Little Ones Animal Center

MANAGEMENT

CEO/Executive Director

I have no doubt that my mission in life is to save animals. This passion was passed down to me from my father, who was the senior foreman of the Bay Bridge. He often brought home injured animals he found on the bridge, and I would help nurse them back to health. From those early experiences, I knew that rescuing and healing animals was my life’s calling. The gratification of saving a life, watching an animal heal, and then placing them in a loving forever home is beyond words. Yes, rescue work is hard—it requires endless time, energy, and heart—but one look into their grateful eyes makes it all worthwhile. At The Little Ones Animal Center, we are committed to these companions for life.

CEO/Executive Director Experience

My journey in animal rescue began when I was just 7 years old—I'm now 68. My father, a senior foreman on the Bay Bridge, often brought home injured animals he found on the job—pheasants, ducks, rabbits, cats, and dogs. I learned early how to treat animals with gentleness, love, and respect. As a teenager and young adult, I volunteered at several county animal shelters, deepening my passion and commitment to this work. One of the most profound experiences of my life came when I lived near Yosemite National Park. I had the rare opportunity to raise two purebred wolf pups that had been confiscated by the forestry department at just 10 days old. Though I could only keep them for a year before transferring them to a sanctuary, that time taught me even more about trust, communication, and the depth of connection we can share with animals. In February 2015, I founded The Little Ones Animal Center. Since then, I’ve poured my heart into this mission. I worked nights as a kennel technician with Disneyland’s K9 security team, caring for 28 dogs, and also spent a year working with the veterinarian who now supports our rescue. I did this so I could better understand early signs of illness and save more lives. Education is a cornerstone of our rescue. I’ve completed several online courses in dog behavior, and I teach our fosters to recognize early health or behavior issues. I believe most people want to learn how to better care for their dogs—so we create a team environment where we all learn and grow together. At The Little Ones, we don’t view dogs as just animals—they are loyal, intelligent, and emotionally rich companions. Everything we do is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and the desire to save as many lives as possible.

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