Meet our Lifesaving Team
Harleigh G- Founder & Executive Director
From the time our founder Harleigh was able to walk and talk, she was passionate about animal welfare. Harleigh rescued her first animal at the age of ten when she convinced her neighbors to sell her 2 pitbull puppies that they were neglecting. That early experience of rescue combined with her love of animals lit a fire in her soul and set her on path to advocate for animal welfare. Harleigh volunteered over a thousand hours in local no kill shelters all through high school gaining invaluable experience in many different positions! Harleigh is currently 25 years old and currently resides in Barrington Hills, IL with her husband, Rafael and 3 dogs, Taco , Xam & Chloe and her Cockatiel, Tulsa! Harleigh’s biggest passion is rescuing tough medical cases, dogs from Mexico, pitbulls, and seniors! Learn more here!
Izabela K- Operations Manager & Medical Director
Meet Izabela! She is our operations and medical manager. She has been in the animal welfare field for over 12 years. She has a special needs dog Nala who was rescued from Mexico. She is paralyzed from the waist down. She also has a rescue cat named Simba who has seizures. She loves working at BTR because animals are her passion in life. Her favorite part of working at BTR is giving dogs new opportunities, as many dogs are at risk of euthanasia at the places they come from and matching them with loving families is the most rewarding part of her job.
Stacy Z- Adoption Manager
Meet Stacy! Stacy has loved animals since before she could talk and has been involved in rescue work since she was a teenager in high school. Her first successful rescue story began in Santorini, Greece when she was 18 years old and rescued a stray (named Thira) from death and flew her back to the United States. Educating the public about the importance of animal rescue has been engrained in her since her very first dog.
During her graduate school years, she studied the correlation between animal abuse and criminal behavior in an effort to bring awareness on how animal cruelty crimes could be a precursor towards other violent crimes. She is a passionate pitbull advocate and has dedicated a lot of her time towards educating the public about the true nature of these dogs and how their misrepresentation only hurts their chances of successful adoption.
Stacy has one pitbull mix at home named Pongo and recently lost her other pitbull, Winnie tragically. Once she is ready to adopt again she knows she will find another best friend through BTR. Stacy loves the mission of Border Tails Rescue and was ecstatic when Harleigh asked her to join the team.
Yanarie M.- Canine Program Manager
Yanarie is our kennel manager , also known as our “Kennel Master” or “Dog Whisperer.” BTR came into their life after adopting Luigi , an American Village dog from Mexico. Since adopting Luigi and working at BTR for years Yanarie has adopted 3 others- Crow, Toad & Drybones. Other than that they’re known for being a serial foster for Hypoglycemic puppies or senior dogs. At BTR Yanarie finds passion in working with timid and/or aggressive dogs, and is always all in to help with lost dogs as well. Yanarie loves working at BTR because after working with animals for years, this is one place they know that makes a difference not only in a million dogs life, but theirs as well. In Yanarie’s spare time they run a small business selling crystals and jewelry they make by hand.
Isabel Y- Shelter Manager
Isabel's life revolves around her deep connection with animals, particularly cats and dogs. Her journey in animal rescue began at a young age, when she started volunteering at her local shelter at just 10 years old. Throughout college, her passion for animal welfare only grew stronger, leading her to establish a student organization focused on supporting shelters in her community.
As she delved deeper into the world of animal care, Isabel honed into her calling in the rescue world as a Foster Coordinator, while establishing her own foster title and specializing in the rehabilitation of hospice, medical, and undersocialized animals. Her dedication to these furry companions is truly commendable, leaving a lasting impact on both them and the communities she serves.
Max A.- Volunteer Coordinator
As Volunteer Coordinator, my goal is to find as many caring people as possible to assist Border Tails with our day-to-day shelter tasks and numerous off-site events. A strong volunteer base is critical for a successful shelter.
I grew up with dogs. They’ve been by my side through almost every wonderful and difficult event in my life and have provided my family with endless joy and comfort.
After volunteering for my first Chicago Wolves/Border Tails adoption event, I was hooked. Shortly thereafter, I made the decision to exit the corporate world and focus more on helping dogs find their forever homes. As someone once said, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
I have one son, Charlie, and two Clumber Spaniels – Monty and Floyd. When I’m not working at the shelter, I enjoy skiing, golf, and petting every dog I happen to pass by (with owner permission, of course).
Jess A- Caregiver
Meet Jessica! Jess is a caregiver at Border Tails Rescue. She enjoys traveling, listening to music, and hanging out with her friends. She also has 3 dogs one of which she has previously adopted from BTR after falling in love with the shy, underdog who kept getting overlooked. She likes working at BTR because she loves to help and care for the doggies in the building! Jess is one of the OG staff members and has been working at BTR for 3 years now.
Caroline F- Medical Assistant
Caroline joined us as an adoption counselor in March 2023. Her love for animals and dedication to finding them loving homes is very apparent! Caroline thrives on the excitement of getting to know each dog individually and finding them their perfect match. She finds joy in the surprises and heartwarming moments that come with the job every day. With her own dog at home and experience with guinea pigs, Caroline's love for animals extends beyond the shelter. Caroline is studying to become a veterinary technician, further enhancing her ability to provide exceptional care.
Julianne D- Assistant Kennel Manager
I was introduced to BTR when I was looking to volunteer at a shelter, and a few months later, I began working here. For me, the best part of working here is being able to see dogs open up and go home with a loving family. I own two rescue dogs, a cat, and a snake. I love any and all animals, and no matter the size or scariness, I believe they all deserve a chance to be loved
Haley R.- Outreach Assistant
Meet Haley! She has spent the past 10 years in the communications field, honing her skills and passion for connecting with others. Haley began volunteering at Border Tails as a dog walker, then expanding her role to support the rescue’s community outreach activities. Her earliest childhood memories involve a deep empathy for animals, avoiding “too sad” movies that had sad animals in them. Today, Haley finds her time at the shelter not only rewarding but a meaningful way to engage with others who share her commitment to animal welfare.
Dylan B.- Caregiver
Meet Dylan! Dylan has been a life-long dog person. He has previously had an amazing German shepherd named Rocky, and a fantastic black lab mix named Chopper. His current dog is an American Bulldog mix named Satchel, who he adopted from BTR on New Years Eve in 2022- Satchel was a long term resident at BTR & a staff favorite! Chopper was his first rescue, and he learned then, that this was the way to go. Later, Dylan's dad started volunteering at a rescue near his home, and would regularly tell him how he felt a sense of fulfillment helping those dogs in need. After starting to work with BTR, Dylan sees where his dad was coming from and agrees. When Dylan is not helping at the rescue, he works independently as a full- time personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach. He also house/dog-sits for some of his clients and friends.
Jessica R.- Adoption Counselor
Jessica grew up with a deep love for animals, having pets of all kinds since childhood. Her connection with Border Tails Rescue began in 2021 when her family adopted a new furry friend. Since then, she and her mother have adopted four dogs from BTR and Jessica decided to join the team. Jessica finds working at BTR incredibly rewarding, surrounded by people who share her passion for animal rescue. Outside of BTR, she works as a registered nurse, loves spoiling her dogs and guinea pigs, and eagerly shares stories about her pets with anyone who will listen.
Esme T. -Assistant Kennel Manager
Meet Esme! Esme has been a caregiver since June of 2022 ever since she started working as a caregiver she has loved every second of it! Dogs have been always around her household after rescuing a dalmatian(from mexico) and a pit bull boxer, after their passing from heart failure/cancer. Esme's goal is to always make a difference for every dog in BTR! On her spare time she is a proud mommy of her 2 year old son. Her other hobbies are listening to music, traveling and spending time with her family.
Megan B.- Adoption Counselor
Megan is a passionate advocate for animal welfare, dedicating her career to making a positive impact on the lives of animals in need. As an Adoption Counselor at our shelter, Megan brings a wealth of experience and a deep love for animals to her role.
Megan adopted her Shetland Sheepdog from Border Tails Rescue in July 2023, and began volunteering at BTR prior to accepting employment. She understands the importance of creating a nurturing and enriching environment for shelter animals. She is committed to ensuring that each animal receives the care, attention, and love they deserve during their time at the shelter.
Beyond her duties within the shelter, Megan is actively involved in community outreach and education programs, advocating for responsible pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutering. She believes that by working together, we can create a more compassionate world for animals.
When she's not at the shelter, Megan enjoys spending time with her cat Kizzy and dog Brisket.
Kyera- Adoption Counselor
Kyera fell in love with Border Tails Rescue (BTR) after her childhood dog, Cooper, passed away. While searching for a shelter that could use open medicine donations, she found BTR—the only shelter that could use these donations to help other dogs in need. Despite promising herself she would never have another dog, she visited BTR for a shelter tour, meeting the dogs, workers, and volunteers. The experience ignited a passion in her to do more to help.
After her visit, Kyera found herself browsing the BTR website, where she discovered Baby Carrot, a dog whose name stood out to her because "baby carrots" were the only treats her beloved Cooper could have due to his allergies. It felt like they were meant to find each other. Finding Baby Carrot was the start of her passion for rescue work. Since then, she has adopted, volunteered, fostered several pups, and now works at BTR.
After meeting Harleigh and her team, Kyera knew she wanted to be a part of BTR, and she is now thrilled to continue her journey in rescue, dedicating her free time to helping dogs in need.”
Alivia- Adoption Counselor
Alivia started working at Border Tails as an introduction to the world of animal rescue. Her love for animals has only grown stronger through her work here. In addition to her role at Border Tails Rescue, Alivia plans to attend cosmetology school to pursue her passion for hair, makeup, and all things beauty. She's rescued two chihuahuas, including Winnie (aka Masala) from Border Tails, and loved hanging out with her sister’s foster dog, Pinky who was just adopted!
Her time at Border Tails is filled with joy and fulfillment. She works so hard to find "furever" homes for our beloved pups, and the experience has been nothing short of transformative. Her dual passions for animal rescue and cosmetology showcase her multifaceted interests and dedication to making a positive impact in both fields. With her compassionate heart and creative spirit, Alivia is poised to continue making a difference in the lives of animals and people alike. She eagerly looks forward to many more happy endings for all the dogs she loves so much!
Kevin N- Caregiver
Kevin started working at BTR as a way to break into the animal field. He has always been an animal lover, glued to the TV watching animal planet, Discovery Channel or looking at pictures in books. He was obsessed with animals at a young age- dogs, cats, birds, fish, spiders, etc- he’s owned them all! He is pursuing a career in Wildlife biology and wants to get into conservation, so he thought BTR would be a great start. Ever since working here, he’s fallen in love with it! It just proved to Kevin that working with animals was what he was meant to do, and during his time at BTR, he will do everything he can to make sure every dog is taken care of and can eventually find their forever home.
Madeleine S. - Adoption Counselor and Photographer
Madeleine has been involved in the world of rescue for over 15 years, focusing mostly on hospice, special needs, and neglect cases. She joined the BTR community in 2023, becoming the shelter's photographer after adopting a blind dog and wanting to become involved in the organization! In 2024 she joined the adoption staff on site as well and loves every minute of it!
Madeleine is a full-time portrait and equine photographer when she isn't at BTR, and spends her summers traveling throughout the US with her camera. She lives in Chicago with her husband, their dog Preacher, and her horse Kitty.
Lauren B- Caregiver
Lauren has always had a deep love for dogs and believes every one of them deserves a safe, loving home. The joy she finds in working with rescue dogs inspires her daily to put in the effort needed to help them find a place where they feel loved, secure, and genuinely part of a family. Her dedication and passion are vital parts of the Border Tails Rescue team!
Brandi- Medical Assistant
Brandi studied animal science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with the goal of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. With experience working with a range of animals—from pigs and chickens to cows, goats, and horses—she has found tremendous growth and learning opportunities at Border Tails Rescue. Here, Brandi has gained hands-on experience administering vaccines, creating treatment plans, and performing diagnostic tests. She values the family-like atmosphere, where both staff and animals are treated with care and respect. Brandi, who has a German Shepherd named Kai, feels a special connection to every German Shepherd that comes through BTR's doors. Her dedication to restoring the health of rescue dogs and preparing them for their forever homes shines through her work every day.
Nate P.- Kennel Manager
Nate (he/him) is an experienced animal care provider with a focus on working with challenging dogs. He has gained valuable experience at Doggy Day Cares, where he developed skills in handling reactive and high-energy dogs. At home, Nate has a reactive GSD x Pit mix who surprisingly gets along with his five cats, along with a pit bull he saved from Chicago and two turtles!
A lifelong animal lover, Nate has always had a variety of pets, including dogs, cats, and reptiles of all species. With a strong passion for animal care, he's excited to continue his career in the field and expand his knowledge.
Molly K - Kennel Manager
Molly (She/They) is an animal care professional with extensive experience across a variety of species. They began their career at a wildlife center, spending 3 years working with premature mammals and gaining invaluable skills in animal rehabilitation and rescue. After that, Molly transitioned to grooming, specializing in cats and large dogs for 2 years. They also have hands-on experience in horse rehabilitation, supporting the recovery and well-being of these majestic animals.
Molly’s passion for animals began early—at just two weeks old, their first cat, Kitty, was born beside them, sparking a lifelong connection with animals. Over the years, they've cared for a wide range of animals, including a rescue Great Pyrenees and a sweet rescue ball python. Today, Molly shares their home with 10 pets of various species, reflecting their lifelong dedication to compassionate care and animal welfare.
Coming soon…
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Coming soon…
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