Petfinder.com Foundation and Rescue University
help a shelter in need.
Donate to the Animal Transport fund to support Rescue University
The Petfinder.com Foundation partnered with Animal Lifeline's Rescue University Program in January 2011 to take a group of college students and shelter professionals to Chester, South Carolina. Student volunteers from this program spent a week rehabilitating shelter facilities and improving the quality of life for the pets awaiting adoption. Watch a video
Follow us on the Petfinder.com Foundation blog as we traveled with the students and documented how they made a real difference in the lives of the shelters, pets and community.
14 dogs and puppies were transferred to other Petfinder.com members. Although many have already been adopted!
This trip has been made possible through the generous support of The Animal Rescue Site and GreaterGood.org. To learn more about how you can make a free, daily click donation at The Animal Rescue Site to support Petfinder.com Foundation, please visit the website.
Thanks also to ShelterLogic, a worldwide leading manufacturer of affordable shade, shelter and storage solutions and Nylabone Products®, a division of Central Garden & Pet Company who furnished kennels, fencing, toys and other products for the shelter.
The next trip will be in May of 2011 at Rowan K9 Shelter, Menifee County Animal Shelter and Saving the Animals of Rowan, Inc. (STAR) in Kentucky. The shelters are in need of new fencing, roof repair, a cat room and much more! Students from Rescue University will be on hand to do the hard work. You can help - DONATE to the Animal Transport Fund today!
Rescue University Volunteers
Zach Baker is currently a full-time student at Delaware Valley College, majoring in Business Administration in his Senior year. He is a carpenter’s apprentice for his step-father, whose business has a focus on stairs and railings but also does general contracting in a number of different fields. Zach hopes one day to become the owner of his own company and to continue to further his knowledge in those areas. Zach’s hobbies focus mainly on cars and trucks, woodworking, and photography. He has always been close with animals, and currently his family has a German Shepherd mix that was recently adopted with the help of Animal Lifeline (Balto!).
Denise Bash - Denise Bash is the Founder and president of Animal Lifeline. Her passion to save the lives of companion animals was the key factor in the development of the Animal Lifeline Outreach Program. After being involved with rescue for five years, Denise decided to start an organization to raise funds for the rescues and shelters that save animal lives every day. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” This Margaret Mead quote is the mantra for members of this very dedicated organization. Denise and her band of volunteers are committed to changing outcomes for animals by empowering the individuals that care for them. Supplying food, transport services, education, medication, professional training, and animal care supplies to some of the most impoverished areas in the country has created several lasting adoption and spay/neuter programs in areas that were desperate for help.
When not running outreach programming, Denise leads the management team at the Animal Lifeline Thrift Shop in Warrington, Pennsylvania, about an hour outside of Philadelphia. Income generated at the volunteer-run store allows Animal Lifeline to continue its life-saving efforts, and provides a day-to-day place for the public to become familiar with the group’s efforts and services they provide.
The fantastic growth of Animal Lifeline doesn’t allow for a regular schedule and often follows Denise home to the busy household she shares with her husband, two children, three dogs, one cat, and endless foster furry friends. Denise’s dream is to continue to open more thrift stores that are dedicated to generating income needed to provide critically needed spay and neuter services across the country, and to move Animal Lifeline Clubs onto additional college campuses to continue to educate the advocates of tomorrow and empower them with the ability to help the cause today.
Liz Borrie is a sophmore at Delaware Valley College. She is majoring in Zoo Science and would like to work at a zoo in the education department, along with serving as an interpreter for the deaf. She is Rescue University's Vice President, and this is her first Outreach Trip. She has been a member since her freshman year. She is also active in other school activites- a member of IMPACT, Block and Bridle, and Project EARTH; Vice President of The Wildlife Society; and is a Rambassador. She has volunteered at animal shelters and has worked at a dog kennel both for several years. Some of her animals include dogs, goats, donkeys, chickens, and a pig. Although this is her first trip, she is very excited to take part in the club's legacy.
Jen Daley - Jen started in helping shelter dogs by volunteering at her local humane society for a few years. Once Katrina occurred she became the transport coordinator for the Human Society of Louisiana and help them place several hundred dogs with out of state rescues during the aftermath. She then made the transition to a local rescue group and learned the rescue ropes eventually handling intake, and transport from rural shelters to rescues in the Northeast. She also managed several of the groups operational aspects by handling foster homes and adoptions. Wanting to do more on a national level with shelter outreach and transport she joined Animal Lifeline in early 2008 to run the rescue, transport and adoption programs for Animal Lifeline. Over the last two years with the aid of her vast rescue connections she has helped transport and place over a thousand dogs. She really enjoys helping the rural shelters save dogs. Jen lives in York Springs PA with her husband, Dan, her daughter and best helper Grace, her four dogs, two cats and two horses. And yes all her dogs are former fosters!
Courtney Dickinson is a junior biology major at Delaware Valley College. She had never set foot in a shelter until her first outreach trip to West Virginia at the end of her freshman year with Animal Lifeline. She fell in love with the club so much that she looked for a way to become more involved. She is currently the president of Rescue University (the branch of Animal Lifeline at Delaware Valley College). She has accompanied the club on three of the four outreach trips that have been offered at the college. These trips brought her to West Virginia twice and South Carolina once. Although she plans on working in the microbiology field when she graduates she hopes to continue to aid shelters.
Bryna Donnelly - Dr. Bryna Donnelly is a professor of biology at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. In 2007, Bryn was introduced to Animal Lifeline by a former student that had travelled to West Virginia on an outreach trip. She was immediately drawn to the prospect of teaching students how they can enrich the lives of thousands of animals with nothing more than a little hard work and perseverance. Since that initial trip, Bryn has taken students on numerous outreach trips to West Virginia and South Carolina in addition to the various shelters and animal rescue organizations they help in Pennsylvania. She is now the student outreach coordinator for Animal Lifeline, and was an integral part of setting up the first college chapter of Animal Lifeline at Delaware Valley College with the help of Valerie Rice. Her goal is to see additional college chapters established so many other organizations can benefit from the students’ help. Bryn currently lives with her boyfriend, five dogs, a cat and a gecko in East Greenville, PA.
Laurie Frederick - Laurie Frederick oversees day-to-day operations at the Animal Lifeline Thrift Store. A volunteer for the past year and a half, Laurie was thrilled to find an opportunity which encompassed both her passion for animals and her zeal for recycling. She shares her home with her husband, son, and eight cats.
Linda Lelak- CPDT-KA, a certified professional dog trainer and owner of Pawsitive Paws Dog Training, Linda has been training dogs and their people for over 13 years. Besides being a behaviorist for Animal Lifeline, she volunteers at the Bucks County SPCA rehabilitating dogs there. Linda conducts training classes and offers private training as well. She has fostered and trained countless dogs from several rescue groups and is a former Puppy Educator for The Seeing Eye in Morristown, NJ. She is dedicated to continuing her education in dog behavior through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, The International Positive Reinforcement Dog Training Association and BEN, Behavior Education Network. She is also a certified Doggone Safe presenter of the international Be-A-Tree Program.
Devon Lowry - Devon is the Program Assistant for the Petfinder.com Foundation and is thrilled to be accompying the Animal Lifeline team on this trip. Devon is originally from Wilcox Arizona and is attending the University of Arizona. Aside from his other duties on this trip Devon will be documenting the journey by blogging for the Petfinder.com team. Devon has two adopted kitties, CupCake and DittyBell who live with him in Tucson.
Drew Mackay – I live in Toms River, New Jersey. I am currently a senior at Delaware Valley College where I major in secondary education – biology. This is my third trip down to South Carolina with Rescue University to help out shelters in the area. I joined Rescue U as a sophomore and became the clubs treasurer last year. I love having the opportunity to help animals in need and Rescue U definitely is a great way to get involved with that cause.
My name is Kasey Martini and I am a Junior at Delaware Valley College. I attend with a major in Conservation and Wildlife Management, and a minor in Criminal Justice. I hope to start a career working with wildlife in rehabilitation centers or dealing with canines in a field with animal behavior. I decided to minor in Criminal Justice because I am also thinking about working for the Humane Law Enforcement. Animals mean everything to me and I couldn't see myself having a career that didn't consist of me being with them every day. That is why I love being a part of Animal Lifeline. I get to be with a group of people that care about animals as much as me and make a difference for them, one shelter at a time.
Matt Murrin is from Brick, NJ. He is a Senior at Delaware Valley College majoring in Food Science. He has been in the club since day one and has helped out with outreach trips, socializing dogs, and getting involved in all that animal stuff. He also has a Golden Retriever and two cats. After college Matt hopes to get a sweet job so he can continue to help out dogs.
Liz Neuschatz – Liz Neuschatz is the executive director of the Petfinder.com Foundation. Liz works with over 50 partners (companies and agencies) to eventually ensure that all pets have a chance at a home. Before joining the foundation, Liz worked for Petfinder.com as vice president of partner relations. She also volunteers for Pima County Animal Care and Tu Nidito Children and Family Services and serves on several boards in Tucson Arizona, where she lives with her husband Andy, two “tween” girls, two dogs, two cats, and two fish.
Hi, I’m George Ngo, a sophomore at Delaware Valley College and I come from a little town called Delanco, NJ. I am majoring in Wildlife Management and Conservation because I am in love with all of the wildlife as well as the outdoors. I’m a member of Animal Lifeline: Rescue University because I love cats and dogs for whenever we’re down they’re always there to comfort us and now it’s our turn to do the same and help out with any shelters who is in need of assistance. I’m active in many clubs here at Delaware Valley College: The Wildlife Society, Animal Lifeline as well as being a brother in a fraternity Rho Epsilon Kappa. When I graduate from DelVal I would like to work with birds.
Emily Reineberg is a sophomore at Delaware Valley College as a Zoo Science major with a minor in Biology. She has been with the club for a year now but this will be her first outreach trip. Animals have always been her passion and most of her time at home is spent with her Golden Mix rescue, Bailey. After college, she plans to become an animal keeper for a zoo or aquarium.
John Schaffer graduated from Delaware Valley College in 2009 with a degree in Animal Behavior and Training. Immediately after graduating he got a job as the Assistant Director of Admissions for Delaware Valley College. He now serves as one of the advisors for Animal Lifeline's Rescue University.
John began going on these outreach trips as a senior because he was offered extra credit for one of his classes. He continued going on the trips because of how rewarding it was to help these animals. One year ago, on Rescue University's last trip to South Carolina, he fell in love with one of the dogs at the shelter and adopted her. After surviving heartworm, Sookie (a husky/akita mix) is one of the happiest, most personable dogs you will meet.
Animals have always been his passion, big and small. It was not until he started working with Animal Lifeline that he realized how uneducated some people are and how much animal shelters need volunteers just like the great students of Delaware Valley College. John's dream is to have this Rescue University club spread to campuses all over the nation so more and more of these shelters can get the help they need and deserve.
Leigh Siegfried - Leigh Siegfried, is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant and owner of Opportunity Barks Behavior & Training. Opportunity Barks specializes in behavior problem solving and companion dog training and serves the DC and Philadelphia metro regions, with four class locations.
Before starting Opportunity Barks as a full time venture, Leigh got her feet wet as a shelter volunteer and then went on to manage an award - winning daycare and training center- where she and her staff were responsible for the care of upwards of 60 dogs daily. Leigh went on to be the Animal Behavior and Training Manager for one of the most progressive shelters on the East Coast, the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL). While at WARL, she was responsible for performing behavior evaluations, implementing an enrichment program and teaching staff, volunteers (and the public). She also had the unique opportunity to work with 11 of the seized Michael Vick pit bulls.
Leigh holds a Bachelor of Science from Penn State University. Her professional memberships and affiliations include the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and Animal Behavior Management Alliance (AMBA).
My name is Mike Thomas and I’m a senior at Delaware Valley College majoring in Animal Science. I’m from Jim Thorpe, PA and recently got accepted to Veterinary School and plan to continue my education for an additional four years. I play baseball here at DVC and some hobbies include hunting, fishing, and anything sports related.
Hi, I’m Kristine Velez, I am a senior at Delaware Valley College, studying Environmental Science as well as Conservation and Wildlife Management. As the recording secretary of Animal Lifeline: Rescue University here on campus I have been on multiple Outreach Trips to West Virginia and South Carolina. I enjoy volunteering for such an active organization driven to assisting shelters and all other animals in need. I hope to work and/or travel after I graduate in May 2011, dedicating my time, talent, and hard work to meaningful causes.
My name is Dani Walton, I am nineteen years old and a sophomore at Delaware Valley College. I am a Criminal Justice major with Psychology minor looking to pursue a career in Forensic Psychology. At Del Val I am on the softball team as well as part of the Criminal Justice club. I grew up in Southern Maryland, in a family of four with all sorts of pets varying from dogs and cats to rats. I have always had a warm spot in my heart for animals even though my career plans do not focus around them. When I discovered Delaware Valley I knew it was the perfect college for me. I spent many of my summers growing up at the Tri-County Animal shelter in Charles County, Maryland volunteering and helping out with anything I could. I have heard great things about the Animal Lifeline group and am extremely eager to go on my first trip. With my love for animals growing more and more since I have been at school and I am hoping to become more involved with programs such as Animal Lifeline in the future.
Dan Weesner is a sophomore at Delaware Valley College. He is a Small Animal Science major, who wants to go onto veterinary school when he graduates. Dan has been on two outreach trips, one to South Carolina and the other to West Virginia. He continues to be a very active Rescue University club member as well as an active member in Student Activities Council and an active brother of Rho Epsilon Kappa.
Amy Weidman is a junior Livestock Science and Management major with a minor in Dairy Science. Amy is currently the Fundraising/Events Coordinator for Rescue University. Although she has been an active member of Rescue University since her freshman year she has never gone on an outreach trip before. Amy worked at a boarding kennel for 3 years and enjoys working with dogs and other animals. She is also involved in Dairy Society and Delta Tau Alpha.
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