Meet YOUR OHANA!

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.

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!

Hi, I'm Kai!


I've loved animals since I was a child. While my degree is actually in Funeral Services Education, I couldn't imagine anything better than working with critters. They're the best part of the day!


I've had a lot of different animal children over my life; rodents & reptiles, cats & dogs! This has given me a variety of animal care experience, both large & small. Right now my little family consists of my cat, Mister Babadook (Dook) & my one remaining rat, Pepper. I love them both a lot!

I am a Louisville native born & raised. I love this city & I almost never meet a stranger (two or four legged). I workout 5-6 days a week which helps when trying to keep up with some of the more energetic pups for the flexibility to get into tight spaces looking for a kitty.



As a mental health provider for over 20 years, I understand the importance of the bond between a person & their fur baby. After the loss of my dog a little over a year ago, I find that I miss the love that only a pet can give. My current life circumstances does not allow for me to have another dog right now, but I won't let that stop me from giving all the well deserved belly rubs, cuddles to every pet I meet.


Working for Ohana Pet Care & Counseling combine my two passions: people & animals. It warms my heart help someone give the best care they possibly can to their pet.

Lauren Schmelz

she/her

Graphic Artist

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 Bachelors in Comparative Humanities from the University of Louisville, a Masters 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. Beginning in the fall of 2024, I will start a Masters program in Anthrozoology at Canisius University.