First Home Forever Home Campaign Specialist

I started volunteering with Best Friends in 2001 and joined the staff in mid-2007 as the volunteer coordinator for The Great Kitty Rescue in Pahrump, Nevada.

When the rescue ended in early 2008, I continued coordinating volunteers all over the United States and helped develop the Best Friends Ambassador Program, growing its forces from 78 ambassadors to well over 300 in one year.

Dedicated to the Best Friends mission of achieving a day when there are No More Homeless Pets, I joined the Campaigns Department in early 2009. To this position I bring more than 20 years experience in teaching and program development. I hold a master’s degree from San Diego State University and am also a certified humane education specialist and a certified pet dog trainer. 

Honored to be part of the work of Best Friends, I believe that education is a key component to making a positive difference for pets.

I live in Mesquite, Nevada, where I also volunteer at the Mesquite Animal Shelter. I share my home with my husband Don  and one “scary smart” dog, Guthrie (formerly known as Kenzo), one of the dogs rescued by Best Friends from Lebanon in 2006. We all enjoy hiking and camping as well as visiting with our large and extended family in San Diego.  

What I like best about my job is that I get to work with amazing people every day who devote so much of their energy to helping make a difference for the animals.