President
Sandi Dalton
Sandi has been passionate about helping animals since early childhood. When she couldn’t wait any longer to get started, she started volunteering as a veterinarian’s assistant at age 13. She soon earned her certification as a Small Animal Dietician. Years later she completed a program in Holistic Care for Companion Animals. Sandi has been active in TNR (trap, neuter, return) and taming of feral cats of all ages. She has experience caring for cats with special health needs and dogs with challenging containment issues.
Sandi moved to Westcliffe in 2003. She makes her living as a freelance writer and photographer and volunteers as a DJ for KLZR, our local radio station.
Vice President
Steve Broeckel
Many of you know Steve Broeckel simply as “Franco’s person”, so it won’t surprise you to learn that he has a passion for working with animals. After completing pre-vet studies, Steve was accepted to Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Raising a child and supporting his family came first and he chose not to move to Iowa. Steve has volunteered for the Dakota Zoo, worked with horses at the Flying M Ranch in Northern California, and as an animal control officer for Lincoln, North Dakota. He moved to Custer County in 2015 and served on the Board of Directors for the Dundee Memorial Dog Park, in Silver Cliff, Colorado, prior to joining Wet Mountain Animal Welfare.
Secretary
Kevin Zwack
Kevin is one of the cofounders of WMAW and has had dogs since childhood. His current canine companion is Angel, an elderly black/lab mix who still loves to fetch tennis balls.
Treasurer
Heidi Ensley
Born and raised in San Diego, California, moving to Westcliffe, Colorado six years ago! Worked for the San Diego Zoo for 34 years, starting as a children's Zoo primate and hoof stock nursery attendant, then a main zoo keeper, and then a trainer in the Animal Behavior Dept. retiring early as a lead and master trainer of exotics. My experience with a vast array of exotics that could only be found at a zoo the size of San Diego's, gave me the experience and knowledge to work with challenging individual animals, and learn how to positively present them to the public. I was involved in everything from school programs, tour groups, donor parties, trouble shooting behavioral issues with exhibit animals and daily amphitheater presentations. Animal behavior is a fascinating arena in which to hone your skills, make animals as comfortable and enriched as possible, and share them with a public that needs to learn about them in order to appreciate and protect them. The humane care of all animals is always my primary consideration.
Board Member
Darlene Reed
I grew up in Iowa on our family farm and we had lots of pets, and have lived in Colorado for 30 years, moving to Westcliffe to retire in 2019. My “local” family consists of my two cats, Taz and Snugglebutt.
I have a Bachelor of arts degree in Social work with an emphasis on foster care, adoption and in home elderly care. I have been a nurse's assistant, security guard at Stapleton and Denver International Airport for over 6 years, postal clerk and letter carrier with USPS, and have cared for many couples with in-home elderly care. I was a foster parent for many years, which led to the adoption of my two sons. I am a Grandma to three grandsons who live in New Mexico. Presently, I serve as the President of the Custer County Senior Citizen's Center and on the Bishop's committee at St. Luke's Episcopal church. I really enjoy caring for kids, pets and seniors. I hope to live here next to the mountains until I die!
Advisor
Gin Huffman
info coming soon
Past Board Members
Melissa Carey
Melissa is one of the founders of WMAW and has played a huge part in the Pet Waggin that supplies cat and dog food to needy owners. She pet sits for the community and does some selective grooming. We are lucky to have her as our president. She has been active with horses since the age of five, and started showing dogs at the age of 10- Belgian Sheepdogs. She rode QH's, TB's in Hunter Jumper divisions and got her first horse at the age of 15. She bred and showed JRT's and miniature horses for over 20 years. At one point her mini horses were ranked in the top ten in the nation as performance horses. She trained and showed minis professionally across the country. She started grooming dogs at ten years old with some of the dogs going onto the Westminster Kennel Club show at Madison Square Gardens. She owned a pet store for over ten years where they handled pet supplies and sold reptiles, fish, small mammals and bred and sold their own pet birds. They did a lot of bird rescue from finches to Macaws. She also helped with the cat spay/neuter clinic in Richmond VA and Charlottesville, VA. To top it off she worked for a vet for over 5 years in Baltimore, MD
Cyn Williams
Rest in Peace Cynthia. As a founder of WMAW we all owe you a debt of gratitude.
Paula Novasal
Former President till she moved to TN.
Raeona Austin
Former board member till she moved to TN.
Allison Gelfand Sable
Former secretary Allison has a long history of working with animals. She's got a degree in Animal Science from CSU. She has also worked in animal care facilities of various kinds. She has been active in 501c3's her whole life and even more active in the animal community. She currently owns and operates a Westcliffe ranch with over 60 animals and more than 6 species.