I’ve had a lifelong love affair with penguins—ever since high school, which was more years ago than I’d like to admit! I still have the very first stuffed penguin I ever received, a gift from my high school sweetheart from Spencer’s Gifts. One day, while I was grounded and forbidden from leaving the house, he showed up at my front door and simply stuck the penguin through the doorway, making its little flippers flap back and forth. My mom tried her best not to laugh, but the gesture worked, she eventually let me go outside to spend some time with him. That little penguin started a collection that has grown tremendously over the years. The only thing missing? A real penguin. A girl can dream!
Professionally, I've spent nearly 30 years designing and developing websites. While I still enjoy creating and maintaining websites from time to time, my heart has found a new purpose - helping animals.
I volunteer with Pinellas County Animal Services as a Dog Adoption Facilitator, which is the official title for someone who happily walks dogs, cleans kennels, and spends countless hours helping shelter pets find their forever homes. Around the shelter, I’m better known as “the cuddler.” I have a special place in my heart for the frightened, shy, and overlooked dogs who simply need patience, kindness, and someone to help them learn to trust again. They remind me every day that resilience, forgiveness, and unconditional love are some of life’s greatest lessons.
My husband has been wonderfully supportive (and willingly recruited!) into this passion. Together we’ve fostered dogs, particularly those with medical needs. After losing one of our beloved adopted dogs, JoJo, to cancer, we discovered a calling in helping animals through some of their most difficult moments. Whether it’s nursing a dog back to health so they can find a forever family or providing comfort, love, and dignity during their final days, we believe every dog deserves to know compassion and feel cherished.
Another cause that is deeply meaningful to me is my work with Protecting Paws for Life, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping domestic violence survivors keep their pets safe. The organization partners with domestic violence shelters to create and maintain fear-free, pet-friendly environments so survivors don’t have to choose between their own safety and the safety of their beloved companions.
Sadly, nearly half of domestic violence survivors delay leaving an abusive situation because they fear what will happen to their pets if they leave them behind. Pets are family, and no one should have to make that impossible choice. Supporting this mission allows me to help keep families together during some of the most challenging times of their lives.