Our Board of Directors
John Rice - Director
John was raised in southern Ontario and graduated from the University of Western Ontario. After living in Ottawa and Edmonton, he moved to Brandon with his family in 1972. John was rescued from a life of aimless teaching and research at Brandon University by His wife Barbara and daughter Shahna, the rescue's founder, who allowed him to live among their large collection of fostered and adopted cats, dogs and horses. Ultimately, John bonded very strongly with the world's greatest dog, Ricki who chose him to care for her after Shahna's death in 2008. Barb and John Rice continue be involved in FFFF and are still generous with their wise guidance. Barb and John live in Brandon.
D'Arcy Barker - Director/Chief Financial Officer
D’Arcy Barker is a founding member of the Board of Directors of Funds for Furry Friends and was a friend of our founder Shahna Rice. D'Arcy is a proud and valued foster home, often for the dogs who are a bit more difficult to place, and he has served as the Chief Financial Officer since the inception of the corporation when Shahna Rice was the founding President. D'Arcy always makes himself available in many other areas when needed, often on short notice.
D’Arcy is a Chartered Financial Planner and Registered Employee Benefits Consultant and brokers for Canada’s leading insurance and investment institutions. D’Arcy lives in Brandon.
D’Arcy is a Chartered Financial Planner and Registered Employee Benefits Consultant and brokers for Canada’s leading insurance and investment institutions. D’Arcy lives in Brandon.
Theresa vanHoof - Director/Adoption Coordinator
Theresa’s involvement with Funds For Furry Friends goes back to the very early years of FFFF and she has been very active in the rescue through volunteering, fostering and serving on the
Board of Directors.
When Theresa moved to Brandon, she befriended FFFF founder, Shahna Rice.
Shahna became a great friend and mentor in rescue. Shahna had a dog that needed a foster home and Theresa’s FFFF foster career soon began! Theresa especially enjoyed fostering expectant mother dogs and moms with litters of puppies whenever possible. With the support and help of her husband Dave and daughter Claire, Theresa welcomed many wonderful foster dogs into their home including Penelope Beagle, their ONLY “foster failure”. They decided to officially adopt Penelope in 2005 and she enjoyed life until the age of 17. Theresa has since relocated to Ottawa but remains involved in the rescue as a Board Member and Adoption Coordinator.
Board of Directors.
When Theresa moved to Brandon, she befriended FFFF founder, Shahna Rice.
Shahna became a great friend and mentor in rescue. Shahna had a dog that needed a foster home and Theresa’s FFFF foster career soon began! Theresa especially enjoyed fostering expectant mother dogs and moms with litters of puppies whenever possible. With the support and help of her husband Dave and daughter Claire, Theresa welcomed many wonderful foster dogs into their home including Penelope Beagle, their ONLY “foster failure”. They decided to officially adopt Penelope in 2005 and she enjoyed life until the age of 17. Theresa has since relocated to Ottawa but remains involved in the rescue as a Board Member and Adoption Coordinator.
Dana Holden - Director/Intake and Foster Coordinator
Dana has been part of FFFF since 2003, when she first offered to foster a pound dog after seeing Shahna’s call for help. That single moment sparked a lifelong commitment to rescue and she hasn’t looked back since. Shahna’s dedication and passion have remained a constant source of inspiration in Dana’s journey so in 2024, Dana proudly stepped into a new role by joining the FFFF Board of Directors.
At home, Dana shares a chaotic (and often furry) household with her husband, their two sons, two dogs, and whatever foster dogs are in need of a safe place to land. A nurse by profession, Dana has a special place in her heart for medical fosters and those needing a little extra TLC.
As FFFF’s Dog Intake and Foster Coordinator, Dana plays a vital role in bringing dogs into care and ensuring they are matched with the right foster homes to begin their next chapter.
At home, Dana shares a chaotic (and often furry) household with her husband, their two sons, two dogs, and whatever foster dogs are in need of a safe place to land. A nurse by profession, Dana has a special place in her heart for medical fosters and those needing a little extra TLC.
As FFFF’s Dog Intake and Foster Coordinator, Dana plays a vital role in bringing dogs into care and ensuring they are matched with the right foster homes to begin their next chapter.
Erika Shelvey - Event/Fundraising Coordinator and Social Media Creator
Erika's involvement in Funds for Furry Friends began in January 2021 as a valued foster home, but she quickly evolved into an invaluable addition to the rescue. Erika is lending her organizational skills to multiple areas of the rescue, including Event and Fundraising Coordinator and Social Media Creator.
Erika balances her dedication to rescue work with a busy life at home. She is always willing to help in a crisis so Erika and her husband, four children and their own dogs often find themselves with multiple puppy fosters.
Thanks to Erika, FFFF has some great new events and has built some wonderful new relationships with community partners. Erika has put the word "fun" into Fundraiser with our some of our newest fundraisers such as 50/50 draws and FFFF Merchandise. Erika and her family live in Sprucewoods.
Erika balances her dedication to rescue work with a busy life at home. She is always willing to help in a crisis so Erika and her husband, four children and their own dogs often find themselves with multiple puppy fosters.
Thanks to Erika, FFFF has some great new events and has built some wonderful new relationships with community partners. Erika has put the word "fun" into Fundraiser with our some of our newest fundraisers such as 50/50 draws and FFFF Merchandise. Erika and her family live in Sprucewoods.
