog partners to assist in building a bridge
of trust between the victims and the advocates; the children
immediately trust the dogs,” she explains.
Cardona founded Winter Haven-based FLA Four Legged
Advocates (FLA FLA) in 2005 to help child, teen and adult vic-
tims of sexual assault and other crimes build their cases in the
legal system. Often, victims of sexual assault are afraid to talk
to victim assistance coordinators and law enforcement officials.
However, by having a service dog present, victims immediately
trust the animal and feel the love and support that the canine
offers. The dog attends all meetings and court appearances with
the victim and gives reassurance during the trying legal process.
“There are numerous studies that show the benefits of human
and animal interaction,” Cardona says. “Therapy dogs are used
in hospitals and nursing homes to benefit their human counter-
parts. FLA FLA is just another example of that benefit; we use
service dogs in the criminal justice system.”
FLA FLA uses five career-changed, seeing-eye canines and count-
less volunteers to smooth the path for victims in any way possible.
Andrea makes it her mission to help these victims by referring them
to counseling, assisting in court and providing information about
the legal process, to ensure that they can become survivors. She
also gives back to her community by working with local schools
and the local Red Cross chapter to
raise awareness of the long-term
effects of sexual assault and rape.
To learn more about FLA FLA
and its invaluable service
to the community, visit
www.FLA-FLA.org.
(Left) e-mailed Andrea for
caption (Right) Andrea
Cardona, ’03, shared the
spotlight with service
dog Jessica at the 2010
Black & Gold Gala.
20 www.ucfalumni.comPEGASUS F WINTER 2010
W
ith the tremendous commitment
she has shown to UCF and the
Orlando community, few people
know that Stephanie Koffler learned the value
of hard work from the training she received
in modern dance and ballet during high school.
Koffler has shown her dedication to UCF by the ef-
forts she has made to give back to the university and
the legacy she has left behind.
“Throughout my tenure at UCF, a common thread
has consistently surfaced in every organization I was
a part of: a conviction to inspire,” she says. “I made
my best effort to inspire students to be well rounded
and to think of others as they embark on
their unique college experience.”
Koffler’s motivation to get involved on
campus was propelled by her experience
as a member of the Student Government
Association’s Student Body President’s
Advisory Council Program (SBPAC). There, she
discovered a desire to guide students to realize
their full potential and take advantage of everything
UCF has to offer. As
an advisor to SBPAC,
Koffler enriched the
lives of new students
and allowed them to
develop into the lead-
ers they are today.
As a member of the
President’s Leadership
C o u n c i l ( P L C ) ,
Stephanie had the
honor of serving both
SHINING
KNIGHTS
Each year, the UCF Alumni Association recognizes some special people
who have dedicated themselves to their university and to others. Meet
threeoutstandingrepresentativesofourUCFfamily. BY SASHA DOOKHOO
Stephanie
Koffler,’10
DISTINGUISHED
STUDENT
AndreaLockhart
Cardona,‘03
COMMUNITY
SERVICE

2. 21www.ucfalumni.com WINTER 2010 F PEGASUS
A
true Knight is one who reaches for the stars
and encourages others to do the same. As
a UCF leader and benefactor, Lawrence
“Larry” Chastang portrays the UCF spirit in his
efforts to give back to his alma mater.
“UCF has grown phenomenally over the years,
and it’s been an honor to confer upon this presti-
gious university in some way,” he says.
Chastang started the Lawrence J. Chastang
Global Fellows Program to provide the oppor-
tunity for an outstanding UCF junior, senior or
graduate student to serve as a global fellow. With the help of the UCF Global
Perspectives Office, the selected student works on a research project related
to the broad area of globalization with the hopes that it will be published.
“My parents instilled in me the values my siblings and I needed to be
successful in life,” Chastang explains. “As a
UCF alumnus, I have been given the prospect
to offer a student the chance to benefit from
the fellows program, and the results have been
wonderful so far.”
Chastang has served on the UCF Alumni
Association and UCF Foundation boards of
directors, Beta Alpha Psi and the Student
Accounting Society. After graduating from
UCF, he was the recipient of the Outstanding
Alumnus Award for the UCF Kenneth G. Dixon
School of Accounting, and he now serves on
the accounting advisory boards for UCF and
Valencia Community College.
Presently, Chastang is principal in
charge of LarsonAllen, LLP, a public accounting firm. Fluent in
both Spanish and French, he is recognized as one of
Florida’s leading experts in international business
and taxation.
Larry
Chastang,’80
SERVICE
TOUCF
the UCF and Orlando communities. During
her senior year, she was elected PLC chair
and was appointed to serve on the provost
search committee. Koffler was able to attend
milestone events such as the UCF College of
Medicine’s White Coat Ceremony for the col-
lege’s inaugural class.
Koffler hopes she has shown others the impor-
tance of finding a balance among the academic,
extracurricular and social aspects of college.
She is currently attending the Levin College
of Law at the University of Florida, where she
hopes to explore her various interests in law
before deciding upon her specialty.
“I want to study law to give others an op-
portunity in life,” she explains. “I want to
empower the powerless and advocate for those
less fortunate who are seeking justice in the
world.”
Stephanie Koffler, ’10, was a proud member of the
President’s Leadership Council, which is directed by UCF
Assistant Chief of Staff Nancy Marshall, left.
Larry Chastang, ’80, and his wife,
Patty, enjoy traveling to places
like India, above, and Utah, below,
as well as helping UCF students
become Global Fellows.