Board of Directors
Tracey Grieder
Founding Member/Chairperson
What is your background in animal rescue?
Many years of fostering and volunteering at various events.
What is your favourite thing about being a part of pause4change?
The unconditional love from the rescues fill my heart. Volunteering along side compassionate people that care about the well-being of animals and want to make a difference in the lives of others. Also, the wonderful partnerships we have established with organizations that have the same philosophy of positive reward based training. With our training programs, I have really enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about training and LOVE training those that come into the pause4change family.
What's one thing you wish people knew about pause4change rescue?
Although we are small, we are committed to doing our part with rescuing and helping pet owners understand responsible pet ownership. And, although a small organization, we are grateful when we get the opportunity to help other rescue organizations.
When you're not busy with pause4change, what do you like to do?
Golfing, Camping and just hanging out with my own dogs, fosters, friends and family.
Do you have animals of your own?
Two rescues that rescued me. They are special needs dogs that have taught me so much about unconditional love and trust, and that although not perfect, there is a place in my heart for each of them.
Kirstie Thrush
Director/Founding Member
What is your background in animal rescue?
I have always volunteered some how, some way. My family adopted a rescue dog and started volunteering and we saw the different ways that we could make a difference in the lives of dogs. So in August 2012 after a conversation with a good friend I became a co-founder of Pause4Change Rescue Foundation.
What are your favourite things about being a part of Pause4Change?
I really love knowing that we are making a difference in both canine and human lives! Daily we get to meet amazing people who share our passion. One of my proudest accomplishments is the Pauseit4Ward Campaign. This is a pet food bank that helps others in need so they can continue to provide a healthy home for their pets.
What is one thing you wish people knew about Pause4Change or rescue?
I wish that people know we are truly about quality over quantity. We always strive to do the right thing in the best welfare of the dogs we rescue.
When you are not busy with Pause4Change, what do you like to do?
I enjoy spending time with my 2 and 4-legged family and friends. I also enjoy riding my motorcycle and travelling.
Do you have animals of your own?
I have 3 rescued dogs and 1 rescued cat even though we swore we would only get one pet...
Kelsey McCloy
Director Social Media & Fosters
What is your background in animal rescue?
I started with Pause4Change in 2017, prior to that I had no background in animal rescue. I was drawn to Pause4Change because they are a small organization within Calgary that I could truly see myself having the opportunity to make a difference. Through years of owning my own dogs I have become passionate about canine education and health and wanted to share my knowledge and skills with an influential organization.
What is your favourite thing about being a part of Pause4Change?
My favorite thing about Pause4Change is that we are a small dog family! We work hard as a group to ensure the success, love and health of each of the dogs we bring into our care. We are not rescuing for quantity (although we try and help as many as we can) but rather to give each rescued dog a higher quality of care. I value the opportunity to make a difference not only in the lives of dogs but also by paying it forward to other organizations to ensure all dogs receive quality love and care.
What is one thing you wish people knew about Pause4Change or animal rescue?
I wish they knew the values and satisfaction that comes from fostering. Most people believe they can not foster because they wouldn’t be able to give a puppy up, but is not about giving a puppy up but rather finding a quality home for that dog's entire lifetime. At Pause4Change we are committed to every dog that we rescue and that commitment continues well after the dog has found their forever home.
When you are not busy with Pause4Change, what do you like to do?
I spend most of my time juggling two part time jobs, one as a registered nurse and the other as a dog-walker. When I find time outside of work I enjoy camping, beaches and sun and as well puppy love!
Do you have animals of your own?
Currently I share my home with three strong personality female dogs! Bella is an 11-year-old Chihuahua X that thinks she runs the world. Shillelagh a 7-year-old Husky/Blue Heeler/Chihuahua X who has worked hard through reactivity issues and is beyond sweet and finally Tilley a 2-year-old Miniature Husky who starts all the loud dog conversations in the house!
Jennifer Prothmann
Director
What is your background in animal rescue?
I've been involved in rescue for 11 years now as part of a small non profit rescuing German Shepherds and Shepherd Mixes out of high kill shelters and now through work with Pause4Change. I have volunteered and worked alongside some truly amazing people over the years via spay/neuter clinics, transports, adoption events and fostered many beautiful souls. I've trained and rehabbed dogs both mentally and physically and one of my most rewarding accomplishments was fostering and training a special girl named Freyja who now is a FEMA dog in NYC.
What is your favorite thing about being a part of Pause4Change?
Getting to work alongside the dedicated and passionate individuals in the Pause4Change family is so fulfilling. Contributing to enriching the lives of the animals we save via our upstanding medical, nutritional and foster home care; as well as positive reinforcement based behavior training programs we have established to educate our foster and adoptive families are just a few of the things that make me so proud to be a part of this foundation. I get to feel like I truly make a difference in the lives of each and every animal whose lives we touch. Also that we are all like-minded in our philosophy of reputable rescue practices is something I am extremely proud to be a part of.
What is one thing you wish others knew about Pause4Change?
Pause4Change is committed to QUALITY over QUANTITY rescue.
When you're not busy with Pause4Change what do you like to do?
When not involved in rescue directly, animals are still always at the heart of all I am involved in some way or another. I work at Fish Creek 24 Hr Pet Hospital, as well as being a professional groomer. My husband Wayne and my two daughters Cassidy and Maddisyn keep me busy actively participating in pony camps, gymnastics, swimming and other extracurricular activities. It's been a while, but I love to get on the ice and play a good game of pick up shinny, camping, hiking , boxing, or taking it down a notch and just kicking back hanging out enjoying a glass of wine with some friends.
Do you have animals of your own?
We have lots of animals in the Prothmann pack ALL of which are rescues, each with an amazing story. We have 3 dogs(Jaxx, Scarlett, Dakota), 1 kitten (Princess Boomerang), 4 bunnies (Princess Larry, Spot, Salt, Pepper), 2 gerbils (Stella, Cookie Dough), 2 turtles (Sabastien, Malibu) and finally 1 tarantula (Charlotte)