Staff Spotlight Archives - Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY

Staff Spotlight: Dania

Will Braithwaite — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 17:31:56 +0000

We’re excited to welcome Dania Puerto to the PAWS NY team as our new Foster Administrator, overseeing elements of our foster program such as placing pets in volunteer foster homes, communicating with both foster volunteers and pet guardians, and ultimately reuniting pets with their guardians.

After growing up in rural Colombia with dogs and chickens and rabbits (and more!), Dania is thrilled to work for a place that supports people and their pets. “When I heard about this position, I thought it was beautiful and that it completely resonated with my values,” she said, “PAWS is the perfect place for me.”

Keep reading Dania’s Q&A below to learn more about her hobbies and interests here in NYC, plus her adorable dog Tony!

What has your career been like leading up to PAWS NY? How did you make your way into the nonprofit world?

I made my way around non-profits when I was 11! Freshly out of elementary school, I joined an organization that focused on immigration rights, where I stayed for about 10 years. From there, I dabbled between administrative roles in different medical settings and other non-profits that focused on human rights across the board—police violence, LGBTQ rights, senior housing rights, immigration, and everything in between and beyond.

What about this position and organization attracted you? Why are you excited to be on the PAWS NY staff?

Being born and raised for half of my childhood in rural Colombia, I’ve always had a strong affinity for animals. Horses, donkeys, chickens, ducks, pigs… I think things took a strong turn when I became a furry mom to Tony, and when a dear friend of mine got a service dog, Arrebol, who was also my roommate three years later. At the start of 2021, when people were being asked to return to the office, I began taking care of other people’s dogs, many of which were rescued. The combination of Tony, Arrebol, and the sweet dogs I was caring for made me think of all the pets that, without certain economic resources, would be separated from their owners. I saw firsthand how strong the bond between humans and their pets can be, including my own. So, when I heard about this position, I thought it was beautiful and that it completely resonated with my values. (I was literally looking for positions that would light up my soul and found PAWS!!)

Tell us about your pets, past & present.

There are a lot! Many of the animals I grew up with, I thought of as pets—until they ended up as food back home (mostly the chickens). Here are some of the actual pets:

Rocky: We never knew his breed, but he lived a long, happy life. He was the first dog in my life. He loved coming with my uncle and me to pick flowers because my uncle would indulge him with yummy treats and bread. He also had a habit of killing some neighbors’ chickens when he got bored. But when he wasn’t chasing chickens, he was top-tier!

Kamacho: A Chihuahua mix who LOVED pooping right when the light turned green in the middle of the street. He was a traffic stopper, who also knew exactly when to hop onto the bed without moving as much so my mom wouldn’t scream at us. Unfortunately, my mom grew allergic to him, so we had to give him back to his prior owner, who was also a friend and able to keep him. I also grew up with many bunnies, chickens, and ducks.

Tony: My baby boy, who came from Colombia about six years ago. He became a little Instagram-famous after he got lost in Flushing Meadows Park. He ended up chilling on the bed of the people who found him like nothing happened! I retrieved him the next day, and he hasn’t gotten lost since. Tony is the best pup you could ever meet and we love being lazy and going out together. Here’s a pic of Tony, his cousin Elo, and Arrebol again… because they are too cute!

Did you grow up in NYC? If not, when did you move here? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Colombia until I was about 6 or 7. I try to go back every year since. Queens has been my only home in the States

What is your favorite thing (or things) about living in NYC?
Hm, I do love walking around Midtown at night. I also love that in Jackson Heights, you can satisfy all your cravings in one day. I love that my niece is Colombian, but since she grew up in a mostly Mexican three-family building, her Spanish has a Mexican accent. I love that communities build together regardless of their background. I love that living here means we have the privilege of being in organizations like PAWS, where the mission/vision of this organization is inspiring and doesn’t seem like an impossible reality. I also love the access we have to art and music, and the fact that we’re only a drive away from upstate!

What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time?

I actually love working on my DIY calendars, reading, watching reruns of shows I’ve seen hundreds of times, and trying new sushi spots!

Welcome to the team, Dania! Be sure to follow PAWS NY on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!

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Staff Spotlight: Will

Will Braithwaite — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:55:18 +0000

We’re excited to welcome Will Braithwaite to the PAWS NY team as our new Communications Manager, overseeing all elements of marketing and communications for the organization.

After seeing the strong bond between his grandfather and his dog Dolly, Will is thrilled to work for a place that supports people and their pets. “I knew I wanted to be part of an organization that really makes a difference to animal lovers all over the city,” he said, “and PAWS is the perfect place.”

We have Will’s fiancé Carsen to thank for making the introduction. A PAWS NY volunteer, she introduced him to the organization–and then her PAWS pups Goldie and Muffin Sugar (and their guardian). Keep reading Will’s Q&A below to learn more about his hobbies and interests here in NYC, plus the two rescue cats that he and Carsen call their own!

What has your career been like leading up to PAWS NY? How did you make your way into the nonprofit world?

I actually started my career in the ad tech world, marketing ads for mobile gaming apps. I moved to New York after graduating from Vanderbilt University with a degree in American Studies and did a number of odd jobs including playing guitar for people’s proposals and being an extra on the show Succession. It was my fiancé Carsen who introduced me to PAWS NY; she had been volunteering for years and ended up running the marathon with PAWS in November!

What about this position and organization attracted you? Why are you excited to be on the PAWS NY staff?

PAWS NY’s mission of helping people by helping pets spoke to my heart so clearly. My grandpa is 91 years old and adopted an adorable puppy, Dolly, two years ago. She totally changed his life! I knew I wanted to be part of an organization that really makes a difference to animal lovers all over the city, and PAWS is the perfect place. I also really love the people at PAWS NY; it’s clear they really care about helping others and their love for animals is infectious!

Tell us about your pets, past & present.

I have two adorable cats, Goose and Buffy. Both were rescues (Goose is from the Bronx but he doesn’t have an accent, Buffy’s from Brooklyn). My fiancé actually surprised me one Christmas when I came home and a 6-week-old tabby cat was sitting in my bathroom sink! We’ve been best friends ever since.

Did you grow up in NYC? If not, when did you move here? Where do you live now?

I grew up in the suburbs outside Philadelphia and moved to New York in 2018. I live in Crown Heights, Brooklyn now.

What is your favorite thing (or things) about living in NYC?

I love the music scene of New York! I’m a guitarist and I love that you can see a mind-blowing show any night of the week. This past summer my friends and I saw Lauryn Hill open for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Central Park (I know, should have been the other way around), and it was such a quintessential NYC experience!

What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time?

Outside of work, I’m a huge comedy nerd. I love performing improv and sketch comedy with my friends around Brooklyn.

Welcome to the team, Will! Be sure to follow PAWS NY on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to see his work in action every day!

The post Staff Spotlight: Will appeared first on Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY.

Staff Spotlight: David

Kimberly Green — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 13:17:03 +0000

David with Harpo and Quasi

The PAWS NY team is growing, and we recently hired David Merrell as our Institutional Giving Manager, focusing on grants and other forms of institutional support.

After working in both banking and creative writing, David eventually ended up working as a grant writer, which combines fundraising and writing—and helping others! A proud dog guardian, David has had pets all his life and understands the value they bring to our lives. He’s excited to bring it all together in this new role at PAWS NY, and we’re glad to have him helping us raise more money to help even more New Yorkers and pets.

Read more about David and his two pups in his full Q&A below!

What has your career been like leading up to PAWS NY? How did you make your way into the nonprofit world?

I have a background in banking and creative writing, two completely different worlds! In banking I learned customer service and sales skills, but ultimately wanted to explore my creative side and help people. After graduating from New York University with a degree in Creative Writing and Literature, I wrote various pieces while also working as a dog walker and sitter for dozens of canines over New York City. Having volunteered for various nonprofits in the past, as well as working as a grant writer for a nonprofit that breaks cycles of poverty, I am now excited to be working for PAWS NY, an organization that helps people and animals.

What about this position and organization attracted you? Why are you excited to be on the PAWS NY staff?

I have been passionate about animals my entire life, having grown up with dogs and cats. I also know how important and valuable pets are as a wonderful support to humans. Throughout the years I have witnessed individuals going through life circumstances that make it difficult for them to take care of their own pets. When I learned about PAWS and what they offer, my heart sang. I am thrilled to join the PAWS NY team and help vulnerable New Yorkers and their pets!

Tell us about your pets, both past & present.

I am a proud guardian of two dogs, Harpo and Quasi. I met them fifteen years ago at a rescue event. I learned they are brothers who were found on the streets alone and had stuck together. They immediately jumped in my lap, and I adopted them both, as I didn’t want to separate them. They have been my wonderful support ever since! They are about to turn 16 years old. I also grew up with two dogs, Puppins and Coco, and a cat named Frisco, who lived to be 21!

Did you grow up in NYC? If not, when did you move here? Where do you live now?

I grew up in Seattle, Washington. I moved to New York nine years ago and live in Midtown Manhattan.

What is your favorite thing (or things) about living in NYC?

The arts and creativity! I love the various museums, musicals, plays, shows, dance, opera, and experimental art that the city holds. Never a dull moment, I see art on just about every corner of this incredible city that has so much diversity and inclusion, where artists from all over the world, from different ages, race, and gender identities tell their story.

What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time?

I love pop culture! Movies, music, concerts, tv, books, I love a good story. One of my favorite things to do is binge watch a great show with my two dogs by my side.

Anything else you’d like to share with the PAWS NY community?

I am so excited to join this incredible organization and fantastic team! My two dogs are thrilled as well, and hopefully they’ll come in to work one of these days!

We can’t wait to meet Harpo and Quasi in person and are thrilled to have you on board, David!

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