About Us
PNWPBR is a 501(c)3 pending organization that was founded in July of 2006. All of our board members, foster home and volunteers are unpaid and their time is donated for the love of the American Pit Bull Terrier. Within our group, we have a collective of over 30 years of rescue experience, 50 years of breed experience and are dedicated to the responsible ownership of our breed.
We are Unincorporated through the State of Washington and have been a certified Rescue Organization since 2007 with the Animal Rescue Association of America. www.anraa.org
Ellena Thomas
Founder
Executive Director
Ellena started her career in animal rescue in 1999 when she began studying and rehabilitating reptiles. While as a child she often stated she wanted to be a vet, little did she know her love of animals would lead her in the direction of running a rescue.
After adopting her first Pit Bull Mix dog the crisis that the breed was in became apparent. She was confronted by the myths that surround these dogs on a daily basis and from there she set out to educate the public about this often misunderstood breed of dog.
Ellena owns three dogs, Sierra, Moxie and SBK's Bagno a Ripoli aka Rio. Sierra is an American Pit Bull Terrier and Cane Corso Mastiff mix, Moxie is an American Pit Bull Terrier as is Rio. Moxie is Ellena's "Demo Dog" and Moxie is CGC Certified, ATTS Tested and will soon have her TD as well! Rio is still a puppy but is dual registered with the AADR/ADBA. He will be getting his CGC, TT, TD and will be entering the show ring in 2009!
Ellena has been a veterinary technician and brings her medical knowledge to PNWPBR. She is an employee at a local humane society as the Canine Assistant and is a Certified Euthanasia Technician in the state of Washington. She is also a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator through the AKC.
Ellena shares her home with her husband Jacob and their two children, Rainelynn and Gavin and of course Sierra, Moxie and Rio. Ellena fosters our medically or behaviorally needy dogs.
Victoria Armstrong
President
Foster Home Coordinator
Victoria got into rescue after losing her family's beloved APBT - Kane - to bone cancer at a young age. Desperately missing the love of a dog, she began volunteering at her local shelter. She is still a volunteer there, but felt the need to do more. Joining PNWPBR has filled that void in her life that she lost when she lost Kane. Victoria has a strong passion for helping dogs to live to their fullest potential. She spends much of her time learning as much as she can about various holistic approaches to keeping dogs healthy and happy. She will be concentrating her efforts in the next year toward becoming a certified animal behaviorist.
Victoria is very lucky to have a loving family who support her rescue efforts, and her oldest child is quickly following in her footsteps. She has two dogs. Gnoot is a 3 year old Cattle Dog mix who is happy keeping the farm animals in line! Wahoo is a 3 year old Dutch Shepherd who in addition to being Victoria's best friend, is a Search and Rescue K9 with Evergreen Search Dogs, and a Pet Facilitated Therapy Dog for the Humane Society for SW Washington.
Carly Blount
Vice President
Post-Adoptions Counselor
Carly started rescuing with PNWPBR in March 2007 after she found a stray Pit Bull in her neighborhood and felt the need to do more for this misunderstood breed. Carly is always continually trying to learn as much information as possible about aiding, training, and caring for all different animals. She also fosters for the rescue, as well as helps with training and caring for the dogs.
Currently Carly shares her home in Vancouver with her husband and three dogs, Rocky, who is a Labrador/ Pointer mix, Bella who is a Labrador mix, and Sharky an American Pit Bull Terrier. Sharky is CGC certified, ATTS tested and has exceeded in Agility and Obedience Training.
Jake Thomas
Co-Founder
Treasurer
Jake started doing reptile rescue with Ellena after they were married in 1999. His passion grew for animals as the years went on.
After adopting Sierra, Jake saw what abuse and neglect does to dogs mentally and physically. Because of that Jake helped found PNWPBR with the hope that other dogs will not have to suffer as Sierra once did.
Jake still rescues reptiles that come into local Humane Societies from time to time and it's not uncommon to find him hanging out with his python named Ferris.
Jake shares his home with his wife of 10 years, Ellena, and their two children Rainelynn and Gavin. Oh and of course their dogs, fosters and many reptiles!
Jamie Denton
Secretary
Jamie Denton started volunteering with PNWPBR towards the end of 2007 because of her love for Bully Breeds. Jamie has been around this breed since childhood and has always had an affinity towards the American Pit Bull Terrier. Jamie holds the Secretary position with PNWPBR with much enthusiasm and also aids the rescue with her creative talents and artistry.
Jamie lives in Vancouver with her husband Phil and 3 year old son, Jamison. They are owned by Tater Monster, a 3 year old American Staffordshire Terrier and American Bulldog Mix and Shi-Ann, a 10 year old Boston Terrier.
Photo coming soon!
Josh Alsberg
Fundrasising Coordinator
Josh and his fiancee Lisa Sauber became involved with PNWPBR as a foster family in 2007. They were looking for a companion for Maddy, an abandoned APBT whom they had rescued three years prior. Josh and family fostered four pups until their fifth, Ouzo, won their hearts and they adopted him.
Josh is a photographer specializing in dog portraiture. Josh also creates the full-color calendar with his photos of dogs from PNWPBR, as a fundraising tool.
Lisa Sauber
Events Coordinator
Photo and profile coming soon!
Jay Blount
At-Large Member
Photo and profile coming soon!
All photos and content property of PNWPBR
2008