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.
Claire H- Shelter Manager
Claire started working at BTR at the beginning of October 2022 as an adoption counselor and has loved every part of it, she was quickly promoted to shelter manager due to her dedication and hard work at the shelter. She manages events, staff and does adoptions in addition to so many other things.
She graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2022 and used to teach Middle School ELA in Chicago! She enjoys learning the personalities of our long term dogs and finds it rewarding to see families come in and find their new family member. Claire is our resident comedian- she always has a smile on her face and is willing to help with whatever she is asked. She recently lost her childhood dog named Max and has a soft spot for senior dogs.
Yanarie M.- Kennel 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.
Tori A. - Community Outreach Coordinator
Tori’s journey with BTR began in 2022 where she dove right in, volunteering and fostering dogs in need. Her expertise in digital marketing played a pivotal role in growing our social presence. She hit the ground running, recruiting volunteers, holding orientations, and actively participating in planning and attending events. We are so lucky to have her! Tori is a dog enthusiast, competing in dog sports and shows with her two amazing companions, Mookie and Blitz. She holds a special place in her heart for cattle dogs and is always the first to know when we welcome one into our care.
Caroline F- Adoption Counselor
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.
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.
Kayla L- Caregiver
Meet Kayla! She has been with the BTR family since March of 2022. It has been the best decision she has made to take care of these amazing dogs. It comes so naturally to her; She grew up with dogs like they’re extra family members. She has two black lab mixes. She rescued them locally and named them Koda and Stanley. Having two dogs of her own hasn’t stopped her family from fostering! She takes litters of puppies ranging from 2 to 9 at a time. It'’s a lot of work but she loves to help out her mom and take care of the pups with her. When she’s not at the shelter, her passion is makeup and that’s what she really wants to do in the future. She loves the artistic outlet of it and it lets her be freely creative with her skills.
Julianne D- Caregiver
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
Kc G. - Adoption Counselor
Introducing Kc, a valued member of our team since March 2022. Initially joining as a caregiver, Kc has since transitioned into the role of Adoption Counselor. Currently enrolled as a pre-veterinary student, he is diligently working towards his Bachelor's degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.
Kc's commitment to our mission is exemplified through his dedication to the rehabilitation of dogs, a task he finds great fulfillment in. His eagerness to assist with medical cases demonstrates his unwavering compassion. Kc truly spends the time and patience to understand each dog’s behavior and personality in hopes of being the best “match maker” with adopters.
Even amidst challenging moments in rescue work, Kc maintains a positive attitude, consistently wearing a smile. He eagerly looks forward to furthering his contributions, leveraging his dedication, expertise, and profound love for animals as he progresses towards veterinary school.
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.
Eric H- Adoption Counselor
With his background in various Human Resources roles in the healthcare industry, Eric brings a unique set of skills and a passion for animal rescue to our organization. Eric's journey with Border Tails Rescue began when he learned about our mission. When he's not at the shelter, you can often find Eric exploring the great outdoors with his loyal four-legged companion. Whether it's hiking through scenic trails, strolling along the beach, or simply enjoying nature's wonders, Eric and Abby love soaking up the beauty of the natural world together. Eric is a passionate sports enthusiast. He enthusiastically supports teams like the Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, Cubs, and his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes.
Abby B- Adoption Counselor
Abby has been working at Border Tails since May of 2021. She started as a caregiver, and after getting injured on her high school basketball team, she switched into an adoption counselor role. Abby is a senior at Maine West High School. Abby loves to play basketball and spend time with friends in her free time. Abby’s favorite dog of all time is Maddox. Abby has rescued two dogs from BTR, pookie (7 yr old chihuahua x) and pearl aka sugar (1 yr old great pyrenees pit bull x). Her favorite thing about BTR is meeting all the wonderful adopters and helping dogs all throughout the country find their forever home. BTR has changed Abby’s life and she couldn’t imagine a better job! One thing about Abby that her coworkers love is that she is always smiling and a joy to be around!
Esme T. -Caregiver
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.
Sandra C. -Caregiver
Sandra is a compassionate and helpful individual who takes great joy in various activities, including journaling, occasional drawing, and immersing herself in the outdoors. However, her deepest passion lies in her love for animals. Sandra is thrilled to have the opportunity to work at Border Tails, where she can dedicate her time to assisting and caring for these adorable canines. With a heart full of enthusiasm, she looks forward to embarking on this new and exciting chapter in her life, where the pawprints of these wonderful doggies will leave a lasting impression.
Jose S.- Caregiver
Jose started working at BTR as a caregiver at the beginning of June of 2023. He came into the shelter with already a few years of working as an animal caregiver, and chose to continue with it because of his love of the hard work and reward it gives. He enjoys every part of getting to help care for the dogs behind the scenes, keeping up with the hard work that it takes to care for all the animals with the whole rest of the team. He also enjoys learning new things and ways of doing things that will help the dogs experience the best lives they can have while they wait to end up in their forever homes.
José has had the opportunity of currently going through a program to become a veterinary technician. He has loved every opportunity to care for animals he has gotten throughout his life. He grew up with a family dog and cared for many different rodents, fish, and a couple of tree frogs. He also enjoyed any and all the time he got to spend with his 13-year-old family, and childhood dog Jack before he passed from cancer a few months after starting to work. The quietness in his house was not long lived, as it wasn't too long before José and his family adopted another similar dog, Buddy, from Border Tails this time. This has come as José has just started a new phase of his own life and a new boost in desire to learn new things.
Jessica J.- Caregiver
Jessica J is a vibrant animal enthusiast with a heart as big as her love for creatures big and small. Her passion lies in working with animals, a love that fuels her dreams of one day owning a menagerie of dogs, cats, and even chickens.
In her downtime, Jessica can often be found wandering through nature preserves, reveling in the melodies of birdsong and the occasional glimpse of a deer. T
When she's not immersed in the animal kingdom, Jessica finds joy in the digital realm, where she enjoys building virtual worlds in Minecraft and indulging in the endless array of funny animal videos that bring laughter to her days.
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.
Ashlee M - Caregiver
Meet Ashlee! She has been working for BTR since September 2023. She has loved animals since she was a little girl and has always wanted to work with animals. She has two cats, one she has had since she was five- Cheyenne a calico! The other one is her rescue cat Ginger, an orange tabby. She started working at BTR because she wanted to have a career where she felt like she was making a difference. She believes that all animals deserve to find a home and be loved.
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.
Roger R- Caregiver
Roger has always loved animals. He currently has a basset hound/beagle and 2 cats that he rescued from the outdoors. When he turned 18, he became vegan and would go to protests and marches for animals rights. It has been a while since he has involved himself with helping animals, and he wanted to get involved again, so he joined Border Tails Rescue. What he loves most about BTR is knowing that we are making a difference in these dog’s lives. He also loves seeing the dogs being adopted, and the dedication the team puts in for all of our shelter dogs.
Dulce A- Caregiver
Dulce has harbored a profound love for animals since her early years, finding companionship and solace in the company of birds, dogs, and cats. Her bond with her Chihuahua, Nacho, was particularly special until his passing a few years ago, leaving an indelible mark on her heart.She decided to channel her interests into action by joining BTR-aiming to deepen her knowledge of animal care and welfare.
Looking ahead, Dulce aspires to once again share her life with a canine companion and potentially explore the joys of owning different species such as cats, bunnies, or even a ferret. In her leisure moments, she immerses herself in the world of art, finding joy in bringing characters from her favorite cartoons and games to life on paper.