Animal Aid Staff
Ashly Dale
Executive Director
(she/her)
Furry sidekick: Tucker the dog and Leonard & Penny the cats
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Plants, baking all the delicious desserts, and the outdoors.
When not at Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: Exploring the amazing trails the PNW has to offer or sipping wine at a local, dog friendly wine bar with the best pup, Tucker.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: That they not only care about and help the animals, but also their caretakers, who may need extra assistance. They truly work to keep animals with their families and in forever homes.
Joe Martinez
Animal Care Manager
(he/him)
Furry sidekicks: Orin the cat, Trey the three-legged cat (an Animal Aid alum!), and Rio the cat.
In addition to animals, he is passionate about: Cinema, reading, science fiction, and nature.
When not at Animal Aid, he’s likely to be found: Hiking, playing video games, or eating at a vegan restaurant.
His favorite thing about Animal Aid: That the cats and dogs all find amazing homes and are well take care of without being in cages while they wait for a caring person to find them.
Julie Rodriguez
Volunteer & Finance Manager
(she/her)
Furry sidekick: Sugar the cat
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Music, the great outdoors, social justice, and vegan food!
When not at Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: Listening to music at some hip venue, cooking delicious vegan food in her kitchen, on the trail in the woods or on her bicycle around town, or hanging out with her teen, Jax!
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: When an animal comes into the shelter that is shy or has experienced some trauma and is transformed not only by the care they receive, but the affection and love showered on them by the dedicated volunteers and staff.
Sara Jason
Dog Foster & Adoption Coordinator
Furry sidekicks: Reko (pronounced “Rico”), a senior Chow Chow mix, and Rose, a special needs cat.
In addition to animals, they are passionate about: Mental health and finding time to overcome the compassion fatigue that commonly accompanies working in animal welfare.
When not at Animal Aid, she is likely to be found: With Reko at the dog park, at home reading, or looking for a fun outing around town!
Board of Directors
Beth Ernst
President
(she/her)
Furry sidekicks: Boe, Mogh, Rue and Vega (the cats) and Tyson (the dog)—all Animal Aid alumni!
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Volunteer service! Beth spent four years in a volunteer service program working with kids.
When not at work or Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: At home working on art and craft projects.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: All her fur babies, foster dogs, and furever kitties!
Julie Kujawa
Vice President
(she/her)
Furry sidekick: Her very talkative (and former stray) cat, Cocoa.
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Making a positive impact in the lives of others, reading, gardening, cooking, and travel.
When she’s not at work or Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: Gardening at her plot in the community garden. She also volunteers at the Produce for People plot: They grow and harvest organic produce that is then donated to the Neighborhood House food pantry, feeding over 1,400 people a month.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: The organization’s dedication to finding the right match for each animal and our lifelong commitment.
Molly Christison
Secretary
(she/her)
Furry sidekick: Shea the cat, an Animal Aid alum!
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Traveling, running, traveling for running, books, and (of course) food.
When she’s not at work or Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: Running around Portland with her Rose City Track Club teammates.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: Watching humans find their furry soulmates. Animal Aid’s commitment to not only finding a home for our animals, but the right home, is something that’s been really special to participate in over the last several years.
Sara Winick-Brown
Treasurer
(she/her)
Furry sidekick: Her roommate’s dog, Evie (featured above, sleeping in her arms 💙).
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Personal finance, real estate, travel, eating, gardening, and being outside.
When she’s not at work or Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: Working in my garden, eating or cooking, sleeping, or talking (in her own words, “I talk a lot!”)
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: The animals! The shelter holds a special place in Sara’s heart because she used to live down the street from it and volunteered there as a kid.
Tina Arth
Board Member
(she/her)
Furry sidekicks: Opie the dog and Sheldon the dog, both Animal Aid foster failures!
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: The theater—not acting or directing, but sometimes producing with Theatre in the ‘hood. And then there’s reviewing! Her current beat is six community theaters and three professional theaters. Check out her writing at Westside Theatre Reviews.
When not at Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: At home with her pups, watching a play, or hanging out with theater folk.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: The lifetime commitment to all of the animals in our care.
Janet Black
Board Member
(she/her)
Furry sidekicks: Higgins the cat, Dave the cat (an Animal Aid alum!), and Poppy and Pippa the kittens.
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Scotland and soccer.
When she’s not at work or Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: At the beautiful Oregon coast or scheming how to get there.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: The sense of community that can be found when you share a common purpose, and the life long commitment Animal Aid makes to each animal that comes through our doors.
Cheryl Bolotin
Board Member
(she/her)
Furry sidekicks: Clyde the dog and Kiwi the cat (an Animal Aid alum!).
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Gardening, spending time with family and friends, and her furry sidekick.
When she’s not at work or Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: In her garden.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: Everyone! From staff to volunteers to the board, their passion for the animals in unprecedented!
Jasmine Boris
Board Member
(she/her)
Furry sidekick: Poppy the sassy cat and the dynamic dog duo, Toaster and Clover.
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: All things outdoors!
When she’s not at work or Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: At the pottery studio, with her plants, or on a trail.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: Seeing animals come out of their shell.