Where to begin… Robin has always had a love for animals since she was just a little girl. Though challenged in the beginning by what she’d been exposed to in the rescue world, her love has grown in to a “passion” and she realized there was no longer a choice and her purpose is to save as many dogs as she can. The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milan is her favorite show; she recognized how critical it is to learn and share awareness of rehabilitating dogs and training people.
Robin had been saving dogs on her own and through other rescue groups for 5+ years when she finally decided to grow her own rescue and spread selflessness to these precious creatures who give and teach us so much as therapy dogs, military dogs and companion dogs. She believes in unconditional love, tolerance, forgiveness, educating children on how to respect and be responsible, opening our hearts and so much more. Her experiences through the years have proved how special these animals are. She is a huge advocate against animal abuse or neglect, and stands for tough laws for the voiceless.
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Shanie currently lives in Underhill, VT after moving from Alexandria, VA in 2011. Like many of us, Shanie grew up with dogs and has been actively supporting and volunteering with dog rescues since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Shanie has fostered countless dogs over that time.
From 2005-2011, Shanie fostered with a Virginia-based rescue called Homeward Trails, working with them from the ground up. Shanie was often given the more “difficult” dogs because she and her two large breed rescue dogs were quite the training pack! From 2011-2012, after moving to Vermont, Shanie worked with a newly formed NYC-based rescue and ended up having to adopt one of her foster dogs due to behavioral issues. It was then, in 2012, that Shanie had to stop fostering and focus on this girl (Lizie) and her older dogs. Lizie was worth every second of time spent rehabbing her.
Shanie volunteered with another local Vermont rescue in 2015 by taking dogs to various events and for outings. Shanie also actively supports saving dogs in NYC, across the South, California, Texas, the Caribbean, and right here in VT.
In June 2022, after Lizie passed, Shanie reached out to Passion for Paws, and Robin welcomed her into the P4P family!
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Anna grew up in Massachusetts with two Golden Retrievers. She has always loved animals. In fact, she and her sister would rescue animals, from snakes to iguanas, mice, and rats to kittens, and hide them in their home to care for. Anna has also had guinea pigs, rabbits, and cats to love as well.
At 21, Anna moved to Vermont to pursue her career as a paralegal. At that time, she met her husband. They soon adopted their first puppy, Rylee, a boxer/lab mix. Not long after, they decided it was time for dog #2, which is when they rescued their basset hound/lab mix, Max. Max taught Anna and her husband the importance of rescue. Max was malnourished, sick, and abused when he arrived in Vermont. After a lot of time, patience, and compassion, Max made huge strides in their home and became part of the family.
A few years later, after purchasing their first home in Swanton, Anna and her husband rescued their third dog, Mia, a multi-time foster return. Mia was the black dog that was very scared, and no one wanted, so that is exactly the kind of dog Anna and her husband decided to take home.
For years, those three dogs, Anna’s husband, and her stepson were her world. However, in 2021 Rylee died unexpectedly in a tragic accident. Devastated and heartbroken, Anna threw herself into searching for more dogs to help (both for them and to help heal her heart). In the span of a year, Anna and her family adopted Peanut – a Border Collie, Harlee – a Blue Heeler, and Ruger – a German Shepherd.
In 2023, Anna met Robin and immediately jumped on the opportunity to volunteer with Passion 4 Paws. Since, Anna has taken on many projects, but most notably, Marketing Team Leader. Because of how much Anna enjoys being creative and technology, on top of her love for dogs, marketing for Passion 4 Paws is her dream “job”!
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Dogs have always had a special place in Shanna’s heart. As a child she would leave pleading notes and pictures around the house, begging her parents to get a dog…She wouldn’t settle for a hamster or a cat! Something about dogs has touched her heart from the very beginning. Her family eventually welcomed Midge, a German Shepherd, into the family.
While in Massachusetts, she volunteered at high kill shelters—socializing and walking the pups in hopes they would get adopted. She also showed AKC dogs for a family friend and became quite a dog breed nerd.
As an adult, Shanna adopted a young American Bulldog, Kayda. Kayda was one of those dogs that filled your heart and drove you mad, all in about 3 seconds. It’s through the trials and tribulations of raising a bully breed dog, that she fell in love with them. In 2019, at 12 years old Kayda was diagnosed with a heart tumor and it was then, in her sudden absence, that Shanna realized a home isn’t a home without a dog. Although her heart was broken after losing her first fur baby, she knew she had a lot of love to give. Her first foster with Passion 4 Paws, Juno (FKA Bruno) was a foster fail within the first week. She then started volunteering at transport and was hooked. After a few successful fosters, she failed again and Hazel (FKA Angel) joined the Brady family.
Shanna now focuses on events. She is overjoyed to be a part of helping save dogs in need and often refers to her work at Passion 4 Paws as her soul medicine.
Contact ShannaPICTURE & BIO COMING SOON!!!
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Katie has loved dogs all her life. She is one of those annoying people who can’t let a dog pass by without stopping you to ask what kind of dog it is, how old, and if it can be pet — takes a long time to walk up Church Street!
Kate grew up with a Boarder Terrier named Ida who was her best friend. She graduated from UVM in 2003 and was a full-time dental hygienist in Burlington until 2024. Shortly after graduation, she met her husband and together they got a dog. At 23 and 27 years old they had no idea what they were in for. He was a terrier mix and his name was Duncan. Through trial and error with Duncan, they learned a lot about how to handle the unexpected. He was the center of their lives for 12 years. In 2014 he died suddenly and unexpectedly. They were at a loss. Unsure if they were ready for another dog yet or what type of dog they were looking for fostering seemed like a great idea.
On July 4, 2015, they met their first foster at transport. His name was Brodie and 4 days later they officially adopted him. A few months later they were ready for another foster. Taco came off transport underweight and scared, but tail wagging. Taco was adopted by them 2 weeks later. Both Brodie and Taco were hours away from euthanasia when Passion 4 Paws stepped in and saved them. Taco needed expensive veterinary care to treat heartworm which the rescue covered. If it weren’t for Passion 4 Paws, Brodie and Taco would not be here. Katie and JP volunteer with Passion 4 Paws to help give other dogs a chance at finding their happily ever afters.
Katie now owns her own dog training business, 802 K9, and assists Passion 4 Paws with their training needs.
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