Our volunteers give everything they have to change dogs’ lives
Board of Directors
Hayley Frier
Chief Operating Officer
Hayley started volunteering in August 2015. She began her rescue journey as a foster and found her passion shortly after by joining the Adoption team. After leading the Adoption team for several years, Hayley was selected as the Chief Operating Officer of Dog Star Rescue in 2024. During the day, Hayley works in Product Management for a global technology company. When she’s not answering emails and participating in meetings or events, she enjoys spending time with her 4 Dog Star Alum – Sam, Maverick, Tremont & Lucy. You might find them on hiking trails off the beaten path around Connecticut!
Nichole Fortenbaugh
Executive Director
A Buffalo, NY native, Nichole joined Dog Star Rescue in 2024 when her family relocated to Connecticut after living out west for the past 18 years. She lives in Avon with her husband, two children, their rescue dogs, Jim and their very own Dog Star ‘foster fail’, Molly. Since childhood, Nichole has volunteered with multiple shelters, rescues and sanctuaries across the country for both wild and domestic animals. She is dedicated to devoting her time to animals in need in honor of her first two rescues who are no longer with her: Bruno & The Dude.
Wendy Dobrindt
Executive Director
Wendy Dobrindt is the adoption event, transport and headquarters leader for Dog Star Rescue, after having led fundraising for 5 years. She has recently taken on the role of lead for Dog Star Veteran’s Program and attends many veteran events. She started her work with Dog Star in March 2016 and you will see her at most events. She works as a Finance Director in the Insurance Industry. She has a very spoiled cocker spaniel, Maddie and treasured her beloved alum Roddy who went to doggie heaven in 2025.
Christine Hanko
Intake Director
Christine has been actively involved in animal rescue since 2015, taking in dogs, horses and even donkeys! Joining DSR in 2023, first as a foster, then quickly became involved with many other aspects of the rescue including transport, medical and most recently Intake Leader. By day, Christine is a big math nerd, working as an actuary in the insurance industry but the minute the work day ends you’re guaranteed to find her outdoors, no matter what the New England weather brings! Christine shares her home with husband, Matt, and an ever increasing number of animals.
Michelle Brown
Communications Director
Michelle began volunteering for Dog Star Rescue in 2019 and oversees all communications efforts for our rescue. This includes social media marketing, email marketing, public relations and more. Michelle can also be found at adoption events doing Facebook Live, and helping out overall where needed. When not obsessing about dogs, Michelle heads up marketing and sales for a digital technology company. Michelle lives in West Hartford with her husband, has two grown kids and three very spoiled rescue dogs, Lucy, Izzy and her own Dog Star alum Sophie.
Matt Ominsky
IT Director
Matt has been a Dog Star volunteer since 2020 and oversees everything to do with technology at the rescue. This includes software and support for all areas of our rescue, as well as the plethora of other technical needs at events, our headquarters and more. On the professional front, Matt is a Lead Director of Digital Engineering at CVS Health. Matt resides in Middletown CT along with his wife (and fellow volunteer) Amanda and their two dogs (including alum Zeus). When not working or volunteering with Dog Star, Matt also volunteers at his alma mater teaching interview and resume writing skills to students, he loves riding motorcycles throughout the state, visiting as many local restaurants as possible, reading, fishing, and of course, playing fetch in the back yard.
Amanda Ominsky
Fundraising Director
Amanda leads the Fundraising team at Dog Star Rescue. In this role, she’s responsible for supporting all fundraising efforts for our 100% non-profit rescue. In her professional life, Amanda worked in the hospitality industry managing events, venues and outings and is now general manager for a homecare company. Amanda is married to fellow volunteer Matt, has two dogs (including alum Zeus) and loves to travel the world.
Cari Leach
Foster Director
A Buffalo, NY native, Nichole joined Dog Star Rescue in 2024 when her family relocated to Connecticut after living out west for the past 18 years. She lives in Avon with her husband, two children, their rescue dogs, Jim and their very own Dog Star ‘foster fail’, Molly. Since childhood, Nichole has volunteered with multiple shelters, rescues and sanctuaries across the country for both wild and domestic animals. She is dedicated to devoting her time to animals in need in honor of her first two rescues who are no longer with her: Bruno & The Dude.
Cass Anton
Kennel Director
Cass has been a Dog Star volunteer since 2023 and quickly made a huge impact. Cass leads our Kennel volunteer team, caring for the dogs who do not have a foster. As her paid job, Cass works as an occupational therapist with disabled and homeless veterans and she is also a professor at Bay Path University. In her free time she loves to ride motorcycles, lift weights, travel with her wife who is also a kennel volunteer, and she will never say no to a karaoke bar! She and her wife have two rescue dogs from the South and Puerto Rico, Remi and Scout, a DSR alum, as well as two cats Dean and Bandit.
Trina Reid
Adoptions Director
Trina joined Dog Star Rescue with her husband, Steven Hence in 2021. In 2024, Trina took on the role of leading the Adoptions team. Trina is also a foster for our rescue, and Steven has been helping in the kennel. Trina and Steven have their own rescue dog, Clark, who plays a big role in making the foster dogs comfortable and welcome in their new temporary home. When not volunteering with DSR, Trina works for an environmental remediation company where all their foster dogs are welcome, and Steven runs his landscape business. They also enjoy walking with their dogs on the Rails to Trails paths, spending time with their families and visiting the local dog-friendly eateries and breweries, usually with a foster dog in tow.
Cheryl Carberry
Medical Director
Cheryl joined Dog Star as a foster in August 2020 and has gained experience with the adoption team, the kennel team, the foster mentoring program, the medical team,the behavior team, and as a volunteer at adoption events. She became the Medical Coordinator in 2023 and joined the Board of Directors in 2024 overseeing both the medical and behavior teams. She’s a high school animal science teacher with 30+ years experience teaching animal health, behavior, and management courses. She recently completed a second master’s degree in animal science and behavior. Her dogs, including her fosters, often accompany her to school and enjoy daily walks and weekend adventures.
Mary Rodier (Officer)
Treasurer
Mary began volunteering with Dog Star in 2022 when she became the Treasurer. She is a dog lover through her daughters who are both dedicated Dog Star foster volunteers. Mary is a retired CPA with over 30 years of experience working with not for profit organizations like Dog Star. In her spare time Mary enjoys traveling with her family, walking outdoors, water color painting, and going to the beach when the weather is nice.
Laura Santirocco (Officer)
Secretary
Laura has been a Dog Star volunteer since 2018 and, since 2019, its corporate secretary; she also volunteers at various events. A Hartford-area resident for over 30 years and longtime dog lover/owner, she started volunteering after losing her last cocker spaniel, Edward. She is a retired corporate and mergers-and-acquisitions lawyer in The Hartford’s law department. When she’s not volunteering, she pursues a variety of interests including history, travel, bicycling, pilates, and outdoor activities. She also spoils her fur nephew Casper.
Zoe Arnold
Assistant Treasurer/Accounting Coordinator
Zoe started volunteering with DSR in March 2019. She is currently the Assistant Treasurer/Accounting Coordinator. As Accounting Coordinator, Zoe assists in the monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial aspects of Non-Profit accounting. She brings expertise in bookkeeping and Quickbooks. Zoe started volunteering at a difficult time in her life, when a friend suggested volunteering for something she believed in. Of course, she thought of dog rescue! She began volunteering as a dog transporter and handler at adoption events, and quickly fell in love with volunteering for DSR! Not only did she find an indescribable passion for dog rescue, but also found out that in rescuing dogs, they rescue you in a very real way too. Zoe has two beautiful pups of her own, adding her first rescue pup to her pack in 2019. Outside of DSR, Zoe works as a Pet Insurance Claims Processor. Clearly, dogs are Zoe’s whole life, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Our Coordinators
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