Our Staff

Karen Aseltine
Feline Medical and Behavior Manager
Best Things in Life: bicycles, scented candles, gummy bears, warm summer nights
Could Easily Live Without: snow days, paper cuts, family members who complain about my cooking.

Edie Bonneville
Helpline Program Assistant
Best things in life: Family, big smiles, nature and all its miracles, books, a good belly laugh and the unconditional love of animals
Could easily live without: TV, bills, traffic jams and lima beans

Lucas Brozyna
Sanctuary Canine and Feline Caregiver
Best things in life: spending time outdoors, bike rides, and disc golf.
Could easily live without: bad drivers, cold weather, and poor grammar.

Caroline Gaetano
Director of Community Programs
Best Things in Life: Fresh mountain air, hiking with dogs, my vacuum cleaner, and chocolate.
Could Easily Live Without: Glitter, bananas, and snakes.

Sarah Geriak
Sanctuary Feline Caregiver
Best Things in Life: My dog Sam, Autumn, books, music, and strawberries.
Could Easily Live Without: Spiders and tuition expenses.

Mark Heinrich
Finance Director
Best things in life: Family and friends at Lake Sunapee, NH. Anything outside. Any sporting event: anywhere – anytime!
Could easily live without: Commercials and taxes.

Paul Johnson
Office Manager
Best Things in Life: Classical music, craft beer, and cartoons.
Could Easily Live Without: Sports

Marie Joyner
Canine Operations Director
Best Things in Life: In the woods with the dogs, The Maine Cabin, and Hound Hugs.
Could Easily Live Without: Social Media

Briana Keating
Sanctuary Feline Caregiver
Best Things in Life: fries, autumn, concerts, stephen king, ben & jerry's, and road trips.
Could Easily Live Without: bugs, football, needles, chocolate, country music, and traffic.

Tom King
Sanctuary Facilities Caretaker aka Mr. Fix It

Susan B. Linker
Chief Executive Officer
Best Things in Life: Soft cat fur, Summer, and Home.
Could Easily Live Without: Country Music

Bree Lowrey
Canine Behavior Assistant
Best things in life: woods, trees, rocks, mountains, music, food, and dogs.
Could easily live without: technology and crowded places.

Krystal Makowski
Canine Medical and Behavior Manager
Best Things in Life: All things sparkly, Photography, Mac and Cheese, and shopping.
Could Easily Live Without: Hitting my funny bone -the irony is too much.

Beth Merow
Canine Volunteer Manager
Best Things in Life: Pets, all things nature and wildlife, repurposing stuff into other neater stuff, nerding out on popular science books, and true crime podcasts.
Could Easily Live Without: Poison ivy, sunburn, and mayonnaise.

Mary Moffitt
Sanctuary Canine Caregiver
Best Things in Life: Unconditional love!
Could Easily Live Without: Anxiety, stress, and tons of shepherd hair.

Stephanie Montemerlo
Director of Programs
Best Things in Life: Family, home, pasta, reading, traveling, and animals of course!
Could Easily Live Without: Snow and cold weather.

Deanna Nickels
Canine College Program Manager
Best Things in Life: hot fudge sundaes, teaching dogs new tricks, sunshine, gardening, family, and friends.
Could Easily Live Without: snakes, cold weather, and bad coffee.

Laurie Noriega
Sanctuary Feline Caregiver
Best Things in Life: Family, all animals, swimming, Oregon Ducks, camping, sunshine, and roller coasters.
Could Easily Live Without: Spiders and insects that bite.

Lindsey Pellino
Feline Volunteer Manager
Best Things in Life: bike rides, hot sauce, lipstick, and reading on a hammock.
Could Easily Live Without: mosquitos, cold weather, and my own clumsiness.

Jon Phillips
Sanctuary Director
Best Things in Life: Watching TV on the couch with my wife and assorted furballs and all things musical.
Could Easily Live Without: Reality TV

Jennifer Strong
Sanctuary Canine Caregiver
Best Things in Life: Disney World, Halloween, The Drive-in Movies (yes they still exist!), Dogs (of course), Spending time with my husband and our fur kids, and Christmas movies!
Could Easily Live Without: Snakes and Spiders.

Heather Wildman
Adoption Program & Social Media Manager
Best Things in Life: Mountain adventures, purple hair dye, Indian food, sunbathing with some furry friends, front row at a concert, and laughing until your stomach hurts.
Could Easily Live Without: Stubbing your toe and the feeling of having something stuck in your teeth.
Leadership
It is our pleasure to welcome our Board of Directors. While this diverse group of individuals offers a myriad of skills and expertise, they share a common bond: a deep commitment to the mission of Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary. We look forward to many accomplishments through the dedication of our new leadership.
Officers
Maria das Neves - Board Chair
Risa Davidson, M.S. - Secretary
Maneesh Shanbhag, CFA - Treasurer
Directors
Pat Foley - West Hartford, CT
Valerie Friedman - Washington Depot, CT
Frank Gaetano, CPA (Licensed in MA, CT, NY, and NJ) - Grafton, MA
Marie Joyner - Union, CT
Mitchell H. Linker - Bloomfield, CT
Susan B. Linker - Bloomfield, CT
George Trumbull - West Simsbury
Kim Zimmermann - Farmington, CT
Adam Zweifler, Esq. - West Hartford, CT
Advisory
Janet Bailey - Farmington, CT
Colleen Bridgeman - Willington, CT
Jennifer Coffey - West Hartford, CT
Sharon Flannery-West Hartford, CT
Diana Garfield, Esq. – Acton, MA
Linda Hatten - Farmington, CT
Anne Llewellyn - Enfield, CT
Kerri Mansberg - Ashford, CT
Lauren Mascola, D.V.M. - West Hartford, CT
Joleen Nevers – Storrs, CT
Barbara Ruben - Middletown, CT
Chris Shivery - Avon, CT
Kathy Sullivan - Bloomfield, CT