Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter

Traci Weller, Executive Director

A lifelong animal lover, Traci found her way to the profession of animal welfare by way of nonprofit management and volunteerism.  Prior to serving as Executive Director at Heart of the Valley, she served on the Shelter’s Board of Directors and chaired the PR & Marketing Committee and Woofstock – A Celebration of Pets, Love and Happiness.   Traci has her BA in Political Science from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado and in 2004 she received designation as a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) from CFRE International.  She has been involved with nonprofit management for over 18 years, mostly in higher education, working for such institutions as the University of Colorado, the Colorado School of Mines, and most recently, Montana State University.  

When not working at the shelter, Traci enjoys spending time with her husband, Kevin and their two dogs.  An avid reader, she tries to keep up with her book club too, and given a free moment outside of that, loves hiking in beautiful Montana. Although an Idahoan by birth, Traci now resides in Gallatin County.  She enjoys and is challenged daily by her two dogs: both Labrador Retrievers, Tonka, who, just like the name, is built to play; and Couder, a trained and certified avalanche rescue dog.   

Along with empathy and concern, Traci brings to Heart of the Valley devotion and respect for animals and people alike as well as the deep desire to continue to learn all she can in order to provide compassionate care for the abandoned, abused, lost and homeless animals.

What Traci likes about Bozeman and HOV is "I believe that Bozeman and the greater Gallatin County is a wonderful community in which to live and work. Being able to combine a love of animals with my work - creating a better quality of life for our animals - is special."

Email Traci at traci@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 102.

Angela Sandoval, Operations Director

When Angela moved to Bozeman 4 years ago from California, she discovered it was the perfect time to make a dramatic career change and follow her heart into the world of animal welfare. During her time at Heart of the Valley, Angela has worked in fundraising, volunteer management, education, and is now settling into her new role in operations.

Angela lives with her husband Josh and her three mutts Corvus, Chuck and Ellie in Bozeman. Besides her work with animals at the shelter, Angela enjoys walking her dogs around town, watching movies, reading, and doing crosswords. What she likes best about Bozeman: “It’s such a dog town – one or two in the back of every car going somewhere fun and beautiful to play. We’re a big enough town to have great cultural amenities, and yet we still preserve that small town feel. And I’m extremely proud of the world class animal shelter our community comes together to support.”

Email Angela at angela@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 103

Dr. Crista DeJoia, Staff Veterinarian

Crista received her DVM from Kansas State University in 2000. After working in small animal practices in Washington and Idaho for four years, she accepted a postdoctoral research position at Montana State University. For three years, she conducted research on the transmission modes of prion diseases, specifically Chronic Wasting Disease. Crista accepted the position of HOV staff veterinarian in May 2007.

“Shelter medicine is an interesting mix of herd health management and individual animal medicine. I enjoy it because I can use both my small animal practice experience and research expertise. It feels great to make a positive difference in the lives of so many animals”.

Crista lives in Three Forks with her husband Aaron and two children, Sophia and Isaac. They love to hike, bike, garden and hang out with their two rescued Border Collies and three rescued cats.

Email Crista at crista@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 108

Kathryn Hohmann, Development Director

Kathryn grew up in Minnesota and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota. She worked as a writer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, then managed publications for a division of Miller Publishing/ABC. Kathryn moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the Sierra Club as a communications professional and lobbyist. For more than a decade, she represented the national environmental organization before Congress and the national news media, concentrating on clean water, clean air and emergency management issues as they relate to our communities’ health. After moving to Bozeman, Kathryn was on staff at the American Red Cross of Montana, traveling statewide for the disaster relief services as a fundraiser and media consultant. She loves reading and writing and is co-author of a textbook on climate change and emergency management (CRC Press), and an anthology on women and horses (Seal Press). Her writing has been featured in many national magazines and newspapers.

Kathryn has ridden horses for many years and competed her horse, Nip, in eventing and jumping in Montana. She’s now training her Australian Shepherd, Cody, in agility and plans to compete with him in summer, 2010. Kathryn loves living here because people are active, energetic, and engaged in our community. Also, the low level of humidity in the air keeps her hair from becoming overly curly.

Email Kathryn at kathryn@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 106

Kari Chiocchi, Volunteer & Education Manager

Kari grew up on the shores of East Bearskin Lake, located in northern Minnesota, near a small town called Grand Marais. Childhood was great in the north woods  growing up at her parents resort that featured canoeing, cross country skiing, hiking, swimming, fishing and family fun in a wilderness setting right on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Considering the first word that came out of kari’s mouth was “kitty” she is quite confident her fascination with animals started early.

Kari moved to Bozeman to attend Montana State University in 2003. She started working at the Heart of the Valley in 2005 as a feline and canine technician and helped with the big move into the new facility in 2007. She worked as a Veterinary Assistant for one year at a local Veterinarian clinic and then returned to HOV in early 2009 and has remained there since.

Kari resides in Bozeman with her husband Dustin and their two dogs Bob and Bella, three cats Lilly, Suzie, and Bowie, three cockatiels Oscar, Archimedes, and Theia, and seven chickens Spaz, Bubbles, Fork, Samsquanch, Peeps, Sunshine, and Marley.  

Email Kari at volunteer@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 105

Ben Donoghue, Canine Evaluator and Trainer

On May 2, 1977, the soon to be bearded, Benjamin Paul Donoghue took his first breath.  In his younger years, growing up in the small New Hampshire town of Mason, Ben filled his days with exploring the outdoors capturing snakes, frogs, toads, and newts.  The arrivals of a brother(Sam), sister(Rebekah) springer spaniel(Addie) and a long haired white cat(Tuffy one) brought added fun to his outdoor adventures.  After ten years of small town livin the family moved to the big city (pop.100,000) of Manchester N.H.  After completing High School with O.K. grades Ben stayed in the Granite State to complete 5 years at the University of New Hampshire.  While attending this institute of higher education Ben frequented the famed White Mountains and the rocky shores of Maine all the while yearning for canine companionship.            

In August of 2001 Ben hit the Long Trail of Vermont for reflection and to find direction.  The next three years of his life were filled with living and working outside with the Montana Conservation Corps and the Appalachian Mountain Club.  The last of these three years is what brought him to the Gallatin Valley and were he adopted his first dog Annay (Alaskan Husky) at the Gallatin Valley Humane Society (now Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter).  After a year or so of measly jobs to get by Ben applied to the organization where he found his beloved dog, for the often forgotten yet very important, position of Kennel Technician.  The benefits of helping animals and people in need has kept Ben hanging around.  “The feeling you get after watching the process of an animal arrive with no hope in their eyes, then begin to trust, and become confident, and then look into that adopters heart to find mutual understanding is priceless.”

Ben is currently 5’11” 175lbs.

He resides with his wife Kristen Wolf, a son Ezekiel Wolf Donoghue, three dogs Oly, Jedi, and Raven and cat Syrius.

Email Ben at behaviorist@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 122

Beth Harper, Canine Supervisor

Email Beth at canine@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 110

Lorri Nielsen, Medical Coordinator

After graduating from MSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science, Lorri wanted a chance to put her degree to use after many years in retail. She began working at the Humane Society of Gallatin Valley, now known as Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter. She has done nearly every job at the shelter since starting over 11 years ago, finally settling into the role of Medical Coordinator.

Lorri is at home in the Four Corners area with her husband Dave and daughter Kayla. They share their lives with only one dog (only for for now), Quinn, one cat, Brett, a new kitten BB, and Kayla's horse Walt.

Email Lorri at vettech@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 109.

Mary Wilhelm, Office Manager

Email Mary at accounting@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 107

Molly Cayer, Canine and Feline Technician

Molly has been an animal lover since the day she was born! She grew up in New Hampshire always having at least three animals in her home. She attended a boarding high school in beautiful Maine, then off to college in New Brunswick, Canada, and to another college in Oklahoma. Molly didn’t feel content where she was, so she decided she needed a change. She drove up to Montana to visit her brother, and like so many other Bozeman residents, Molly just couldn’t leave! She was employed by Heart of the Valley and was so excited. “Finally, I can put my love of animals to work!” She worked at the old shelter, trying to make the best of it for the animals in those poor living conditions. “It’s such a relief that now our dogs don’t have to sleep outside in our freezing winter nights.”

What Molly loves about Bozeman is the small town feel, breathtaking views, and all the wonderful hiking trails. She loves working at the shelter because “even though it can be emotionally difficult at times, it’s such a great feeling to see a dog or a cat get adopted into a new loving home.”

When not at work, Molly enjoys hiking, swimming, music, reading, biking, floating, and playing pool.

She resides in Bozeman with her best friend, Bart, a black lab she adopted from Heart of the Valley.

Jessica Groseth, Development Associate

Jessica is originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, but followed her love of the mountains west to Salt Lake City, where she attended college at the University of Utah. After graduating with degrees in Environmental Studies and Geography, she spent a few years enjoying Utah's famous snow before she and her husband, Peder, moved to Bozeman in 2006. Jessica enjoys rock climbing, snowboarding, telemark skiing and trail running, especially when she is accompanied by her two dogs, Berkeley and Maverick.

Jessica worked in development at the Central Asia Institute before joining Heart of the Valley in May 2008. She loves fundraising to support the homeless animals at HOV, and wishes she could adopt every dog in the shelter. Jessica's favorite things about Bozeman are the plentiful trails, dog-friendly attitudes, and great skiing!

Email Jessica at jess@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 112

Megan Flamm, Customer Service

Megan was born and raised in Sheridan Montana, right in the middle of the beautiful Ruby Valley. She was raised an only child but grew up with horses, pigs, sheep, cows, chickens, birds, rabbits, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs and fish. After high school, Megan moved to Bozeman to attend college where she graduated with degrees in Ancient Antiquity history and teaching. After a short teaching experience in Tacoma, Washington, Megan moved back to beautiful Bozeman where she knew she’d be happy.

Megan loves Montana and still considers herself a Madison County resident as she was inducted into the Pioneers of Montana last fall which means her family has been in Montana since 1850 or earlier. Megan enjoys floating, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, riding horses, four wheeling and enjoying the wonderful summers Bozeman has to offer.

Erica, Lead Canine Technician

Hi. My name is Farfles. I was a resident of HOV in 2008. I was only here for a few months until I found my new forever home with Erica and her family. She took me in and has given me a wonderful second chance in life, so I am going to take a moment to tell you all about my Mom.

Mom was born in Michigan. She is the daughter of Phil and Gwen and younger sister to Jessica. Life on the farm in Michigan was too much time away from family, so they moved back to the great state of Ohio. Hinckley (The Worlds Most Famous Township due to the annual return of the buzzards) became home. While in high school, Mom met Michael the guy I now know as Dad. After graduation from Highland High, they went to AthensOhio, not Greece, to become Ohio University Bobcats. She majored in biological scienceswhich she has really not utilized, but at least she can say she is a college graduate.

After college, they married and Dad joined the US Navy. While in the Navy, they lived in Newport, RI, where they adopted my brother Ike, San Diego, where they adopted my late brother Oscar, and Butte, where they adopted my two sisters Lilly and Sitka. Mom has had a few jobs working in veterinary clinics and boarding kennels and volunteered at the Chelsea Bailey Butte Animal Shelter. Upon parting ways with the military, Dad got a new job that took them to Three Forks and Mom to Heart of the Valley, which worked out great for me!

Mom has a passion for collecting, and not just dogs. You name it, odds are for some reason she collects it! In her free time she also thoroughly enjoys antiquing, cross stitching, quilting, auctioning, and caring for me and my siblings. Fall is her favorite time of the year and Halloween her favorite holiday. She attributes the fondness for both to being an October baby.

Mom is not as brave as co-worker Ben, shell keep her height and weight to herself.

Bev, Lead Feline Technician

Jared, Feline Technician

Blaine, Feline and Canine Technician

Diane, Feline Technician

Diane was born in St Louis, Mo in 1960, but grew up in Dallas, TX until moving to Oregon in the early 1980’s.  While in Oregon, Diane worked in the high tech business until moving to Montana in 2000.  She finally found the career position that matched her personality at Heart of the Valley Shelter.  Diane has been with Heart of the Valley for approximately 2 years and loves working with the animals.  She especially enjoys helping the animals find loving and caring homes.  Please feel free to contact Diane to assist you in matching you to a pet to love and care for.

Sonya, Canine Technician

Peggy, Feline Technician

Peggy is a second generation Montanan, and loves to fly fish.

Amanda Davidson, Customer Service/Feline Technician

Amanda was born and raised in Owings, Maryland on the east coast. At 13, her family moved out west to Bozeman, where she began high school. She attended college in Missoula at the University of Montana, and graduated with a degree in Creative Writing and Literature in 2003. In an attempt to put her degree to good use, she joined AmeriCorps in Seattle after college. She lived in Seattle for six years and found herself gravitating towards her passion in life, animals. Along with many other animal-oriented jobs, she worked as a veterinary assistant for three years at a Seattle veterinary hospital.

Recently, Amanda moved back to Bozeman to be closer to her family. She is so happy to be working at Heart of the Valley and to be making a difference in the lives of Gallatin Valley's homeless animals. When she is not at work, Amanda enjoys acting, singing, reading, watching movies and hiking. She is proudly owned by a 9 year old miniature dachshund named Cleo, whom she adores.

Tony Marcuzzo, Canine and Feline Technician