Meet the Staff of WAG

Note: All email addresses are @thewagway.com

Carol Coffey- Executive Director

Carol joined WAG in October of 2003. Her role is to provide an overall strategy for organizational development of WAG. She administers shelter operations, organizes fundraising events and activities, performs administrative functions for WAG, manages the annual operating budget, implements WAG programs, and works to advance the mission and goals of WAG.

Carol has returned to WAG after taking a leave of absence in the summer of 2007.

Originally from Toronto, ON, Carol obtained a BSc. in Environmental Science from the University of Guelph in 1996. She went on to study biology at Laurentian University in Sudbury and nursing at Centennial College in Toronto. Carol's passion for working with animals and her understanding of canine behaviour began by volunteering at the Haliburton Forest Wolf Centre. She went on to work at an emergency veterinary clinic in Toronto.

Carol works at WAG because she believes in the second chance that WAG provides to animals who have been abandoned by humans. She also loves the generosity of the Whistler community and working with volunteers and local businesses who care about the animals.

Carol has developed an interest in feline behaviour and has 2 cats adopted from WAG: Mickey, adopted in 2002, and Mirabelle, adopted in 2005.

email: ccoffey

Joanne Russell- Shelter Manager & Behavioural Specialist

Joanne has been a part of WAG since September 2003.  Joanne oversees the daily operations of the shelter and coordinates animal care at WAG. Joanne is also a Certified Basic Dog Obedience Trainer.  She started her dog training career in 2001. She sets up initial training programs for the dogs to help them settle in to life in the shelter and learn skills to make them more adoptable.  

Joanne is originally from London, ON. She obtained a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Windsor Ontario. She has experience working in the animal food and supply industy and worked as a Manager of a Dog Day Care. She is also Chartered Herbalist.

Joanne’s goals are to educate adopters on responsible cat and dog ownership, to have a wide volunteer base, and have a consistent group of shelter walkers that will be able to help train the dogs.  Her main passion is rehabilitating dogs that have been neglected. She works at WAG because she likes to know that the animals are being cared for and to help make a difference in an animal's life.

Joanne has a WAG dog alumni, Happy whom she adopted in May 2001. 

email: jrussell

                                              Happy                                        

Jenni Olsen- Adoption Coordinator

We are pleased to welcome back Jenni to WAG. Jenni is returning to WAG part time as our wonderful Adoption Coordinator.

Jenni is from St. Catharines, Ontario, but has called Whistler home for the past 10 years.
She is formally trained as a Child & Youth Worker, as well as a Registered Massage Therapist.  Due to a neck injury, Jenni was forced to stop working as a RMT.  She started off at WAG as casual part time, but soon could not be kept away from her job.  She has two beautiful dogs of her own Oliver and Chili.  Currently Jenni is working only as the Adoption Coordinator and doing general administration.  This is with the hope to expidite her recovery from the neck injury.  Jenni is proud to be an employee at WAG.  Working along side so many selfless, devoted people and amazing animals with endless potential, is where she is truely happy.  She believes she will find herself working along side animals for the rest of her working life.
 

email: jolsen

Jen Geldart- Shelter Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator

One day, while driving to Whistler, Jen came across a lost dog on the highway. She brought him to WAG and thus was born a great new relationship! Jen volunteered at WAG for several months before making herself so needed she became a WAG employee.

Jen is from Ontario, but spent 6 years in Banff, Alberta, working in the resort industry before being transferred to Whistler. Jen also works as a Massage Therapist in Whistler and she puts her skills to use with the WAG animals too. Jen is taking on the role of Volunteer Coordinator at WAG.

Jen dreams of one day of operating a dog kennel. She loves mountain biking, scrambling and climbing, skiing, cooking, and camping. She also enjoys fostering WAG animals.

email: jgeldart

Gayle Melenka- Shelter Assistant

Gayle has been involved with WAG for many years, always generous with her time volunteering at WAG. Gayle now works part time at WAG, delivering excellent care to the animals and keeping the shelter sparkling! Gayle is passionate about providing a high quality of life for the animals in the shelter and has an interest in pet nutrition. We count on Gayle to make sure that each animal receives an excellent diet. Drop in on Friday afternoons to see Gayle!

Dylan Jones- Shelter Assistant

Dylan is the youngest member of our staff, but has been involved with WAG perhaps longer than any of us! Dylan began volunteering with WAG after school and on weekends. Dylan provides wonderful care to the WAG animals. Dylan also keeps us all very tidy and organized and is our resident handy man too!

Emily Jefferson- Shelter Assistant

WAG welcomes Emily to our team. Emily brings to the shelter lots of experience working with horses and caring for stray cats and kittens.