EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sarah has 24 years of experience in the nonprofit world including extensive experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, corporate relations, event management, database management, graphic design, communications, and marketing. Sarah had her own personal growth experience when she adopted her pup Quiggley in 2017 from the Oregon Humane Society. She learned firsthand the challenges of training an adult dog and expanded her own patience and compassion during that process.

Sarah has completed the Fear Free Shelter Program Training is currently taking Trish McMillan’s Shelter Dog Behavior Mentorship Course.

Sarah’s previous roles included 8 years at the Mazamas, a Portland nonprofit focused on mountain education and recreation, in roles ranging from Communications Director to Executive Director. She also spent 14 years at Saturday Academy. Sarah served on the Board of Directors of Girls on the Run of Portland Metro from 2015–2019, and was the Board President from 2018–2019, leading the organization through an Executive Director transition.

During her downtime, Sarah enjoys trail running, yoga, backpacking, volunteering at the Oregon Humane Society and spending time with her husband, and their 10-year-old pup, Quiggley, and 12-year-old kitty, Maggie.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR / LEAD TRAINER

Gabi is a graduate of Whole Dog Academy and is certified in training through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and is currently studying to take the exam for Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC.) She worked for 4 1⁄2 years for Clackamas County Dog Services (CCDS) working with the dogs in the shelter to best set them up for adoption success through training and rescue placement; she sent many dogs to Project Pooch from CCDS!

Gabi is part of the behavior and training team for OTAT, a Portland based dog rescue. She also has her own training business where she sees clients in their homes. Shelter and rescue pups are her jam, and she loves being a part of developing life skills for the Pooch youth through dog training. Gabi is mom to Fergie, a 10 year old Havanese, adopted from CCDS, and Cosmo, a 1 year old American Cocker Spaniel, adopted from B&B Rescue in Idaho.

KENNEL COORDINATOR

Tiffany has 14 years of experience working hands-on with dogs in social and kennel settings. Tiffany specializes in canine socialization and dog-on-dog interactions. Tiffany started her dog care journey working in a doggy daycare, moving on to opening and operating her own outdoor hiking dog care business for 10 years. She enjoys creating strong bonds and relationships within groups of dogs and building their confidence in the world. She is a volunteer trainer for K9 Kavalry, an organization that provides no-cost dog training and care guidance to participating veterans.

She is currently working toward her CDPT-KA certification and developing a training program to provide assistance to multi-dog households. Tiffany is excited to share her knowledge of dog behavior and welfare through the Project POOCH program. She truly believes that understanding animals and their behavior will offer us insight into ourselves and our personal challenges to help us grow.