Meet YOUR OHANA!

Willie Baumler

he/him

Pet Wellness Advocate

Animals have been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember.

I grew up with traditional pets: dogs, a cat, some aquarium fish. My family also occasionally kept unusual pets. One summer, we kept a baby crow that had fallen from its nest, which my father nursed to health. It stayed with us until it matured, then it simply flew away. Since then, I've lived with &/or been a primary caretaker for pets for all but a few scattered years & months of my adult life.


I feel truly privileged to have the opportunity to provide services for our patrons' pets now. Caring for your pets is my dream job, so thank you for letting me do it!

Animals have been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember.

I grew up with traditional pets: dogs, a cat, some aquarium fish. My family also occasionally kept unusual pets. One summer, we kept a baby crow that had fallen from its nest, which my father nursed to health. It stayed with us until it matured, then it simply flew away. Since then, I've lived with &/or been a primary caretaker for pets for all but a few scattered years & months of my adult life.


I feel truly privileged to have the opportunity to provide services for our patrons' pets now. Caring for your pets is my dream job, so thank you for letting me do it!

CORA BURST

she/her

Human Wellness Advocate

Since a young age I have been an avid animal focused & passionate individual.


Growing up on a hobby rescue farm, I was encouraged to explore careers pertaining to animal care & health.


I have always displayed interest in serving animals that are less fortunate.

Rescue & Animal Shelters have always been apart of my daily life & career choices.


In addition to animals, I have shown high interest in traveling & have lived in many places within the U.S and Europe.


I have since settled down on the West Coast, exploring the PNW while hiking with my rescue dog, Nala.

Aubrey Ellis

she/her

Pet Wellness Advocate

I'm a seasoned cat mom. I have always had a pet in my home since I was a small child. I am definitely a cat person but I do love a cute pupper. I love interacting with animals and figuring out their cute unique personalities.

I'm a seasoned cat mom. I have always had a pet in my home since I was a small child. I am definitely a cat person but I do love a cute pupper. I love interacting with animals and figuring out their cute unique personalities.

Lauren Schmelz

she/her

Graphic Artist

Sunny Shepherd

she/her

Pet Wellness Advocate

Hi, I’m Sunny! I’m a lifelong animal lover with over 5 years of professional experience caring for dogs, cats, and other critters. With experience with both petsitting and working with animals in a shelter setting, I’m comfortable with everything from playtime and walks to cleaning up messes and administering medications. I know how important it is to find someone you can trust with your furry family members, and I take pride in being reliable, attentive, and compassionate. I look forward to making sure your pets feel safe and happy.

Hi, I’m Sunny! I’m a lifelong animal lover with over 5 years of professional experience caring for dogs, cats, and other critters. With experience with both petsitting and working with animals in a shelter setting, I’m comfortable with everything from playtime and walks to cleaning up messes and administering medications. I know how important it is to find someone you can trust with your furry family members, and I take pride in being reliable, attentive, and compassionate. I look forward to making sure your pets feel safe and happy.

Shelby Tucker

she/her

Pet Wellness Advocate

Hello, my name is Shelby and I have been a PWA with Ohana for over a year. I enjoy spending my free time outdoors, exploring nature. I have a hobby of collecting interesting rocks and sticks to create dream catchers and macrame wall hangs. As a childhood pet owner, I now focus on raising my two children, and I satisfy my love for animals through my work which brings me great joy.

Hello, my name is Shelby and I have been a PWA with Ohana for over a year. I enjoy spending my free time outdoors, exploring nature. I have a hobby of collecting interesting rocks and sticks to create dream catchers and macrame wall hangs. As a childhood pet owner, I now focus on raising my two children, and I satisfy my love for animals through my work which brings me great joy.

MERLE WILLIAMS

she/her

Pet Wellness Advocate

I got my first pet, a beautiful mixed beagle, when I was 18 years old. I had my first cat when my husband, a cat lover, brought home a stray. Over the years, I have had dogs, cats, a guinea pig, fish, gerbils, & lovebirds. I had so many hobbies related to art, but, right now, I’m now retired focusing on my favorite relaxing hobby: gardening. I was a commission board member for the deaf and hard of hearing for 13 years. I’m a proud mom of one biological daughter & three adopted furry babies.

REBECCA WILLIAMS

she/her

Founder

I’ve been obsessed with animals for my whole life. As an only child, the pets whom I grew up with might as well have been my siblings. I volunteered with the Kentucky Humane Society in high school, began pet sitting & working as a dog groomer at Connie's Groom Room when I started undergrad, worked as an educator & keeper at the Louisville Zoo's MetaZoo and Boma Petting Zoo, volunteered with the Maui Humane Society & the East Maui Animal Refuge (Boo Boo Zoo), worked as a dog groomer at The Salty Dog while living on Maui, worked as a Vet Tech & volunteered with Alley Cat Advocates after returning to Louisville, continued to pet sit while working as a Vet Tech, & began pet sitting full-time upon returning to school to complete my Bachelor Degree. At every stage of my life, animals were always at the center.

I now have a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Humanities from the University of Louisville, a Master in Social Work & Veterinary Social Work Certificate from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville, & a Humane Education Practitioner Certificate from the University of Denver & am the ghost in the machine at Ohana. In the fall of 2024, I began the Anthrozoology Masters program at Canisius University.

I’ve been obsessed with animals for my whole life. As an only child, the pets whom I grew up with might as well have been my siblings. I volunteered with the Kentucky Humane Society in high school, began pet sitting & working as a dog groomer at Connie's Groom Room when I started undergrad, worked as an educator & keeper at the Louisville Zoo's MetaZoo and Boma Petting Zoo, volunteered with the Maui Humane Society & the East Maui Animal Refuge (Boo Boo Zoo), worked as a dog groomer at The Salty Dog while living on Maui, worked as a Vet Tech & volunteered with Alley Cat Advocates after returning to Louisville, continued to pet sit while working as a Vet Tech, & began pet sitting full-time upon returning to school to complete my Bachelor Degree. At every stage of my life, animals were always at the center.

I now have a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Humanities from the University of Louisville, a Master in Social Work & Veterinary Social Work Certificate from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville, & a Humane Education Practitioner Certificate from the University of Denver & am the ghost in the machine at Ohana. In the fall of 2024, I began the Anthrozoology Masters program at Canisius University.