Toni Cerapanya

Meet our Director who after 25 years working in other rescues, was finally able to make her dream of having her own rescue come true!  Always being the woman to fight for the “under-dog” it was only natural for her to make “bully-breeds” her heart’s mission.  With hard work, dedication and very little sleep she’s been able to run Stealing Hearts helping it grow into a rescue with a great reputation that our followers can trust.  Because she is the most stubborn person most have ever met, Toni never allowed other’s doubt or negativity stop her and with the support of a group of amazing volunteers is making her dream a reality.  Finding forever homes for large, strong breed dogs is her passion and she is lucky enough to live that passion.

Barb Goree

Barb is one of our dedicated shift workers, not an easy task.  Her love for the dogs allowed our director to talk her into working at the shelter the day after she retired from her regular job – the very next day!  She brings an incredible amount of energy to every shift, her nickname, “the energizer bunny” 😊  Along with being a extremely hard worker, Barb is also a “fit-it” woman and keeps our shelter looking great!  Her love for the dogs she cares for is obvious by how excited they are to see her day in and day out.  And what does she do on her day off??  She volunteers at our director’s house where she helps with the 30-plus puppies that always reside there.  Whew – I get tired just reading this! 

Jeni Garcia

Jeni is one of our dedicated shift workers since 2017. She is an organizing queen and keeps our shelter looking more like a home than a shelter.  With her calm energy and big heart, she handles the dogs making sure each gets what he/she needs, spending extra time with any that need just a little extra love. Her hard work and love for the dogs is evident in everything she does! 

Shae & Jeff Morris

This awesome duo has, for the last four years, helped SHR dogs stay in their new homes. Running her own dog training business (Shangri La Dog Training), Shae, with Jeff’s help, fosters some of our behavior-challenged dogs helping them become “adoption ready”. They also assist new adopters when issues arise with their new additions. But they don’t stop there, often their home houses long-time medical dogs that need special care…dogs that need a foster home to heal and get ready for their new families. Shae and Jeff are incredible volunteers whose only payment is the satisfaction of being able to make a difference.

Barbara & Justin Smith

Our amazing medical foster team have been fostering our dogs since 2015.  With the benefit of Barbara being a nurse, she, with Justin’s help, make sure our “special medical needs” dogs get the love, care, and attention needed for them to heal. While in their care, they are loved and become part of their family until they are well enough to be adopted. It’s no easy task considering these dogs are often with them for months. With Barbara and Justin’s big hearts, these dogs know love and kindness before they find their forever homes.  

Liz Barrick

Meet Liz, our foster extraordinaire! Liz met our director 20 years ago and has been fostering dogs for Toni for the past 15 years. When she had their home built, they specifically built the Taj Mahal of kennels so they could comfortably house and pamper all the pregnant and nursing mama dogs that we bring in. As a volunteer, she works a full-time job and has still managed to be the mid-wife to literally hundreds of moms and their pups. Her dedication is nothing short of remarkable and the number of lives Liz has helped save is countless. SHR is so grateful to have her loyalty and dedication to the dogs and to our rescue.  

Kerry Stanfield

Kerry has been with us since 2015 when she left teaching to stay at home with her child – she thought she would have “a little extra time”. 😊 Little did she know she would spend much more than a little time taking amazing pictures of our dogs and pups.  She quickly became our Media Coordinator! Kerry handles our Facebook page, Conrad’s Instagram, and SHR’s Instagram. She is a perfectionist with attention to detail. Along with her incredible eye and skill for photography, Kerry brings her quick wit and sense of humor to every post. 

Tamara Clark

Tamara came to us in 2017 when she learned we needed a grant writer. She stepped up and jumped in with both feet! Tamara puts her endless energy, excitement, and knowledge into every aspect of grant writing…finding everything available that’s out there. She makes it all seem effortless, but juggling three small children and a husband, along with donating her time is far from that. Tamara’s time and dedication is rewarded by the dollars she continues to bring in to keep Stealing Hearts thriving.

Paola Beha

Introducing SHR’s Volunteer Coordinator Paola! We were lucky on the day she googled “pit rescues” that she picked us to volunteer for! From day one she has been a very hardworking volunteer! Showing up day after day to help with the shelter dogs – showing her love and devotion not only to the dogs but to Stealing Hearts as well. When our Director noticed her hard work day after day she took notice and when our volunteer coordinator left, it was an easy choice to ask Paola to join us! Paola is an artist and dog-lover, it’s what fills her heart and that is very obvious by the time and care she gives our “kids”. Loving her four personal fur-babies wasn’t enough for her – she loves all the dogs that pass through our shelter on their way to their new lives. She’s a great leader and helps all new volunteers feel comfortable helping out. Stealing Hearts is lucky to have Paola!