MEET THE IFAH TEAM!
Board, Staff & Advisory Committee
We are extremely honored to be joined in this mission by the following extraordinary individuals:
CARE PARTNERS:
At most sanctuaries the people on staff are often called Caregivers or Caretakers… but we prefer the term Care Partners. We employ a holistic approach where the well-being of all in this ecosystem are considered. Labor rights being a key consideration of any effort to create a more just society, we bring our experience of ten years doing this work at other organizations to help inform our intention to do things differently at IFAH. We want to acknowledge that this is uniquely hard work! We love and care about these incredible people who bring their beautiful selves here and bring the Institute’s mission to life.
(Bios to come!)
BOARD MEMBERS:
ANDREW GLICK (Treasurer - shown with Little Larry)
Andy (shown here with Larry, a rooster rescued from NYC) is a friend, mentor and long time animal rights activist. Founder of WOODSTOCK ANIMAL RIGHTS MOVEMENT ((W.A.R.M.) in 1989 (!!!) and founding member of WOODSTOCK FERAL CAT PROJECT (W.F.C.P.) as well as a vegan activist, vegan lifestyle coach and educator, Andy brings to this board a profound history of animal rights and vegan activity in the region, as well as the vast experience he has gained supporting vegan causes and initiatives. It is incredible to know that Andy opened the FIRST fully vegan animal rights store in the United States in 1991 - The W.A.R.M. Store! He has been a great friend to us since the very first rescued bird in our care, and we even have a coop dedicated in his (and Larry’s) honor.
NANCY CHILDRESS (Vice President - shown with Percy)
Nancy (Warren) Childress is a treasured volunteer and supporter of the Institute for Animal Happiness. Prior to moving to the Hudson Valley from New Jersey in 2015, Nancy was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She spent 30 years devoted to compassionate work in all aspects of the Child Welfare, Adoption and Foster Care fields. The last 5 years of her social work career were spent focused on hospice and long-term care. Nancy moved to the Hudson Valley to volunteer and then work at an animal sanctuary. She is presently happily retired and is a regular volunteer at IFAH, supporting as both a weekly volunteer with their Happy Cart Free Vegan Food program, and doing animal care. She loves to hold disabled rooster Percy (pictured above) and brings her kindness and compassion to all residents (human and non-human) of the Institute.
HELENA KAMINSKI (Secretary - shown with TeenyTinyTony)
Helena is a ceramicist, biologist, photographer and maker in Catkills, NY. She is also co-producer of Hudson Valley Vegfest (which supports the work of this Institute) and is building many creative, activist and exploratory worlds via her websites, helenakaminski.com as well as the new and developing Animal Rights Recipes site - where she launched the most beautiful, ongoing fundraiser for the care of birds here in residence, via proceeds from the sales of her gorgeous handmade ceramic tiles which feature the fierce-but-adorable visage of our very own beloved Kaporos rescue Rooster, Buckles.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(List in formation)
Kirsti Gholson
Joanne Ehret
Elli Claire Mazeres
Susan Roth