Meet the Team

Alayna

President

My rescue experience began in 2011, when I attended a Valentine’s Day photo fundraiser in support of a local rescue with my pride and joy; Keely (age 11) and Tora (age 10). Keely is an Akita/Bullmastiff/Rottweiler/Shepherd mix and Tora is a pittie mix. I was lucky enough to be the fur mom to Charlie, my big Boxer boy for 4 amazing years. Sadly he left me in 2017.

I first began fostering and quickly realized I wanted to be involved in other areas of animal rescue as well.

I met Jessica Dial in 2011 through volunteering with a local animal rescue and we became fast friends. We both worked in the legal field and shared a huge love for animals.

In 2012, Jessica founded Hope Lives Here Animal Rescue. Together, we poured our hearts and souls into HLH. Jessica in Red Deer and myself heading up the Edmonton branch.

In 2016, Jessica, our founder, started a family and, with her blessing, I became the President of Hope Lives Here. Hope Lives Here will forever have a special place in her heart, and I was honoured to take over what she had created.

Since taking over, Hope Lives Here has secured a much larger presence in Edmonton and has continued to grow in Red Deer. We now have foster homes that span all the way south to Calgary and West to Spring Lake.

Jolene

Dog Adoption / Foster / Behavior Coordinator

Hi, I’m Jolene! For the past 13 1/2 years, I’ve had the privilege of being part of Hope Lives Here, wearing many hats along the way.

I started out as a foster home, and it didn’t take long before I stepped into the role of Foster Coordinator. When the opportunity came to become the Adoption Coordinator, I jumped at the chance to help match families with their perfect companions and continue supporting our amazing foster network.

Animals have always been a huge part of my life, and rescue work has sparked a passion that only grows stronger with time. From fostering medical dogs to caring for mama dogs and their puppies, I’ve been fortunate to experience nearly every aspect of this incredible journey.

Some of my most memorable moments include helping pups with special needs — from a dog with megaesophagus to one with only a 50/50 chance of walking again (who’s now running!) and even a few neurological pups who taught me the true meaning of resilience. There’s very little I haven’t done in rescue, and each experience has deepened my love for this work. The team at Hope Lives Here is filled with dedicated, compassionate volunteers, and I’m so proud to be part of such an inspiring family. I’m excited for what’s ahead and look forward to continuing this meaningful work for many more years to com3

Karl

Dog Coordinator

Hi, I’m Karl! I’ve been involved in animal rescue for about 15 years now, and for the past 2 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Hope Lives Here as the Dog Coordinator. Rescue work has always been a big part of my life. The best part for me is getting to save animals and see how happy families are when they adopt a new family member. I also really value the relationships that come from this work — with the animals and the amazing team I get to work with every day. Every rescue story reminds me why I do what I do.

Tanya

Cat Coordinator

I joined the rescue in March 2020, however, my love and work with cats started when I was a young girl. At 14, I volunteered at a vet clinic cleaning cages and helping with reception. It was not the most glamorous job, but it was perfect as I got to spend time with the animals.

On the weekends, I would bring cats home to my mother, who would immediately remind me that they couldn’t stay. However, before Monday came, we always found homes for them, or made room in our house. I was lucky to have such an understanding family.

Fast forward to now and not much has changed. I currently have a houseful of cats in my care and I love them all. I find it very rewarding to watch their progress; learning to be loved and letting me be their friend and protector. However, my favorite aspect of this role; is adoption. Knowing our kittens and cats have found their furever home, where they can live full happy lives makes all this hard work worthwhile. Every cat deserves a loving home and a human who will give them the best possible life.

Ashley

Cat Team Administrator & Cat Coordinator

My name is Ashley Miller. My journey with HLH started with meeting friends who fostered and since we couldn’t foster at that time we would donate and volunteer. We began fostering when we could and I’ve met a lot of great people in this organization who all share my passion for animals which I love. My administrative role primarily within the cat team organically grew. The best part of our rescue is that we are foster home based and seeing the animals get a safe supportive environment to transform into their full selves. The hardest part in rescue is knowing there are so many animals in need and being limited on the amount we can help due to funds.

Angela

Community Liaison

Some people in the community I work with call me the crazy dog lady but at this point in my life I like to think I’m passionate with just a twist of crazy about all animals. Since 2008 I have worked and volunteered in a First Nations community in Central Alberta, I’m very grateful I have been able to help thousands of people and animals through connection, compassion and education. I’ve been able to move animals to care they need, help support families by providing donated animal necessities and meet some of the most amazing people on my journey both on the Reserve and in rescue.

In 2019 I first heard about Hope Lives Here while substitute teaching at a school by Pigeon Lake. The community members I talked with had nothing but good things to say about the support and love the organization had shown their small community. Shorty after I was stuck with a dog needing to be rehomed and no fosters available with the organizations I was working with at that time so I reached out to Alayna.

I’ll never forget that dog, that drive or that day.

My life in rescue is everchanging but finding Alayna and Hope Lives Here has been a game changer. I’ve not only brought many animals to the organization but also fostered and fundraised when I can and I look forward to growing with this amazing group of volunteers!

Kacey

Medical Coordinator

Hi there! My journey with Hope Lives Here began in 2021 as a foster whelping home, but my love and devotion to animals, as well as medicine, have been evident from a very young age. Throughout my education to become a Veterinary Technician, I became engaged with various medical cases at Hope Lives Here, leading to my organic progression into the role of Medical Coordinator as I gained further knowledge and experience. I have a personal zoo at home, with two resident dogs (both foster fails), three resident cats, two birds, and three reptiles, all but one of which are rescues. Added into the mix is a variable number of hospital cases or just standard foster animals; it can be chaotic and challenging, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. My responsibilities include supporting our volunteers by ensuring they are well-educated and confident in providing necessary medical care for their foster pets; I also manage treatment and provide consultations on critical care or complex medical cases that arise. Ultimately, my responsibilities are constantly evolving; my goal is to continue to work towards the health and wellness of every single animal that comes through our (metaphorical) doors. I find the work I do incredibly rewarding, and being on such a phenomenal team with some of the most passionate and dedicated people I know is something for which I am very grateful. I look forward to continuing to support our leadership as well as our volunteers and doing everything I can to save more furry, four-legged companions. Nothing quite compares to the fulfillment that comes from knowing that animals once on the brink of death, whom I spent countless hours nursing back to health, have been adopted into loving forever homes where they are continuing to thrive!

Ava

Fundraising Coordinator

I began my journey with Hope Lives Here in early 2024 as a part of the social media team and found myself wanting to be more involved and do more for the animals in our care. Cristina and I became friends through working on multiple projects together and we found ourselves interested in getting involved with the events side of the rescue. Together, we decided to take on the role of Fundraising Coordinators! I’ve always been an animal lover and I currently have 3 cats – Todd, Moe and Lucille. My goal is to raise funds for our rescue while giving the animals in our care their moments to shine through providing fun events for the community to participate in! The most rewarding part of volunteering for me is seeing our adoptable animals find their loving forever homes, as well as seeing firsthand the amazing impact that donations have on our rescue and the lives of animals in our care!