Megan Brown
Intake Assistance & Rescue Coordinator
Meghan has lived in Lexington, MO for the last 4 years. She moved here from Colorado for a job. As it turns out, the company decided to go back to South Dakota and she stayed here. She worked at a Hardware Store and volunteered for a local rescue here until she was offered the Animal Control Officer job for the city. They offered Megan the job because of her work in rescue and wanted to bring that part of it back since it had been missing from the position in the past. She love seniors, especially when they are able to experience the loving and beautiful place that the Sanctuary gives them in their final chapter of their lives. She met Valerie and was introduced to Whispering Willows when she was following the two Danes from TN that were dumped by their family and been a HUGE fan since. Meghan has 3 kids, Tyler 19, Aidan 16, and Jaxson 3. She has made rescue and animals a part of their lives. The whole family participates in saving animals, from cleaning kennels to singing to them. Their family pets are- Marley, a Dane from a puppy mill, Sally, the mastiff mix born in a pound, and usually, a foster or two. They have two cats, Gemma and Hank, but somehow their family has been adopted by two more cats, Opie and Black Widow (kids named her after superhero). Megan is so excited for this opportunity to help seniors in the Whispering Willows Pack and to make new friends!
Erin Petersen
Marketing/ Promotional Coordinator
Erin lives in Overland Park, Ks. with her husband, two teenage boys, and a senior Boston Terrier named Lexie. Erin is employed as a Credit Supervisor for DexYP and has previously volunteered in various roles at SAFEHOME, MidAmerica Boston Terrier Rescue, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Great Plains SPCA. While she is a volunteer at heart, Erin has always had a special affection for senior dogs and is thrilled to support the mission of Whispering Willows.
Lou Hillman
Informational Coordinator and Local Sanctuary Assistance
Louise Carson Hillman RN, CEN, BSN Louise (Lou) is currently working part-time in the Endoscopy Center at Citizens Memorial Hospital after leaving the Emergency Room where Louise spent 17 years as an ER nurse. Prior to Nursing, Louise was the Accounting Manager for Applebee's International in Kansas City, Mo. Louise Graduated from Graceland University School of Nursing in Independence, Mo. Louise is the mother of two, grandmother to three, and a loving and caring friend of many. Besides being a patient advocate, Louise is an animal advocate. Especially devoted to the senior population and those who have no one to speak or act on their behalf. Lou said,”Writing stories and poems is my favorite pastime as it keeps me off Facebook"
Amy Sandy
Corporate Sposorship Coordinator
Amy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from Overland Park, Ks. She has over 18 years of experience in this field and has a passion for working with the “underdogs.” She currently works full time at the VA Medical Center helping to find housing for homeless veterans, as well as runs a private therapy practice working with children in foster care and their families. Amy has always had a passion for helping animals and has spent time volunteering as a dog socializer at her local shelter. She has three rescue dogs currently, two of which are seniors.
Anna Marshall
Forever Foster and Hospice Coordinator
Anna Marshall has been an animal advocate since she's had a voice. She spends most of her time working as a Vet Tech at Blue Pearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her own pets and husband. She has always been drawn to hospice fostering, which is how she got so involved with Whispering Willows. She can’t wait to continue to be a voice for the animals that are so near and dear to her heart.
Dr. Sabra Amend
Rescue Veterinarian and Event Coordinator
Dr. Amend is a Kansas native. She grew up in Emporia, Ks. and knew early on that it was her dream to become a veterinarian. After graduating high school, she came to Lawrence, Ks. and attended The University of Kansas where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish in 2009. During her years at KU, she worked at Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital, first as a volunteer and then as a veterinary assistant. In 2010, she moved to Manhattan, Ks. and began working at the KSU Rabies Laboratory where she worked as a bilingual research assistant leading up to and during her years in veterinary school. Dr. Amend received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Kansas State University in 2016. She has a special interest in small animal oncology and surgery. She is so grateful to be planting roots back in Lawrence, Ks. and especially to be back at Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital, where her love and passion for veterinary medicine developed. Dr. A loves to travel, is an avid yogi, and loves camping and trail running with her two loyal running buddies, her English Setter, Trusty and her Brittany, Jack.
Molly Hodes
Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator
Molly is a high school graduate working on a future degree. She resides at the sanctuary and is a full time shelter assistant. She administers medicines and does basic daily health care of the senior dogs. Her favorite breed is the Great Dane and she has a 2 year old Great Dane named Indi! She has loved dogs all her life and thoroughly enjoys working with them, especially with the seniors! In her free time, she also enjoys running and marketing Indi's Instagram ,@indi_thegreatdanish!
Valerie Reid
President and Founder
Valerie began Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary to honor her Father. She has long loved senior dogs and has grown up with dogs throughout her whole life. Her Father passed away and left behind a senior Doberman, beginning the dream of the sanctuary. Valerie is also a mother and wife. In the past, she has owned her own design/painting business, and taught elementary art. She attended college at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, Ca. for Interior Design. Her true heart is for senior dogs and animal advocacy. The seniors dogs all live at the sanctuary with Valerie and her family. She is Mom and caretaker to every single one. There is always room for one more!
Joshua Reid
Treasurer and Sanctuary Manager
Valerie’s husband Josh is one of our more “behind the scenes” Board Members. In addition to his Treasurer duties, Josh works early mornings at UPS, runs his own engraving business and handles grounds maintenance at the sanctuary. Although you might not see him much in the posts and pictures, from our logo to our t-shirts and other promotional products, you can see his work in most of the graphic design produced for the sanctuary.