Meet Our Team.

FOUNDER/ DIRECTOR

How did your journey into rescue work begin?

My involvement in rescue started about 10 years ago. My partner and I rescued a dog from another rescue and I decided to volunteer for them! I started as an application processor!

What inspired you to get involved and start your own rescue?

After my initial involvement with the rescue I adopted my dog Milo from, I was fortunate enough to form another rescue with an amazing partner. Through time and life, I had to step away for personal reasons but I never really “got away” from rescue. I was still involved in several other rescues, whether it was volunteering, serving on their board of directors or helping with evaluation and intakes. Eventually, it started to wear on me that the dogs I wanted to help couldn’t be helped because I didn’t have a direct place to put them. Starting my own rescue was a goal of mine for the long term but the “No’s” started to feel heavier and heavier. The dogs I wanted to save weren’t being given a chance, and so I decided that it couldn’t wait, because love depended on me to say yes.

What is the most rewarding aspect of running ASTDR?

For me, the most rewarding part is the happy endings, the updates of our alumni enjoying the sunshine with their families, knowing that without this amazing rescue that I’ve been so fortunate to build, those happy endings would not have been possible.

What do you do outside of your time in rescue?

More rescue! That’s a joke, kind of. I work full time and so because of that, rescue is my “spare time”. When I am fortunate enough to have a day off, I enjoy taking one of my dogs for a hike or just relaxing, watching tv and recharging.

How many animals do you personally have?

I am a lucky dog dad to four wonderful dogs- Milo, Jameson, Truman and Draven. We usually have a foster as well! I am very fortunate to have a well balanced pack of boys that make wonderful foster brothers!

CO-DIRECTOR

What inspired you to get involved in rescue?

I have always been an animal person! I spent a chunk of my life living in Texas when I was younger, and witnessed firsthand the mistreatment of animals there. My passion to help them grew more and more as I got older. It sparked even more when I lived in Seattle and my ex was a foster coordinator for a rescue, and since then I knew my true calling.

What is the most rewarding aspect of volunteering ASTDR?

Knowing we have been able to help overrun kill shelters save a life by transporting and placing them in a warm and loving home that we carefully assessed. Not only are we helping animals find a forever home, but we are helping shelter workers with one less worry on their shoulders. Animal care workers have a high risk of suicide due to compassion fatigue, so if we are able to lighten their load just a bit we are saving more than just animal lives.

What do you do outside of your time in rescue?

I run my own handmade pet collar business. I dog walk as well. I foster dogs locally (i lived in maine so unfortunately can not foster for our rescue) and spend as much time with my dog and cats as possible.

How many animals do you personally have?

1 dog and 2 cats! Juniper is a rescue purebred blue heeler that is not an ASTDR alumni, Sushi is a 5 year old black cat, and Nori FKA sabrina is a siamese kitten adopted from ASTDR

ADOPTION COORDINATOR

What inspired you to get involved in rescue?

I have always had a love for animals, especially dogs. There is something very special about the love and companionship they share with their owner. After losing my own dog, I was lucky enough to find a new one through ASTDR. I wanted to volunteer as a way of giving back, to help others find their new pet and that pet to find their forever home.

What is the most rewarding aspect of volunteering ASTDR?

There are so many rewarding aspects to volunteering. Personally, knowing that I helped match a pet in need with a loving home and caring owners. The look in the faces of the family when they meet their new furry family member. And, of course, seeing the happiness of the pup when their forever families post them in the alumni group.

What do you do outside of your time in rescue?

When I’m not working at my full time job, I’m usually hanging out with my dog. We meet up with her bestie for daily play dates, go to the park in the afternoon and go to the beach on the weekends. I also LOVE baking and will usually bake for my family, co workers, my local fire department…or really, anyone that wants something.

How many animals do you personally have?

I currently just have my one pet and she’s an ASTDR alumni named Zelda. She’s an absolute sassy terror and I love everything about her.

ADOPTION COORDINATOR

What inspired you to get involved in rescue?

I have always loved animals and after adopting my three dogs, I wanted to become more involved in rescue to give back. I initially started out fostering about ten years ago and loved helping fur babies learn to trust love humans again and find their forever home.

What is the most rewarding aspect of volunteering ASTDR?

I love the happiness we get to see between a family and their newly adoptive pet and know it was a perfect match and they have now found their forever home! Fostering is also very rewarding as you get to see how much dogs have grown and then get to follow their story on our alumni page.

What do you do outside of your time in rescue?

I love hanging out with my pups and husband. Whether its outside playing or inside snuggling together or working on training, as we usually have a foster dog in our home that we are working with.

How many animals do you personally have?

We just lost our precious Jonah recently and we have Bella, Moe, Ali and Odin. Ali and Odin we adopted from ASTDR! Plus, we usually have a foster or two in the house!