Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter

Phil Rogers, Executive Director

Phil Rogers served as Executive Vice President of Universal Forest Products Corporation, where he worked with companies such as The Home Depot, Champion Homes and the Mead Corporation. Since moving to Bozeman from Michigan in 2004, he has been an adjunct teacher of management and marketing classes at Montana State University, has been faculty advisor for student clubs and a student athlete mentor. Rogers’ non-profit experience is also extensive.  While living in Michigan, Rogers  served as a board member for Operation Smile and the Humane Society of West Michigan. 

Since moving to Bozeman, he has been involved with the Worthy Student Scholarship, Bozeman School Foundation and Intermountain Opera Bozeman. He has also volunteered at Heart of the Valley for three years and is the voice of the kids’corral at Woofstock, the shelter’s largest annual event.  Rogers resides in Bozeman with wife Susan Paglia and daughter Christine, who attends Bozeman High School.

Phil says "The love of animals is a great equalizer. Make the choice and be involved. Our shelter dogs and cats need all the help we/you can give. Heart of the Valley is where emotions run high and miracles happen."

Email Phil at phil@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 102

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.

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

Maria Mulvaugh, Operations Director

Maria grew up in northern New York State and obtained a degree in geography from the State University of New York at Geneseo. With a lifelong love of travel, she lazed on the beaches of Mexico, studied abroad in Nepal, and taught ESL in Korea. It was a few defining experiences abroad that helped shape her love and devotion to animals. After returning to the states she relocated to Leadville, CO where she started running sled dogs. This hobby quickly grew into a great passion and she moved to Alaska to pursue running sled dogs full time, working with some of the most accomplished long distance mushers. Maria left the world of dog sledding to work in animal welfare in Juneau, AK and became the Director of Operations at the Gastineau Humane Society. Later, she worked as the canine behaviorist for the Central Vermont Humane Society, before moving to Montana and eventually joining the team at Heart of the Valley as Operations Director.

Maria is a lover of animals big and small and spends her time with her son, Roan, and her two former sled dogs, Ladakh and Kobe, exploring the mountains and rivers of southwest Montana. Maria, having lived and worked in a number of places, is happy to have found a permanent home in Montana, and is proud to be raising her son as a Montanan.

Email Maria at maria@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 103

Dr. John Weyhrich, Staff Veterinarian

Dr. John Weyhrich received his veterinary degree at Colorado State University in 1991. He then received advanced training in laboratory animal medicine and pathology, which emphasized experimental surgery and transplantation. From 1993 to 1998, he served at Senior Veterinarian for a Primate Research Center in Seattle, ensuring the health of a colony of more than 1000 monkeys. Moving to Director of Animal Resources at the University of Montana, he was responsible for the oversight of the university’s animal care program. Since leaving that position in 2004, he has focused on pet and animal care at veterinary clinics in Missoula. John has many years of service for community recreation organizations in Missoula and beyond, and is a champion bike racer. He is interested in skiing, world travel and popular culture.

Email John at vet@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 109

Marissa SherKenney, Veterinary Assistant

I moved to Bozeman 5 years ago after living in New Zealand for a few years. I currently live with Mark, Motu, M and Daryl - my husband, dog, cat and fire-bellied newt. I love the outdoor recreation opportunities that Montana provides as well as quality time by the fire to knit and read a good book.

One year ago I adopted a dog from HOV. I was so impressed by the staff and the quality of animal care that they provided it made me think that HOV would be a quality organization to work for. That seed of a thought gestated in my mind until a moment arose when I decided to leave my career in Montessori education and pursue other interests. I applied for the vet tech position so that I could further my interests in both medicine and animals. Now as a HOV employee I have continued to be impressed with the staff and the organization and hope to stay involved for years to come.

Ben Donoghue, Canine Behavior Consultant

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 where 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 k9behavior@heartofthevalleyshelter.org , or call 388-9399, ext. 122

Amanda Davidson, Development Assistant

Amanda was born and raised in Owings, Maryland and at age 13, she moved with her family to Bozeman, Montana. She attended college in Missoula at the University of Montana, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. In an attempt to put her degree to good use, she joined Literacy 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.

In 2009, Amanda moved back to Bozeman. She is so happy to be working at Heart of the Valley and to be making a difference in the lives of the Gallatin and Madison valley's homeless animals. When she is not at work, Amanda enjoys acting in local theatre productions, singing, reading, writing, and hiking. She is proudly owned by a 10 year old miniature dachshund named Cleo.

Email Amanda at amanda@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 112

Beth Harper, Animal Care Manager

Beth enjoyed a childhood of living in many states and in Europe since her father was in the military. She attended college in Michigan and received a degree in Criminal Justice. After college Beth participated in a couple AmeriCorps programs: the National Civilian Community Corps where she served in the southeast, and the Montana Conservation Corps where she was based out of Great Falls. Beth moved to Montana in 2005 and considering this is the longest she has ever lived in one state, it is beginning to feel like home. Beth joined HOV in March 2008 and during that time has worked as a Kennel Technician, Canine Supervisor, and now Assistant Operations Director.

Email Beth at beth@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 104

Emily Wallace, Volunteer & Education Manager

A proud Midwesterner, Emily ironically discovered her love for mountains while attending Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Soon thereafter, she transferred to Montana State to pursue a degree in Ecology and Evolution. After graduation, Emily began a three-year journey to fulfill a rewarding series of seasonal positions. Most notably, Em spent two years in Seattle as an AmeriCorps volunteer restoring land in the urban Puget Sound. Roles at EarthCorps include supervising a field crew, running weekly volunteer events, community outreach and environmental education. The desire to work as a field technician led Emily to volunteer in Ontario, Canada, helping the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory perform its annual fall migration survey and banding of migratory song birds. Em's most recent adventure was the move to Juneau, Alaska where she spent 6-months working as a naturalist leading day hikes and whale watching tours.

When not at HOV Emily is out exploring Bozeman's trail system, learning how to fly fish, and getting as much vitamin D as possible. Emily's four legged housemates are Zucchini the cat and a dog named Mango, whom she adopted from Heart of the Valley.

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

Elle Winchester, Volunteer & Education Program Assistant

Elle is a second year Masters of Public Administration student at Montana State University.  Her Montana adventure started in 2006, when she traveled all the way from Etna, Maine to do the National Student Exchange Program at MSU, and she has stayed ever since!  Elle started volunteering at HOV in 2008 with the cat-cuddling program, where she met her forever friend Bug in 2010.  Besides volunteering, Elle loves to dance and travel, and hopes to work with a non-profit as awesome as HOV one day!

Molly Cayer, 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.

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, 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 Athens, Ohio, not Greece, to become Ohio University Bobcats. She majored in biological sciences which 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, she'll keep her height and weight to herself.

Jared, Feline and Canine Technician

Blaine, Lead Canine Technician

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

Bekah Donoghue, Lead Feline Technician

Email Bekah at feline@heartofthevalleyshelter.org, or call 388-9399, ext. 111

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.

Christian Richins, Canine Technician

Lauren Zwiefelhofer, Feline Technician

Brandon Castner, Feline Technician

Scott Zimmerman, Feline Technician

Tony Marcuzzo, Canine Technician

Jon Suman, Feline and Canine Technician

Erika Gamache, Canine Technician

Cami Boughn, Camp Director

Born and raised between Helena, and Bozeman Montana, Cami spent most of her youth playing with her younger brother and various family pets among the mountains and the rivers.  This past winter, she graduated from Montana State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education.  In Bozeman, Cami found a strong passion and love for the beauty of the outdoors.   She has evolved into an avid outdoorswoman; spending a majority of her time mountain biking, skiing, hiking, backpacking, running and rock climbing.  While attending school, Cami acted as a youth mentor for Big Sky Youth Empowerment, directed a summer camp for kids at the Salvation Army, and was a private nanny in the summers. When she is not outside, she can be found baking, crocheting, and doing yoga. She rescued Linus, a 1 year-old Border Collie mix and partner in exploration. Cami is currently teaching first grade in Wolf Point, Montana and is eager to get the summer started with summer camp at Heart of the Valley!

Lindsay Bryson, Camp Counselor

Lindsay was born and raised in San Jose, California. She grew up with her parents, sister, and family dogs. Finding her passion for horses in middle school, Lindsay started volunteering at the barn near her house. She graduated from high school in 2010 and made the move to Bozeman to pursue a degree in Equine Science. Upon realizing it was the wrong career path, she switched to English Teaching and is currently in her third year of college. Lindsay started volunteering at HOV in August 2012 as a Cat Cuddler and Dog Walker after losing her own furry friend adopted in September, 2011. Besides enjoying volunteering at HOV, Lindsay spends her free time reading, hiking, horseback riding and enjoying the outdoors. She hopes to adopte a new cat as soon as the right one comes along. Lindsay is excited to be working with Heart of the Valley as a Camp Counselor.

Megan Shaver, Camp Counselor

Megan Shaver grew up in the small, but bustling town of Whitefish, Montana. As an only-child, her four-legged family members, everything from cats, to bunnies, to horses, quickly adopted her. And so began her love for animals, big and small. After graduating from Whitefish High School, she began her quest for higher education on the East Coast, attending the University of Vermont for three semesters as a pre-nursing major. Hearing the call for bigger mountains, and less people, Megan moved back west to Bozeman, Motnana, to pursue a Sociology Major - as well as a love of the outdoors. These days Megan enjoys biking, cooking and making occasional trips to the dog park with her friend Sarah's puppy, Juniper. One day, she hopes to adopt some animals of her own, maybe when she graduates college in the spring of 2014.