Staff

Judy Price: Founder and Director

Before APRA
I was a volunteer with the Atlanta Botanical Garden.  I became a master gardener upon moving to Atlanta from Minneapolis.

What I enjoy most about my job is
Seeing the transformation of our pets from intake to the time of adoption and seeing them again after they’ve been adopted.

When I am not at APRA I
Am on the road in search of new pets from animal control facilities or at home treating those in the rehabilitation center.

My pets
Luther, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix.  He is an APRA alum.

Amanda Blair: Operations Manager

Before APRA
I was the Operations Manager for Guitar Center.

What I enjoy most about my job is
I get to wake up every morning and do something that makes a difference in the lives of people and animals alike.  The staff is more like family to me than co-workers.

When I am not at APRA I
My husband and I are both musicians, so when we are not playing music or recording, we are at shows supporting our friends and the local music scene.

My pets
My little princess, Cleo, a brown Domestic Short Hair Tabby with leopard spots (she’s a daddy’s girl); my little buddy, Mutt, a black Domestic Short Hair with a pouty face (he’s a mommy’s boy).

Laura Linneman: Shelter Manager

Before APRA
I was a vet assistant at Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital.

What I enjoy most about my job is
The staff and volunteers.  They are some of the most amazing, selfless people I have had the honor of working with.  Everyone is there for the same reason and it makes the daily struggle of working with homeless pets easier to have a good support system.  Getting to help families find their next family member is also incredibly rewarding.

When I am not at APRA I
Am watching college football and pulling for Auburn University.  My husband and I enjoy sporting events and live music, especially The Slackers.  We especially love just hanging out at home with our four legged kids.

My pets
Are the loves of our lives.  We have an amazing group of rescue cats and dogs that are each so special to us.

Dana Widmer: Cat Program Manager & Development Specialist

Before APRA
I have been involved in animal welfare for many years working in veterinary clinics and shelters. Most recently I managed a Spay/Neuter clinic.

What I enjoy most about my job is
Watching animals’ personalities blossom and finding the right homes for them to have a second chance!

When I am not at APRA
I like going to the movies, enjoy nature and spending time with my cats, and I’m a bit of a computer geek.

What I love most about animals is
The way they are always forgiving and always there to make you laugh. Shy animals are my favorite because once they trust you, there is nothing like it.

My pets
Jinxy, Uma, Zoe, Ozzy and Luna – 5 very wonderful cats

Shannon Goldsmith, RVT: Veterinary Technician

Before APRA
For the last 17 years, I was a veterinary technician at various small animal and emergency clinics including Zoo Atlanta, where I worked for seven years.

What I enjoy most about my job is
Working with different animals and seeing them come from various circumstances and then being placed into loving homes.

When I am not at APRA I
Am involved in reptile rescue work.  I had an active reptile rescue for 15 years but recently had to scale back my efforts due to lack of funding.

My pets
Wednesday, my wonderful black Halloween cat; Buddy, a Corgi-Samoyed mix who is extremely intelligent; and the occasional reptile and arachnid (tarantulas).

Elisa Balera-Patton: Operations Assistant

Before APRA
I was working for a doggie daycare/grooming facility and pet sitting.

What I enjoy most about my job is
The fulfillment I get knowing that I am doing something positive for a living.  We see animals that have gone through such horrific things and it’s amazing to see them progress and move on to homes that will give them the love they deserve.

When I am not at APRA I
Am still working, usually as a pet sitter.  I am a homebody, so I love hanging out at home with my husband and my kids.

My pets
My little partner in crime, a Pug mix named Pugzy who I have had since I was 13 years old; a pit bull-American Bulldog mix named Jack who has a great temperament but loves to get into mommy and daddy’s things when they are not looking; a Chihuahua named Chloe, who spends day and night cleaning my pit bull; a Doberman named Thor who isn’t the brightest dog in the house but has a heart of gold.

Andrea White: Foster Program Coordinator & Adoption Counselor

What I enjoy most about my job is
Working with the animals.  Watching the transformation that dogs make from the time they come in to the moment they’re adopted…it’s beautiful.

When I am not at APRA I
Am caring for my own animals and the occasional foster dog.  When I’m not doing something related to animals I enjoy watching movies, exercising, cooking and creating art.

What I love most about animals is
Their resiliency and capacity to learn and grow.  With the proper care and attention any dog or cat can become an amazing companion, even those who have been through so much.

My pets
Hazel, DSH Tabby; Stella, DMH Munchkin;  Man Man, DSH; Toro, Chihuahua; Dexter, Schipperke-Chihuahua mix.

Clay Hall: Veterinary Assistant and Adoption Counselor

Before APRA
I was an engineer for The Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

What I enjoy most about my job is
Caring for all the animals in general but specifically, nursing the sick ones back to health and seeing how happy they are when they’re feeling better.

When I am not at APRA I
Enjoy home improvement projects, fishing, golf, hiking and enjoying the great outdoors with my wonderful wife, Cheryl.

My pets
Lola, wirehaired Dachshund; Lizzie, Calico; CeCe, Maine Coon.

Phil Sehenuk: Kennel Technician and Animal Care

 Before APRA
I enjoyed a long career in the corporate world providing marketing communications services to help companies sell their products.

What I love most about my job is
I arrive at dawn and I’m greeted by 30 to 40 dogs, who are always glad to see me, and a room full of cats who are eager to greet me with a friendly purr and an occasional head-butt.  I enjoy the interaction with these wonderful animals, monitoring their behaviors and making sure they are healthy and well cared for.  I also enjoy working with the APRA staff and volunteers.  I find it very rewarding to work with people who are focused and dedicated to such a noble cause.

When I am not at APRA
I am a volunteer service dog handler at Canine Assistants where I help train dogs for children and adults with mobility impairments, seizure disorders and developmental disabilities.  These dogs open doors, pick-up items, pull wheelchairs, go for help, turn on lights and respond to 90 other commands.

My pets
My personal canine companion is a 50 lb. shepherd mix named Foxxy.  She is a rescued dog who spent the first year of life chained behind a warehouse.  Foxxy has required a great deal of training and care to overcome some of the effects of her past but is now at the center of home life with me and my wife.

Craig Strain: Director of Development

Before APRA
I did contractual development work for nonprofits while being the primary caregiver for a terminally ill parent.

What I enjoy most about my job is
Seeing the love in the eyes of the dogs and cats. It is extremely fulfilling knowing that the work I do will help save animals and provide them a new lease on life – not to mention the love they will bring to their adopting families.

When I am not at APRA I
Am doing volunteer work for other worthwhile nonprofits. I enjoy my time with close friends and my alone time when I can work on my writings.

My pets
I have had the wonderful opportunity of having three special dogs in my life for far many years than you can imagine. I just lost my last, Ben, in September 2011 after spending 15 glorious years together. All three were shelter adoptions and it will soon be time to adopt again. Needless to say, I am working at the right place to find my new family… the problem is I want to take them all home with me.