Staff

Kayy, Operations Manager

Kayy has over a decade of experience in animal welfare, gained through hands on work with animal rescue organizations, animal shelters, and veterinary clinics throughout the Pacific Northwest. Recently relocating to Ohio, she brings a deep understanding of both the operational and human sides of animal welfare, with a strong belief that sustainable, effective sheltering starts with empowered people.

Known for a human focused leadership style, Kayy prioritizes clear communication, collaboration, and staff support, recognizing that strong teams are essential to serving animals and communities well. Their background spans day to day shelter operations, cross-department coordination, and community engagement, always with an eye toward continuous improvement and compassionate care.

Driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference, Kayy is passionate about building positive relationships and contributing to a culture where both people and animals can thrive.

Cindy, Administrative Support

Cindy serves as Administrative Support at Animal Friends, bringing a deep institutional knowledge of the organization. She began her journey in shelter work as a kennel technician in 2008 when the organization was located in Trenton. Over the past decade and a half, Cindy has witnessed and supported the shelter’s evolution, contributing to enhanced resources and services for the community.

Myra, Dog Care Supervisor

A lifelong Butler County resident, Myra has a lifelong passion for animals. She shares her home with three rescue dogs from Animal Friends and rabbits that compete in 4-H shows. With nearly ten years of experience in animal welfare, Myra began her career as a kennel technician and advanced into her current leadership role. She is dedicated to ensuring every dog in the shelter receives compassionate, high-quality care and the best chance at a successful adoption. Myra oversees surgical scheduling with partner veterinarians, develops care plans, maintains care protocols, supports social media efforts, and participates in behavioral assessments. She has a special interest in animal enrichment and is committed to expanding the shelter’s enrichment program.

Kathy, Foster/Rescue/Outreach Coordinator

Kathy has spent her life caring for animals and has more than thirty years of experience in animal training, care, and management. Raised in Ohio, she spent six years in Maine managing daily operations for an Olympic dressage trainer before opening her own training facility. There she focused on building strong relationships between animals and their caregivers and deepened her commitment to best practices in animal welfare. With more than nine years of specialized cat care experience and Fear Free Certification, Kathy is passionate about helping cats thrive in shelter and foster settings. In her role, she supports foster families, strengthens partnerships with other rescues, and helps animals find safe, loving homes. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, cooking, home projects, and time with her husband and their beloved dogs and cats. 

Kaitlynn, Behavior Team Lead

Originally from Florida, Kaitlynn brings experience in shelter-based behavior work and currently serves as Behavior Team Lead. She began her career in animal welfare two years ago, gaining hands-on experience that prepared her to lead programs focused on supporting animals and adopters. In her role, Kaitlynn develops behavior resources and strategies that help strengthen lifelong bonds between pets and their families.

Maria, Behavior Team

Maria is originally from Vermont and has experience in a wide range of shelter operations, from spay/neuter clinic support to daily care duties and enrichment. Her interest in animal behavior grew while working alongside experienced shelter staff, particularly in understanding body language and communication. Maria is proud to bring her skills to the Animal Friends behavior team, where she contributes to positive outcomes for animals in care.

Sara, Behavior Team

Sara has been with Animal Friends Humane Society for four years, serving in multiple roles including kennel staff, kennel lead, and dog care coordinator. She has a strong interest and ability in working with dogs that are shy or cautious, using her understanding of dog psychology and body language to help them feel more comfortable and confident. Sara joined the behavior team to continue supporting dogs who need extra care and guidance on their journey to adoption.