Meet the Founders!

As one of the Founders and President of the Pawsitive Ripples Effect Project, I am incredibly grateful to work within this program because it bridges together my values and passions. 

While working in the youth & social services field for the last 20 years, I have gained a wealth of experiential knowledge.  I have a Trauma Informed Services certificate from Portland State University.  

Over the years I built a reputation for looking creatively at how to meet the needs of participants and staff while managing consistent programming and bring empathy into the daily approach.  

As a leader I always highlight the value of self care, as well as community team care, to be authentic in this work.  I'm excited that Pawsitive Ripples Effect Project's focus builds life-long coping skills and connections.

People often share after working with me, they have learned to clearly understand trauma informed care, not just in concept, but as genuine practice.  I strongly believe that the tenets of trauma informed practices are essential not only in supporting people, but also for dogs who are misunderstood and have lived through rough experiences.  I understand trauma from different angles, both helping people through it and living through it.

I love to be out in nature, but especially amidst all things ocean.  Every year I participate in beach cleanups, with my dog trailing alongside me of course.  It's fun to be out there, but it's also taught me a great deal about how we connect with the natural world.  People protect what they truly love and feel connected to.  Whether I'm taking in the view on a hike, camera in hand, or jumping around the waves, I want to interact in a way that can give back to the natural spaces that have given me so much.   

I am one of the Founders and the Vice President of Operations of the Pawsitive Ripples Effect Project.

Anyone who knows me can tell you I love dogs, but they may not know some of the reasons that led to the creation of this nonprofit.  I find that when going through tough times, caring for dogs can give us a reason and ability to see value in ourselves.  Simply being with a dog can always give us some joy.  They can be counted on to be nonjudgmental.  At the same time, dogs have vulnerable experiences and need our care in providing positive connections too.

Over the last decade working with youth, young adults, and veterans experiencing homelessness, I have seen effective trauma informed care in action as people struggle to heal from what they've been through.  People don't need to share all the details of their trauma in order to heal.  Both my work experiences and my lived experiences have shown me that what is most needed is safety: safe relationships, connections, and safe ways to cope.   I respect the opportunity and process in creating trust with those I work with. 

I have an Associates of Applied Science degree in Mental Health & Human Services with a certificate as a Behavioral Health Care Specialist from Mt. Hood Community College.  Throughout my college program, my lived experience was honored.  I gained so much from my education there because of how empowering that was and I carry that approach into my work.  

Outside of work I am a proud mom: a mom of 5 kids and a dog mom.  All of my dogs over the years have been rescues.  I want to share with my kids, and the youth I work with, healthy ways to cope when the world is tough.  That can be found spending time around dogs and it can be found spending time out in nature.  I could spend hours listening to the sound of running water at a creek side or the crashing waves at the coast.  It helps me stay centered, finding focus and calm.   Sharing these connections and providing support is a way I can give back to the world.

Bailey is one of the inspirations to the start of Pawsitive Ripples Effect Project.  Always a special friend and invaluable support through tough times and fun adventures, he was a great companion as we worked through the steps of making this program a reality.

As a rescue himself, he had a stressful start to life bouncing between unstable homes and the humane society.  He was an energetic and sensitive Border Collie mix, so with the stress he endured and lack of socialization provided, he had some fears and challenging behaviors when he found his forever home. Many dogs with similar behavioral issues keep getting returned, but he taught us the value of not giving up on an animal who has struggles. He taught us to be mindful of the trauma rescue dogs have endured, and with patience, love and positive training, they can grow to be their best selves.  Over the years he taught us so much, including lessons about trust, patience, and unconditional love.

Through socialization he grew to enjoy making new dog & human friends.  He was a trusted Emotional Support Animal for his person. Known to be a favorite visitor to social service provider meetings, he provided emotional support to many as they processed trauma. He would gently or playfully check-in on people; he seemed to know what was most needed.  His happiness and calm was contagious.  A total goofball, he was always great for making people smile and laugh too.

Bailey loved being outdoors, especially around water. He absolutely lit up when he got to run in ocean waves. There is no doubt that having the opportunity to be in nature and play in water made Bailey happy over the years, helping him to be more secure, and an overall amazing dog.   Not only did he have a blast on his adventures outdoors, but his many hikes & ocean trips definitely strengthened his bonds and his ability to trust his people too.

If we asked Bailey to explain himself, he would have just said, "After you throw my ball."  Then, tired from it all, he'd just curl up next to you making life's stresses slip away.

  Bolty James was a pit bull who, above all else, loved his family. He had a chill personality, yet walked through the world with a protective presence. It came not from aggression, but from the love and safety he wanted for others around him. Bolt is absolutely an Inspirational Member of the Pawsitive Ripples Effect Project. He shared so much with all of us, so we will continue to share him with the world here.  

He was an emotional support animal and friend. His kindness could soothe even the heaviest days that were hard to put into words. Bolt had amazing intuition and could sense when people were hurting and needed that extra comfort. All it took sometimes was his presence and cuddles to feel better. Likely his obedient quality came from wanting to make things easier for his person. 

Always walking with his head held high, he approached the world with confidence and he helped people to tackle their own obstacles feeling more confident too. 

Some of the top values of this program are informed by lessons we learned from having the privilege to have Bolty James as part of our lives. An invaluable lesson he taught was how to always show up for those you love.  He started out as a pet, but he was so faithful, he made himself forever a part of the family.  He taught us to accept that everyone deserves to go at their own pace to feel safe with others. Often people who had a fear of dogs, felt safe with Bolt.  He was the one dog they loved that slowly created comfort with other dogs. 

Being such a gentle sweetheart, he taught people to challenge breed specific stereotypes. Pit Bulls are frequently misunderstood and Pawsitive Ripples Effect Project prioritizes safety, but will not be a breed exclusive program.

If we asked Bolt to explain himself, his explanation may have aligned more as a person than a dog. His hobbies didn’t include the typical fetch, but his favorite things tended to include car rides, a special cheeseburger, his warm, stylish sweater and blankies and curling up to binge watch movies with his forever family.  Bolty James was worth so much to all who knew him.