At the beginning of 2015, SAFE embarked on a new chapter within our organization with the separation of the Governing Board of Directors and the creation of our Operations Team. Over the last 8 months, the Operations Team has been growing and developing. Some absolutely amazing people have come forward to lead individual departments in our organization. Each of these roles are volunteer positions and this team gives their time, energy, and remarkable gifts to helping the operations of SAFE run smoothly. The teams include Outreach, Herd Health, Volunteer, Foster, Facilities, Marketing, Adoption, and Alumni. These leaders have developed groups of committee members who help them run their individual teams. Each leadership role holds immense responsibility and dedication. SAFE and the entire herd want to THANK these individuals for their dedication and kindness! Here is a little bit more about each of the Operation Team leaders:

Outreach Coordinator: Nicole Brandenburg

What you do: 

We receive many requests for assistance from members of the horse community here in Washington. I am here to serve as a point of contact for the community to request assistance and information on the services we provide at SAFE.

 How long have you been with SAFE: 

I have been an avid follower of SAFE since 2008 when the lovely chestnut Saddlebred mare named Annie first came to the rescue. I followed her story for years until I was finally able to adopt her in 2012.  I was asked to be the outreach coordinator in February 2015 and I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this organization that does so much to benefit the horses in the community.

What do you do outside of SAFE: 

I started cleaning stalls in exchange for lessons when I was 13 years old and continued through high school. I guided the trail and beach rides in Ocean Shores during the summers. In 2008 I first saw Annie when she came to SAFE. I wasn’t able to own a horse until 2012 when I adopted her. We clicked immediately and she became my once-in-a-lifetime horse. I also have a Tennessee Walking horse named Harley that I do Competitive Mounted Orienteering with. I work at a Freightliner Dealership and I am going to school for a degree in Supply Chain Management.

Herd Health Manager: Melinda Merryman

What you do: 

I lead the herd health committee in overseeing the routine and emergency veterinary needs of the SAFE horses. I work closely with the Operations Director to ensure that our horses are as healthy and comfortable as possible while in our care.

How long have you been with SAFE: 

I first began volunteering with SAFE in 2013, both with a regular feeding shift and also lending my skills as an equine veterinary technician whenever I could. I truly enjoy every person I have met through this organization and look forward to that feeding shift every single week!

What do you do outside of SAFE: 

Outside of SAFE, I am a licensed vet tech at a non-profit small animal shelter. I have always been torn between equine and shelter medicine, and I believe I have found the best of both worlds with my current situation. When I’m not involved with animal rescue in one form or another, you will usually find me enjoying some sort of outdoor activity with my dog, Karma, or photographing our beautiful state.

Volunteer Coordinator: Heather Evans-Keliher

What you do:

I serve as the main point of contact for all volunteers. I schedule and maintain staffing for all 4 daily shifts at the barn. I also assist the Operations Director as needed, and work closely with the facilities manager. I coordinate the volunteer orientations and re-orientations, and also help with the quarterly SAFE open houses. This year I am also assisting in coordinating the SAFE Benefit Show and helped organize volunteers for Heart of the Horse.

How long have you been with SAFE:

I started volunteering in 02/2012, which puts me at 3+ years with this wonderful organization!

What do you do in your spare time:

I volunteer once a week at my son’s elementary school and recently started volunteering with Cocoon House. I’ve also been taking riding lesson for the last year. A fun fact about me is that I had very little horse experience until I started volunteering with SAFE!

Foster Coordinator: Eileen Carrel

What you do: 

I serve as the main contact point for SAFE’s foster homes. I manage the incoming foster applications and oversee site checks to hopefully grow our base of available foster homes. I manage the reimbursement of covered costs and stipends as well as any day-to-day questions that arise caring for SAFE’s foster horses. If there is an emergency I am obviously available in addition to our other Operations Team members.

How long have you been with SAFE: 

I have been a foster home for SAFE since February of 2012. Three of SAFE’s horses have been under my care (as well as my husband’s) and we enjoy the whinnies, nickers, occasional antics, and general companionship the foster horses provide in spades.

How long have you been with SAFE: 

We have also run the hunter ring at the SAFE Benefit show for several years now. It is nice to work as a part of the show and understand what it takes to run a ring vs. always being a competitor.

What do you do outside of SAFE:

My husband and I both ride and we have one horse currently at Archway Equestrian Sports in Woodinville. We have competed in the hunter, equitation, jumper, and dressage rings between us. We have done a bit of everything! I work for fun at a local Appaloosa show barn because it is allot easier to keep fit at a barn than it is to motivate yourself to get to a gym in my experience. Outside of horses I serve on a King County Board working to ensure the preservation of the Snoqualmie Watershed.

Facilities Manager: Jeanne Stine

What you do: 

As Facilities Manager, I oversee the day-to-day maintenance needs of our stable, attend to the needs of our horses and support our valued volunteers.

 How long have you been with SAFE: 

I started volunteering at SAFE in 2014 after completing a 43 year nursing career. The last 20 years were focused on hospice nursing at the Evergreen Hospice Center in Kirkland. I cared for people who were in distress and often unable to articulate their needs. I’ve found that volunteering at SAFE, although very different from nursing, also has many common themes. Our horses come to us with physical and emotional wounds, often in distress, and unable to articulate their needs as well. I love being able to care for our four legged “patients” and improve their quality of life.

Marketing Coordinator: Shonnessy Gilmore

What you do: 

The Marketing Committee works to get exposure for all the horses in our care, through traditional and electronic media, with the goal of finding all our horses their forever homes.

How long have you been with SAFE: 

I started marketing the SAFE horses in 2012, and has been lucky enough to add some very dedicated members to her team over the years.

What do you do outside of SAFE:

Outside of SAFE, I’m the Director of Safety and Health for JR Hayes Corp., and I spend my free time enjoying my 23 year old mare, Starla.

Alumni Program Manager: Shar Conner

What you do: 

When SAFE rescues a horse, it makes a commitment to that horse for the horse’s entire life — once a SAFE horse, always a SAFE horse! As the manager of the SAFE Alumni Program, I’m responsible for following up and staying in contact with horses that have “graduated” from SAFE’s program and with the people that have adopted those horses. This includes arranging regular follow up site visits for every horse that SAFE has rescued, rehabilitated, and placed.

How long have you been with SAFE: 

I have been part of the SAFE family since Spring 2012. I served on the SAFE Board of Directors from 2013 to 2014.

What do you do outside of SAFE:

When I’m not working at Seattle Children’s Hospital or volunteering at SAFE, I enjoy hiking with my husband and dog and doing crafty things like scrapbooking and making greeting cards to send to families and friends.

 

Adoption Coordinator: This role is still to be filled and at this time our Operations Director, Terry Phelps, is filling this role with the help of her adoption team.