About Jamie:

Jamie began following Mountain Pet Rescue on Facebook in late 2013 to smile over the new family photos as dogs found homes and giggle over the cute puppy videos.  Also in those Facebook posts were requests for fosters and volunteers. After months of scrolling past those and hoping “someone does something”, in April of 2014 Jamie saw the eyes of Sara in Texas. Relinquished by her family to an overcrowded shelter that euthanized owner surrenders for space, Sara was on death row pleading for her someone.  Jamie was on the phone with MPR volunteering to foster even before she told her (incredibly patient and supportive!!) husband, Mike, that they were about to become fosters.  After quickly realizing Sara from Texas, temporary foster, was actually perfectly happy in her new forever home and not going anywhere, thank you very much, Jamie looked for other ways to continue helping MPR.

The more Jamie got to know MPR and how they worked, the more she believed in the vision and the more she wanted to do.  It was a great opportunity to combine her business degree and over twenty years in finance with her love of dogs.  As a result, you can often find Jamie alongside a plane or outside a van helping welcome dogs to Colorado or helping process applications or moving supplies to fosters around the Front Range while promising Mike that someday, maybe, his backyard shed will again be his and not full of dog supplies.  Until that happens, Jamie and the ever-patient Mike will continue the hard work and the sometimes heartache that is involved in rescue because it is all worth it to see love at first sight in action and to know that, in some small way, they made a difference that day.

About Becky:

Becky has always loved animals, with a particular affinity for dogs. One of her earliest memories is sitting with her Fisher Price tape recorder, documenting her ideas of building a dog zoo where she could have every kind of dog in the world. While that desire to “have all the dogs” never subsided, her childhood black lab taught her that loving a dog meant so much more than just giving it a place to live. So, her dream slowly morphed from “having all the dogs” to “helping all the dogs.” After finishing college and pharmacy residency, Becky moved to Denver for a job that provided the ability to have a dog – which became her first order of business. Within two days of touring shelters, she had adopted a one-year-old Ridgeback/Boxer mix. He turned out to be quite a wild child! By working through his medical and behavioral challenges, Becky learned about the benefits of positive reinforcement, routine, enrichment, and creative problem solving. She also realized that so many homeless dogs face similar challenges, preventing them from finding homes and living the lives they deserve. So, after years of training her dog and helping him build proper social skills, Becky decided she wanted to start fostering dogs to help them become more adoptable.

A friend mentioned they’d worked with Mountain Pet Rescue in the past and had a positive experience, so Becky reached out to volunteer and learn about the organization. She started by welcoming dogs at transport arrivals and chauffeuring them to their new homes. She quickly realized that her values closely aligned with the organization’s, so was excited to continue helping out. One day she saw the sweetest, saddest face of a boxer in urgent need of a medical foster. Within a few hours she was bringing that dog into her home, nursing her back to health, and falling in love with fostering. Since then, she has worked to help over 30 foster dogs on their journey to their forever homes, while continuing to be involved with other aspects of rescue. Becky later joined the organization’s Board of Directors currently serving as the Vice President, offering insight and perspectives based on her volunteer experience in different roles within the rescue.  As a board member, she combines the critical thinking and organizational skills from her day job as a clinical psychiatric pharmacist with her love and passion for dogs and their well-being. By focusing on welfare and getting involved with rescue, Becky has found the perfect way to fulfill her lifelong dream, both having and helping “all the dogs.”

About Jess:

Jess grew up in a rural part of Pennsylvania, where her love for animals blossomed. Growing up Jess witnessed her mom’s tireless efforts—spaying, neutering, and finding loving homes for their Amish neighbors. When she moved to Colorado she took the opportunity to work at an animal shelter and was able to use her passion in helping animals to full force. Not only was Jess an adoption technician but she also had the roles of Volunteer, Foster and Enrichment Coordinator. Any chance she got she was out walking a shelter dog or using the agility yard to keep a dogs mind healthy. After Colorado Jess moved to Alaska and walked dogs full time for a local dog walking company adding to her favorite past time, being with dogs all day. Every vacation Jess takes, whether it’s in California or Mexico, she always signs up to volunteer at a local animal shelter. Jess has always opened her home to animals by fostering dogs, guinea pigs, cats, rabbits and even the occasional parrot. Jess currently lives in Maine where she actively fosters, walks dogs and helps with fundraising for the local animal shelter. Her and her husband only adopt senior dogs, because they are the least adoptable animals and believe those last years of a dog’s life should be the most spoiled and loved. Jess is now lucky to work remotely for Mountain Pet Rescue and do what she is most passionate about; helping rescue dogs find a forever home.