The Faces Behind the Hearts
Valarie Hajek Adams, CVT: Founder, President, Director; Hospice Caregiver
As a certified veterinary technician for over 39 years, I have seen enough changes in veterinary medicine to fill a book! It is, perhaps, those very changes that prompted me to search for ways to assist the pet families I respect and care for in even more meaningful ways, especially at the sacred time of End of Life. To me, the pet(s) and the family are one unit. That’s how it’s always been for my husband and I. In the past, we were probably viewed as “over the top” when it came to caring and loving our pets ~ and that might have even come from some in the veterinary profession! It’s really nice to know that we don’t have to make excuses for that anymore.
Life took some sad roads for me and I didn’t always bounce back 100%. The climb back up was sometimes steep. But, I think these tough twists and turns that life dealt me have given me more to be grateful for, a few lessons to pass on to others and an insight into understanding the human animal bond that I never would have had if the road had always been smooth. Through it all I learned to keep my eye on the greater good.
It is now my honor and privilege to be one of the educators, along with my lecture partner and others, in this emerging field of Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Care I am humbled to have been mentored by well-respected talented professionals. I continue to work toward educating both pet parents and veterinary professionals about the options we now have for End of Life with pets thereby bridging the gap between the world of medicine and the world of families advocating on behalf of their pets.
I love playing with my horses! They feed my heart and soul and help me find my spirit when I think it’s lost. Our once orphan kitty, JinJee, has taught us that we are not too old to raise a little one again even though she tests that fact at least once a day! And, I love singing. I come from a long line of lovely singers and I really believe it’s genetics. So, on any given day (or night), you might find me singing a Bonnie Raitt or Joni Mitchell song while riding a horse or a tractor or pitching manure or playing with a rambunctious kitten.
Lisa Peters, DVM, DACVECC: Director and Vice President
As a board member, I am honored to be a part of a much needed facet of veterinary medicine that is so vital to the human animal bond. My vision for HHFI is to be able to provide emotional and financial support for pet parents and their cherished family members and to promote partnerships in the human animal bond. I also believe strongly in education both for the community and for our local veterinary community. Awareness can only create improved veterinary care and guidance for our families. I share my days with my husband, Jay Peters, who is also a veterinarian, and our children Samuel and Ella. We have two Bernese Mountain Dogs, Levi and Lily, a horse named Sundance and two chickens, Bella and Goldie.
Terri Cole, DVM, DACVIM: Director and Secretary
I chose to be involved in HHFI because the foundation recognizes and values the human animal bond. As a board member, I hope to advance the services available that honor this bond. I am excited to be involved in its establishment and hope to see it grow in its capacity to validate and support the value of animals in our lives. I share my life and home with my husband Jim, children Madeline and Cole, two dogs (Kirby and Bindi) and the feline head of the house, Newton.
Audra D. Mead, SPHR: Director and Treasurer
I have an internally deep commitment to the success of this Foundation as its pure mission to honor the spirit of the human animal bond resonates within my soul. As a board member, I hope to be able to utilize my skill sets to grow the success of the Foundation…and in turn, provide services to those pet families in need. I am a pet parent and know how the bond we nurture with our ‘babies’ cannot easily be put into words…and therefore, not always easily understood. The Foundation is creating a strong base from which to launch programs and services needed by pet families and provided by people who truly understand. I envision our future where we continue to honor these bonds and provide unparalleled support in our pet families’ journeys through love and loss.
Christy Rach, CVT: Director; Hospice Caregiver
I believe in our mission and want to strive to provide the community with programs that center around the importance of the human animal bond. I hope that I can contribute to facilitate programs that make a difference in the lives of people and their pets. As veterinary professionals, we do a good job of supporting families in the health of their pets. As an extension of that care, we should be doing an equally good job at seeing them through end of life care. I feel it is important that the community has a specialized resource to help them through end of life care with their pets. I live with my husband Eric and our three beautiful 4-legged children. Our first “born” is Schmegal a 7 yr old, male Boston Terrier. He is the light of my life and the reason I understand the incredible bond dogs and humans can share. Our middle child is Brutus a 6 yr old, male Boston Terrier. He is the athlete of the family and plays the middle child role well! The youngest but largest in stature is Darla our 3 yr old English Bulldog. She is our clown, always making us laugh. She reminds us to go with the flow. They are what keep me going each and every day.
Rebecca Blink, Ph.D.: Director
I want to be able to “give back” in some way. I have been fortunate to have a human animal bond with one of my pets (Hugo) that I believe only happens once in a lifetime. Unfortunately, after 7 1/2 years, I lost my best friend and a piece of me went with him. I am volunteering my time as a board member for HHFI for one reason – to honor Hugo’s memory. I will cherish the time I had with him even more if I can assist other pets and their parents in some way. It is my hope that the HHFI establishes itself as the leading care-provider for pets as they exit this world of ours. I would like to see our organization be able to provide not only emotional assistance, but also financial assistance to pets and owners who need it because I have seen what is possible. No pet should ever have to be euthanized because an owner could not afford the care for it to get healthy. In my many visits to the Fox Valley Animal Referral Center, I have witnessed pet parents whose most cherished companion is his/her pet. Watching them have to make the toughest decision of their life based solely on money simply breaks my heart. In a perfect world, all pet owners would be able to afford the care that is necessary for their animals. Since we don’t live in a perfect world, I know that probably is not possible. However, even helping one more pet parent get the care their pet needs and making a difference in that person’s life is worth the effort. I have two dogs: Hannah is a 9 year old Miniature Pinscher and Guenther is a 2 year old Miniature Pinscher.
