With a career marked by innovation, compassion and unwavering advocacy for vulnerable populations, Maria Garcia Fogg has established herself as a leader in forensic psychology, education and animal rescue. Her professional journey reflects a deep commitment to both human and animal welfare, shaped by formative experiences as a Cuban American immigrant and her early years separated from her parents. Dr. Garcia Fogg provides pro bono mental health counseling for youth in juvenile detention centers and psychiatric wards. She advocates for improved treatment conditions and maintains long-term relationships with former patients who continue to seek her guidance.
Since 2007, Dr. Garcia Fogg has served as a professor of forensic psychology at Miami Dade College, one of the largest colleges in the United States. In this role, she teaches virtual courses that integrate psychological theory with practical application, consistently earning high praise from students for her accessible teaching style and dedication to their success. Dr. Garcia Fogg’s tenure at Miami Dade College is distinguished by her leadership of a STEM grant program that addressed critical deficiencies in mathematics education. Under her direction, the program introduced innovative teaching techniques that significantly improved student comprehension. This initiative garnered a state award in 2010 and culminated in national recognition with the National Innovation Award in 2011 and the League of Innovations Award in 2012.
Concurrently with her work as an educator, Dr. Garcia Fogg founded Noah’s Animals Ark in 2007. This nonprofit animal rescue and sanctuary now operates across two locations and houses more than 75 rescued dogs and horses. As owner and director, Dr. Garcia Fogg oversees daily operations, coordinates care for senior dogs — many of whom were neglected or abandoned — and manages a dedicated team that ensures round-the-clock support for the animals. Her approach is deeply personal; motivated by past experiences where animals suffered neglect upon leaving her care, she provides lifelong sanctuary to each animal rather than adopting them out. Dr. Garcia Fogg’s work with Noah’s Animals Ark has attracted national attention, amassing a following of over 6,000 supporters on social media and drawing donors from across the country.
Dr. Garcia Fogg has made further contributions to the academic community as a professor at Broward College, where she led multiple live classes and fostered strong connections with students who valued her mentorship. She has also gained extensive experience as a forensic psychologist in private practice, working with courts and hospitals.
In addition to teaching and counseling, Dr. Garcia Fogg’s expertise extends to higher education administration. She served as assistant chancellor and director of undergraduate programs for psychology at Albizu University, where she managed academic programs and secured approximately $10 million in grants after receiving specialized training from the Department of Education.
Equally distinguished for her academic background, Dr. Garcia Fogg began her journey in 1985 by graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from The Inter-American University of Puerto Rico. She followed that in 1990 by obtaining a master’s degree in forensic psychology from Albizu University. Subsequently, Dr. Garcia Fogg returned to Albizu University to earn a doctorate in forensic psychology in 2003. She has further backed up her credentials through a higher education leadership degree from Nova Southeastern University.
Dr. Garcia Fogg’s drive to help others is rooted in her childhood experience of separation from her parents, which instilled a profound empathy for those facing abandonment or adversity. This compassion has guided every aspect of her professional life, from advocating for systemic reform within correctional institutions to championing humane treatment for animals deemed untreatable by conventional standards.
Throughout her career, Dr. Garcia Fogg has demonstrated exceptional skill in grant writing, curriculum development and direct service to marginalized populations. She has rescued hundreds of dogs over four decades and has actively contributed to professional journals.
In her personal life, Dr. Garcia Fogg remarried in 2025, deepening her connection with someone she has known for 40 years. Her son, George Valles, is a successful businessman based in Miami. She is also a loving grandmother to one grandson.
Looking to the future, Dr. Garcia Fogg is working to complete a book about animal emotions and cancer diets in animals — an endeavor informed by years of research and practical success stories involving alternative treatments that have extended the lives of many animals under her care. She remains committed to providing lifelong sanctuary for rescued animals at Noah’s Animals Ark. Dr. Garcia Fogg also intends to continue teaching at Miami Dade College and offering pro bono forensic psychology support to those in need. Through these ongoing efforts, she exemplifies dedication to service, scholarship and advocacy, reflecting a legacy of resilience, compassion and the transformative power of empathy.