Membership & Board

Meet our board of directors.

Membership

Join Our Community

Membership is defined by the Board of Directors as any person who contributes $5.00 or more.

Currently there are 144 members.

Become a Member
Leadership

2024 Officers

President: Pamela Blesh
Vice-President: Rona Houser
Secretary: Deb Tarentella
Treasurer & Vet Liaison: Christina Livingston, DVM

Other board members: Alyce Baker, Sherri Cokefair, Kelly Fisher, Heather Lively, Debra Mitchell, Jackie Parucha, Krish Pillai, JoAnn Williams

Board Profiles

Director Introductions

Pamela Blesh

President
  1. Graduate of Lock Haven High School; taught multiple elementary grade levels for 38 years
  2. B.S. from Lock Haven State Teachers College; M.L.A. from Lock Haven University; additional graduate coursework at Bucknell University and Penn State University
  3. Deeply involved in community and professional organizations including HELP for Pets (President), Phi Delta Kappa, Sigma Sigma Sigma, PASR, Daughters of the American Revolution, Clinton County Historical Society, and Delta Kappa Gamma — honored twice as a Woman of Distinction; also active with the American Whippet Club, Covenant Café, and the Alliance of Therapy Dogs
  4. Hobbies include music (piano, harp, flute), line dancing, Zumba, exercise classes, and traveling; enjoyed showing Arabian and Half-Arabian horses in the Amateur Western Pleasure Division — both earned Legion of Honor awards
  5. Initiated the Animal Oxygen Resuscitation Mask Project for Clinton County, expanding lifesaving resources for local first responders
  6. Began therapy dog work in 2002 with Therapy Dog International; Whippets Merci Isle Honor, Merci Isle Magnolia (recipient of the American Whippet Club's 2023 Willow Award), and Hyflyte Fleet Fox (Foxy) are certified with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs

Rona Houser

Vice-President
  1. Journalism degree from Lock Haven University, 1994; owner of Lucky 13 Cleaning for over ten years
  2. Board member of the Annie Halenbake Ross Library; volunteers weekly at The Haven Cupboard
  3. Co-Chair for the Clinton County Relay for Life for many years
  4. Lives with golden retriever Cora and seven cats

Deb Tarentella

Secretary
  1. Owner and pet groomer of Tarantella's "Sudsy Pup" in Renovo, PA since 2009
  2. Career in the pet industry since 1983; attended PA Academy of Pet Grooming
  3. Lifelong resident of Renovo; became a board member in 2013

Christina Livingston, DVM

Treasurer & Veterinary Liaison
  1. Founder of HELP for Pets; earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine; previously completed a B.S. in Music at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
  2. Lives in Lock Haven with her husband, Jeff, and their rescue pets: Asher (a golden retriever mix), Pejjo (a German shepherd who became deaf while serving in Iraq as an IED detection dog), Gracie (a terrier), and Brownie, a former barn cat who now rules the sofa
  3. Performs soft-tissue surgery at the Animal Medical Center of Nittany Valley; active member of Great Island Presbyterian Church; core team member with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, building beds for children in need throughout Clinton County
  4. Has a special dedication to the care and advocacy of retired military service dogs, honoring their service and ensuring they receive the support they deserve

Sherri Cokefair

Board Member
  1. Biology B.S. and veterinary degree from University of Pennsylvania (2002)
  2. Opened Calico Creek Veterinary Clinic in 2008
  3. Lives in Mill Hall, PA with husband, 2 children, 3 cats, and 1 dog

Kelly Fisher

Board Member
  1. Pittsburgh native; B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University; Project Manager at Syensqo, leading Aerospace and Defense initiatives
  2. Founder and Executive Director of Appalachian Pug Rescue, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Lock Haven dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating pugs and pug mixes
  3. Dedicated fitness instructor at the YMCA, teaching multiple classes and providing swim lessons
  4. Shares her home with two pugs and three cats — all rescues; both pugs are certified therapy dogs through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs
  5. Enjoys traveling and attending sporting events with her husband

Krish Pillai

Board Member
  1. Teaches Computer Science at Lock Haven University; PhD and M.S. in Computer Engineering from SMU
  2. Has 3 dogs, all adopted from pounds in TX and PA

JoAnn Williams

Board Member
  1. Marketing Director, Analytical Chemicals at Supelco (Sigma Aldrich) — 38+ years
  2. Certifications in Project Management (U. Wisconsin) and Supply Chain Management (Penn State)
  3. Born and raised in Lamar, PA; married 39 years to David Williams

Heather Lively

Board Member
  1. Has worked in banking since 2005 and currently serves as the Community Office Manager at Woodlands Bank's Lock Haven branch
  2. Lives in Jersey Shore with her husband, Josh, and their one-year-old Brittany, Trout
  3. Active member of the Rotary Club of Downtown Lock Haven
  4. Enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and being with her family
  5. Passionate about helping pet owners provide the care their furry family members need

Jackie Parucha

Board Member
  1. Works for Lugg and Lugg Law Firm and the Clinton County Community Foundation
  2. Lives in Mill Hall with husband Mike and 8 rescued cats

Debra Mitchell

Board Member
  1. Executive Administrative Assistant for Clinton County Government for 37 years, retired 2014
  2. Lives in Beech Creek with husband Charles and Weimaraner Lily Grey

Alyce Baker

Board Member
  1. Teaches English at Lock Haven University; Ph.D. in Literature from IUP (2009)
  2. Has three cats: Oscar, Sylvie, and Winston

Support HELP for Pets

Your donation funds interest-free emergency veterinary loans for Clinton County pet owners in need.

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Venmo: @Loansforpets  |  Or mail a check to: HELP for Pets, P.O. Box 541, Lock Haven, PA 17745

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