Staff

CRitchie@PAWSforPeople.org

Clarice joined the PAWS staff in August of 2014 as the Coordinator for Community Engagement, and in 2023 became the Executive Director. She brings over 25 years of nonprofit experience in program administration, fundraising and finance. Clarice has thoroughly enjoyed working with the amazing PAWS volunteers to share the special impact that PAWS Pet Therapy has in our local community. After many years of volunteering in programs with both animals and people with special needs, Clarice is thrilled to have found a position where she can turn her passion into a profession. Outside of work, Clarice enjoys spending time walking, reading, and traveling with friends and family.

RLenoir@PAWSforPeople.org

Rosemarie joined the PAWS for People staff in October 2014 as the Director of Development. She has over 24 years of income development experience for both large and small nonprofits, along with varied volunteer experiences. As a life-long dog lover, Ro always felt that PAWS would be the perfect combination of her passions – helping people and dogs. Ro is grateful to be with PAWS and working to help ensure that the amazing work being done by PAWS staff and Volunteer Teams continues and grows!

Yellow lab, Ellie keeps Ro and her husband active and busy. Ro enjoys visiting family, walking, and gardening.

MStephan@PAWSforPeople.org

Moira (“Mo”) joined PAWS as the Scheduling Coordinator in July of 2017 and became the Director of Training in 2018. She comes to us with several years of scheduling and organizational experience from working with schools in the area as well as coordinating her family of six. Moira and her husband Ed have four fantastic children Jake, Riley, Abby, and Owen as well as her chocolate lab, Bear. Outside of PAWS, she loves camping, photography, reading, spending time with friends and family, as well as trips to Bethany Beach.

LGarver@PAWSforpeople.org

Laura joined the PAWS staff in February, 2016. She has over fifteen years of Customer Service experience in the manufacturing and printing industries. As Office Manager, Laura strives to keep the PAWS office running smoothly in support of all who share the vision and mission of PAWS for People. Outside of PAWS, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, and cooking new healthy recipes. Laura and her family also enjoy their two (non-therapy) cats, Bodhi and Sylvie, who are both Siamese rescues.

ACox@PAWSforPeople.org

Andréa first joined PAWS in July of 2016 as Volunteer Coordinator and is excited to return as a Volunteer and Site Manager in October 2023. She happily brings her customer service and volunteer engagement skills to an already amazing and passionate team. Appreciating the many ways humans and animals connect, she has a deep understanding of the power of pet therapy.
Andréa most enjoys spending time with her family in the beauty of nature and talking to her personal therapy dog, Rocket, and waiting for a response.

LCatts@PAWSforPeople.org

Leslie joined the PAWS for People staff in June 2024 as a Volunteer & Site Manager. She has a long history of working for non-profit organizations in the human services field. Leslie has over 26 years of experience working with various, vulnerable populations including individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, substance use disorders and intellectual and cognitive disabilities. After experiencing first-hand, the many benefits of animal assisted therapy, she was extremely excited at the opportunity to join the PAWS for People team!  In her free time, Leslie enjoys spending time with her family, especially her beautiful daughter, Jada, and her cat, Sawyer. Summer is her favorite season and often includes trips to the beach, waterparks and amusement parks. Listening to music and reading by the pool are favorite pastimes as well!

Debbie joined the PAWS Staff in September of 2018 as a General Support person and in 2022 transitioned to the Community Events Coordinator while also supporting the Volunteer and Site Management, and Training teams. In 2024 she became the Volunteer & Site Manager for Community Events. Not only does she love working for such a passionate organization like PAWS, Debbie loves all the wonderful staff & volunteers that she gets to work with. Debbie and her husband Drew have two wonderful sons, Nate and Matthew, and 2 awesome daughters-in-laws, Anna (married to Nate) and Nicole (married to Matthew). Drew & Debbie share their home with two black cats named Bruce and Gracie. She loves spending time with her family and friends, as well as reading and traveling.

KRosenthal@PAWSforPeople.org

Kate joined the PAWS staff in December 2018 in the role of Volunteer & Site Manager and in 2022 accepted the new role of Marketing and Events Manager. She brings over 20 years of nonprofit experience, serving as staff, volunteer, and trustee with several professional associations and schools. Kate loves being part of the PAWS team and helping sustain and grow PAWS programs throughout the region. In her spare time, Kate enjoys reading, baking, traveling, and spending time with her family and their pups, Maizy and Luka.

Dawn joined the PAWS staff in August 2019 as the Coordinator for Kent & Sussex Counties & Social Media. She comes to PAWS with over 15 years of executive administrative support service. You may also know Dawn as one of our Pet Therapy Teams with her dog Kate. As she takes on this new role with PAWS for People, she is excited to get to know all the teams and sites in Kent and Sussex Counties.

In addition to therapy dogs Kate and Riley (retired), Dawn and her husband also have Tanner, a mini goldendoodle, and a cat, Gracie. Dawn enjoys gardening, reading, photography, all things crafty, and going to the beach.

Andrea became part of the PAWS staff in April 2023 in the position of Program Assistant. Prior to her arrival at PAWS, she co-founded a company helping schools and other non-profit groups raise funds for extracurricular programs and equipment. After 30 years, she was ready for a new challenge. A PAWS therapy team member mentioned an opening on the staff, and Andrea jumped at the opportunity to become part of our group. Her mother had been a resident at Jenner’s Pond, and there, Andrea saw the significant impact that PAWS therapy teams have on the residents when they visit.

Having collies for most of her adult life, Andrea feels right at home with our therapy dogs, cats, and bunnies. When she’s not working, she and her husband enjoy traveling, spending time with their grandchildren, and getting together with friends.

Lois (a member of PAWS since 2014 with multiple therapy companions) joined the PAWS staff in July as our Bookkeeper Plus. With a background in accounting for non-profits, Lois helps with all things financial including deposits, budgeting, and grant tracking. Lois has also jumped in to help with updating site visitation schedules for some of our PAWS sites (that is the plus part of her job!)

In addition to her passion for Basset hounds, Lois enjoys cooking and baking, getting together with friends and family, and volunteering with PAWS for People with her beloved Basset Hound – Ollie.

info@PAWSforPeople.org

Karen Powell has been actively involved in training her German Shepherd dogs for over 20 years. She has achieved numerous titles in all levels of AKC competition obedience, rally, and tracking, with her dogs, Raden & Winn. Believing that there is always more to learn, Karen attends weekly and monthly private lessons at Top Dog Obedience School under the expert instruction of Betsy Scapicchio.

Karen believes that training should be fun for both the dog and handler. Clear communication is emphasized to build success and create TEAMWORK. Young puppies and dogs of any age can benefit and become good companions and canine citizens that are a joy to be around.