Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) is honored to introduce Dominic Decker, a physician and passionate community builder stepping forward to serve on our Board of Directors. Dominic brings a thoughtful, systems-aware approach to advocacy, a deep belief in meeting people where they are, and a health-focused lens that connects animal protection with human and planetary well-being.
A Community Connection That Sparked Action
Dominic first encountered CAA at our Twin Cities Pride booth in 2022. Already vegan but new to the local animal rights landscape, he found an immediate sense of alignment. Since then, he’s jumped in with both feet to get involved. His first volunteer experience was at a Chicken Run Rescue work day in 2023.
Since then, Dominic has volunteered at CAA’s Pride booth and staffed the first aid area at Twin Cities Veg Fest, attending potlucks and CAA’s annual banquet, and partnering with CAA’s Jodi Gruhn to deliver a plant-based nutrition lecture for physicians in training. Inspired by CAA’s mission and momentum, Dominic is now taking the next step to serve on our board to help grow impact at a pivotal moment.
Why Board Service?
According to Dominic, “After volunteering at several CAA events, I wanted to formalize my relationship with the organization. I am committed to doing everything in my power to advocate on behalf of farmed animals.”
He sees board members as mission-first stewards who:
- Champion our organization’s ideals in word and deed.
- Ensure operations are efficient and sustainable — so impact compounds year over year.
- Collaborate with humility and respect across the board, staff, and community.
Learning From the Local Movement
Dominic has engaged with CAA, Animal Rights Coalition, Chicken Run Rescue, Farmaste Animal Sanctuary, and Spring Farm Sanctuary — absorbing lessons on what makes advocacy effective. The throughline he’s observed: there are many tactics, but the most powerful is leading with curiosity and a non-judgmental attitude.
What attracted him most to CAA, in his own words, is that “CAA’s approach to change deeply resonates with me. It is one that meets people where they are, leads with curiosity, conveys understandable information about the plight of farmed animals and offers reasonable solutions for transitioning to a vegan lifestyle.”
A Vision to Broaden CAA’s Impact
Dominic is energized by CAA’s welcoming, accessible approach to vegan advocacy — meeting people at every stage of their journey. He believes sustained, incremental shifts add up to culture change and sees two opportunities to amplify CAA’s reach:
- Increasing visibility across the Twin Cities community
- Sharpening consistent, engaging branding — especially for younger audiences
Approach to Advocacy: Systems, Not Blame
Dominic centers empathy and inquiry, while still challenging convention. He emphasizes placing responsibility on systems rather than individuals — working to transform both systems and personal choices through supportive, evidence-based education.
Community-Building and Fundraising Ideas
New to formal fundraising, Dominic brings fresh, relationship-driven ideas — like hosting intimate vegan salons or living-room gatherings where people discuss books and ideas, build community around the movement, and raise funds to support CAA’s programs.
Dominic’s Professional Background: Physician and Nutrition Educator
As a physician, Dominic developed a strong interest in nutrition during his final year of medical school, completing a pilot course called “Food Matters for Doctors.” That training turned him into a confident home chef and teacher — skills he now shares with patients and trainee physicians.
Today, he practices in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis, providing primary care to adults 18 and over. He looks forward to contributing medical expertise to CAA’s health-forward programming and partnerships.
Dominic’s Personal Journey to Veganism
Dominic’s catalyst towards going vegan was close to home: backyard hens. After he and his husband adopted four chickens in 2021, they immediately stopped consuming meat — moved by the birds’ intelligence, curiosity, and affection. Soon after, they stopped eating eggs, returning them instead to the flock. Today, they care for five hens: Mary and Martha (age 6), Claudette and Diana (age 5), and Veronica (age 2), who all continue to inspire Dominic’s commitment to ending the confinement and suffering of farmed animals.
Dominc says of chickens, “They are among the most populous animals on our planet and yet many will never interact with them individually. The work that I do at CAA is dedicated to them.”
Spare Time Outside of Work and Volunteering
Dominic enjoys cooking his own plant-based meals, sharing, “I am passionate about cooking, so most of my meals are prepared at home. My favorite ingredient is chickpeas, especially if they are roasted in olive oil with some salt, pepper, cumin, and cayenne.”
He also enjoys reading and biking around the Twin Cities (particularly in winter!).
Looking Ahead
Dominic’s blend of medical insight, educational leadership, and compassionate, systems-focused advocacy makes him a strong addition to CAA’s leadership. His vision aligns squarely with our mission: advancing a kinder, healthier world for animals and people — one welcoming conversation, one community event, and one practical step at a time.
In his own words, “I’m thrilled about the opportunity to learn more about the daily operations of this organization and understand how my experience and training can help further the mission.”
We’re excited to work alongside Dominic as we expand CAA’s reach, deepen our programming, and help more people take simple, meaningful steps for animals.
