VA Dogman Research

About Us

Established April 15th, 2017
Official N.A.P.D Chapter since 2017

The Virginia Chapter of the North American Dogman Project (NADP) is a non-profit organization based outside of Richmond,VA. We conduct investigations into Dogman sightings around the Commonwealth. We are seeking genuine evidence and are careful about the presentation of this evidence... insuring that it is legitimate, researched, and analyzed before being presented to the general public.

We use strict SCIENTIFIC methods to obtain TANGIBLE evidence - Evidence that leaves no doubt about its origin, cause and effect.

We are working to present an image of competent researchers who are collecting the most authentic empirical evidence possible. Investigations conducted under the auspices of the VA NADP are always held to the standards of the group and are conducted with integrity, honesty, and with discretion.

We also seek to educate the public about Dogman by sharing our research findings through our website, Facebook Community and presentations at professional meetings and conferences. VA NADP seeks to engage the public in a variety of ways and on a variety of fronts.

Chapter Directors

Bobbie Atristain
Bobbie and her husband Rick started the Virginia Chapter of the NADP in April 2017.

This is Bobbie Bobbie is also the founder and board member of the Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation (CPRI), a 501(3)c research and educational organization. Bobbie and her husband Rick reside in Nottoway County, VA. She was a researcher and writer for the print edition of Ghost! Magazine, Haunted Times Magazine, the UK's Mystery Mag, T.A.P.S. Para Magazine and has been published in FATE magazine. Her first book entitled Haunted Minds, Haunted People, was published in 2006. In early 2005 she was awarded an honorary certificate in Parapsychology from the Southeastern Institute of Parapsychology for her research into the paranormal.

Bobbie's interest in the paranormal and cryptozology began at an early age which prompted her to read anything and everything related to the paranormal and the occult. She spent summers at her grandmother's home in Gretna, Virginia where lots of "unexplainable" events (including a Bigfoot sighting by her uncle) frequently occurred. These events only fueled her interest.

Bobbie studied art history and political science at Sweet Briar College where there were plenty of ghost stories. Once she finished college she moved to Lynchburg where she lived in an old house where plenty of unexplainable events occurred. She had the opportunity to utilize her investigative techniques on a daily basis.

Since May of 2000 she has had the chance to serve as a paranormal consultant for PBS's Things that Go Bump in the Night 2, a Sci Fi series, Fangoria TV, Discovery Kids and for two of the Travel Channel's productions including the World's Most Cursed Places. She has guest starred on the SciFi hit series "Ghost Hunters". She also consulted with several authors to give them information for paranormal themed books. She has been covered by such mainstream periodicals as The New York Times, The New York Daily News, The Washington Post, The Roanoke Times, The Richmond Times Dispatch and The Washington Times concerning the paranormal in Virginia.

When she's not earning her keep as a geek or conducting research she is busy keeping her five german shepherds out of trouble, gardening, and renovating her 200+ year old farmhouse in rural Virginia. She also stays busy using her digital skills for various volunteer organizations in her community and church.

You can email Bobbie at bobbie@vadogmanresearch.com

Rick Atristain
This is Rick Rick is a US Army veteran and retired police Sergeant whose experience includes working as a Forensic Detective, Homicide/ Crimes Against Persons, and Economics Crimes Detective. He also worked as a US State Department contractor in Iraq training, equipping, and mentoring Iraqi police forces. Rick has been investigating different aspects of the unusual and paranormal for approximately three decades. He has been a State Director with the Virginia Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), and a paranormal researcher and Investigator with the Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation (CPRI). In 2013, one of his cases was featured on the Discovery Network’s “A Haunting” titled, “The Mark of Evil.”

Rick takes an empirical approach to any investigation utilizing acquired investigative skills, reason, and logic to determine a rational approach to any investigation, even if this leads to an unconventional methodology.

You can email Rick at rick@vadogmanresearch.com