Meet our dedicated & passionate team

President, Founder, & Duke’s Mom

Samantha has always had a love for all animals. Having nine rescue animals in her home at one point in time, she understands the need and importance of people offering a helping hand. To put it simply, rescue has become her passion. Samantha has been involved in the rescue world in varying capacities for the past 6 years, always dreaming to create one of her own someday that could have a larger impact. Duke was one of her rescue animals; a redbone coonhound that sadly left this world in February of 2022. Though wracked with grief and sadness, the need for human advocates for animals continued and she decided it was time to put rescue and animal welfare at the forefront- in honor of Duke. Her mission is to share his story, support others to find companionship with animals in need and to protect as many animals from homelessness, abuse and neglect as she can.

If love could’ve saved you Dukey, you would’ve lived forever.

Director

Kate Howard is a Vermont native who has always been passionate about animals and helping others. As a kid, it wasn't uncommon to find Kate playing with the neighborhood stray, at a friend's farm milking cows, or conducting proper burials for squirrels who had been hit by cars. There's not an animal Kate isn't drawn to. She met her soul dog, Calvin, 8 years ago after experiencing a season of loss and grief. Calvin had gone through the same, losing his caretaker and his k9 father simultaneously. Inseparable from the very beginning, leashes weren't in the vocabulary; he moved like her shadow. He's continued to be a solid object in an ever changing world and has become a strong yet patient household mentor to his dog siblings, Chief and Bella as well as his human sibling Louanna. Kate received a BA in Psychology from the University of Vermont and is in her 5th year at an independent school where she works as a Behavior Interventionist. Kate is a firm believer in communities coming together to take care of all things living. Calvin taught Kate true patience and love and it is because of him she is passionate about uniting humans who need animals with animals who need humans.

Director

Jennie and her husband, Josh, have two amazing pups. Remington is a 6 year old English Black Lab who loves nothing more than hunting ducks and snuggling in bed. Hobbes stole the hearts of the Corrigan household in 2020 while staying as a VT Dog Rescue foster. With his giant paws, floppy ears, and goofy personality, there was never a doubt he was a forever addition. Both Remington and Hobbes are the best big siblings to their little brother Hadley who loves to be gentle with his dogs. As dog foster parents, Jennie and Josh have loved 8 different dogs, connecting all of them to their forever homes where they are flourishing in their Vermont environments.

Jennie has worked with children and families in the Vermont community for over 10 years and is also currently a student in the University of Vermont Masters of Social Work program. Jennie values the importance of individuals feeling heard and safe in order to heal. Jennie is interested in finding ways to connect the needs of the community to the animals we will help to support everyone’s growth towards health, well-being, safety, and love.

Board Member

​​Hillary lives in St. Albans with 8 cats and one puppy. She also has two boys who are 7 and 8. She wanted to join Friends of Duke because she has a passion for helping animals and knows there is a real need for rescues in Vermont, especially with the stray animal population. She has adopted 6 cats from a local rescue and each one of them have been the most loving, caring, kind animals. She adopted one senior cat that was 10 and was a stray. She had him at 6 months when she found out he had kidney cancer and lost him, but in those six months he slept in bed with her family every night and followed her wherever she went. She is glad her family was able to show him love and compassion and that he got to live the rest of his life in a happy home. She really wants to be able to help more animals find their loving forever homes.

Board Member

Liz is a native Vermonter and seven-year resident of Burlington. She owns and operates a dog camp and pet sitting business in Chittenden county and has done so since April of 2016. In addition to being a lifelong animal lover & pet owner, she also has a degree in veterinary technology. Liz has four dogs of her own, Copperfield a retired Greyhound, Frank a Chihuahua/Pit mix, Annie a Heeler/Pit mix and Squid a Walker Hound/Husky mix. After so many years loving animals (especially dogs) Liz is excited to amplify that passion in her work with this rescue.