Leadership

Christy Stevens and her family founded Hearts Alive Village in 2013 because of an intense need to help save dogs and cats that were losing their lives in an overcrowded shelter system. They have built a dedicated team (their village) to help prevent dog and cat shelter intake by providing several services, including: providing a safe place to heal for pets; a pet food bank; easier access to low cost spay/neuter and other medical related services; rehoming services; a resale shop; and adoption services, with a passion for senior pet placement, at two centrally-located facilities.

Las Vegas has a population of 650,000, with a poverty rate of approximately 14 percent, and an increasing homeless population which is also at 14 percent and climbing fast (2017 U.S. Census Report). Many people live on fixed incomes. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are an estimated 91,250 dogs and 76,000 cats that reside in Las Vegas, Nevada. All reasons again for Christy to want to start Hearts Alive Village.

Christy and her team (including her family) fight daily to ensure pets are given a second chance at life! At any given time, Hearts Alive Village will have as many as 100 cats and 50 dogs in our care and on a treatment plan. During certain times of year, such as when cats are reproducing at a higher volume (kitten season) this number can more than triple.

Kelly has been an animal lover since the day she was born, and having been born with a disability became a good thing because that meant she could always have a service dog by her side. Having a service dog was just the beginning, as over the past decade this amazing supporter starting volunteering as a dog walker from Hearts Alive Village. Kelly was now able to walk the most difficult dogs and since she uses her wheelchair, wear them out.

Kelly’s chair weighs over 350 pounds with a battery that lasts all day. She has helped countless dogs learn to have better manners on a leash, and provides much needed exercise and enrichment these dogs so desperately need for better mental health, all while they wait for a loving new home all their own.

Kelly’s service dogs have always been a part of her mission to help homeless animals. For years, Pele, her Golden Retriever, with his sweet nature, has helped frightened shelter dogs feel at ease. Her current service dog, Wonka, greets people and animals every day at our adoption center. His big, bouncy play bow helps dogs who’ve gone through a rough time remember how to have fun, and just be dogs again. Also joining her family was PeeWee, a deaf pit bull mix who became an ambassador for her breed and now proudly helps serve others as a therapy dog.

Kelly’s dream of rescuing animals became a reality when she and Christy Stevens became friends after volunteering at the same shelter, and eventually founded Hearts Alive Village. Kelly now manages the daily operations of a busy adoption center and pet supply store. Her positive attitude is contagious, and the way she lives her life inspires everyone around her and brings out the best in all of us.

A native of Orange County, California, Stephanie Woody found her home in Las Vegas and her heart in helping homeless animals. She began her rescue journey in 2009 with P.A.W.S (Providing Animals with Support) before joining Hearts Alive Village at its inception. Since she’s been at the village, Stephanie has built the kitten program, coordinating fosters, hosting kitten adoption events, and serving as the Feline Solutions Director. In addition to her kitten duties, Stephanie is now helping to run Oldies But Goodies, ensuring that the senior pets are happy and comfortable, and the second-hand boutique merchandise is ready to entice window shoppers.

When she’s not caring for the animals at HAVLV, Stephanie can be found loving on her own troop of fur kids. She’s got dogs and a cat that thinks he’s a dog. In times of tragedy, Stephanie and her therapy dog, pit bull Pongo, are providing comfort and love to the people affected.

Sheryl Green is a New York native living and thawing in Las Vegas with her fur baby, Akasha, since 2008. When a devastating divorce shook her world, she found solace in animal rescue. In 2015, she hosted an event to honor Pele, a very special service dog, and found her true passion. Paw it Forward raised $5,000 for the newly formed Hearts Alive Village and Sheryl was asked to join the rescue. She now serves as the Director of Communications and Cuddling for the organization. When she’s not rescuing, Sheryl is a professional speaker and content writer, working with businesses to improve their sales and communication through the power of story. She’s the co-founder and President of The Cause Marketing Chamber of Commerce, an organization designed to connect businesses with non-profits for the benefit of both.

She is the author of Surviving to Thriving: How to Overcome Setbacks and Rock Your Life, Book Writing for Busy People, Once Upon a Bottom Line™: Harnessing the Power of Storytelling in Sales, and Do Good to Do Better: The Small Business Guide to Growing Your Business by Helping Nonprofits. Learn more at www.sherylgreenspeaks.com.

Five years ago, Cliff adopted Darcy from Hearts Alive Village. The experience prompted him to volunteer and make a difference! Now, his greatest joy (besides loving on his own fur kids) is connecting the right animals with the right forever families. He has since added Dexter to his family. Dexter is Cliff’s sidekick and goes everywhere with him… even to work at the adoption center!

Throughout his life, Cliff has worked in numerous industries from automotive and sporting goods, restaurants and convenience stores, before turning his attention to animal rescue. His past retail experience has come in handy as he now manages inventory, coordinates volunteer tasks, and is an adoption ambassador. Cliff has worked at the Hearts Alive Village Adoption Center and Pet Supply Store since January 2017.,

Professionally a front end web developer, Brittany has realized her dream of being a crazy cat lady. Always loving animals, Brittany came to Hearts Alive Village on a whim one day to volunteer, at the time unable to have pets. Now she has a two year old kitty, Mana, who loves helping take care of her feline fosters and playing fetch at midnight. Brittany helps run our foster program and serves as an ambassador for other fosters.

Christy Stevens

Kelly McMahon

Stephanie Woody

Sheryl Green

Cliff Burkhart

Brittany Rutledge