Our Board of Directors
John Rice - President (Top Dawg)
I was raised in southern Ontario and graduated from the University of Western Ontario. After living in Ottawa and Edmonton, I moved to Brandon with my family in 1972. I was rescued from a life of aimless teaching and research at Brandon University by my wife Barbara and daughter Shahna who allowed me to live among their large collection of fostered and adopted cats, dogs and horses. I was aggression tested for other animals and once found suitable I was allowed to do veterinarian runs for Furry Friends and to walk dogs so long as I didn't bite people. Ultimately, I bonded very strongly with the world's greatest dog, Ricki who chose me to care for her after Shahna's death. My wife and I continue to maintain the strong association of Funds For Furry Friends with the Brandon Humane Society and Tracy Munn, Shahna's great friend there.
D'Arcy Barker - Chief Financial Officer
D’Arcy Barker is a founding member of the Board of Directors of Funds for Furry Friends. He has served as the Chief Financial Officer since the inception of the Corporation when Shahna Rice was the founding President. D’Arcy is a Chartered Financial Planner and Registered Employee Benefits Consultant and brokers for Canada’s leading insurance and investment institutions. D’Arcy is a proud Foster Dad for Funds for Furry Friends and also a very proud Dad to his Alaskan Malamute, Beyonce!
Theresa VanHoof - Director
Theresa’s involvement with Funds For Furry Friends goes back to the 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. They bonded through their mutual love of animals and Shahna became a great friend and mentor. 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’s still enjoying life as an ambassador for rescue adoptions. Theresa and her husband have since moved to Ottawa but FFFF will always have a piece of Theresa's heart. She still remains involved with FFFF as a Board Member and proudly helps out from afar whenever possible.
When Theresa moved to Brandon, she befriended FFFF founder, Shahna Rice. They bonded through their mutual love of animals and Shahna became a great friend and mentor. 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’s still enjoying life as an ambassador for rescue adoptions. Theresa and her husband have since moved to Ottawa but FFFF will always have a piece of Theresa's heart. She still remains involved with FFFF as a Board Member and proudly helps out from afar whenever possible.
Jill Giesbrecht - Director
Jill has volunteered with animal rescue for over 10 years and began her journey with Funds for Furry Friends as a volunteer driver for vet runs. She has transported 100’s of dogs and cats, and cleaned up every bodily function imaginable from the back of her vehicle! After years of volunteering in nearly every area of the rescue, including handling dogs and cats, fundraisers, administrative, vet runs and more, Jill accepted the role of Vice President in 2011. She left the Board a short while later to focus on family, but was still heavily involved in Administration and other volunteer activities. With the big changes that happened to the Board at the end of 2016, Jill accepted the role of Director to help with the transition while upholding the values held dear by FFFF’s founder, Shahna Rice. Jill and her family have fostered over 35 dogs – from a 7 lb Maltese to a 100+ lb Newfie mix – and adopted Ringo, one of their fosters, in 2011.
Jackie Sage - Director
Profile to come soon!
Our Coordination and Management Team
Andrea Farquhar - ADMINISTRATOR AND RECORDS KEEPING AND SUPPLIES COORDINATOR
Andrea started fostering with Funds for Furry Friends in 2011. She has fostered 5 dogs, with3 of them being long term ones. Along with her role as a foster home, she has also helped with vet runs and many fundraisers. Andrea chose to volunteer with FFFF with a goal of helping out in my community. Andrea has a love of the larger breeds of dogs and with her own home, room to roam, free of other animals, Andrea's was the perfect fit for those hard to place dogs. Andrea is happy to have been asked to jump on board with the rescues advancement and focusing her work with the donation drop off location and donation pick up and delivery! Andrea recently got her dog Harley a 7 yr old box mix that she loves to bits!
Andrea started fostering with Funds for Furry Friends in 2011. She has fostered 5 dogs, with3 of them being long term ones. Along with her role as a foster home, she has also helped with vet runs and many fundraisers. Andrea chose to volunteer with FFFF with a goal of helping out in my community. Andrea has a love of the larger breeds of dogs and with her own home, room to roam, free of other animals, Andrea's was the perfect fit for those hard to place dogs. Andrea is happy to have been asked to jump on board with the rescues advancement and focusing her work with the donation drop off location and donation pick up and delivery! Andrea recently got her dog Harley a 7 yr old box mix that she loves to bits!
Mandy Wark-Brown VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHER
Mandy, of Mandy Wark Photography, adopted her dog, Marshall, in late 2011 from Funds for Furry Friends. She kindly offered to photograph our animals and a relationship was formed in 2012 and to date, Mandy has photographed over 200 dogs, puppies, cats and kittens, three calendars, as well as attending and shooting various events over the years! Her generous actions extend to other areas of the rescue and she and her family have helped out in so many ways, including fostering, fundraising and more!
Mandy, of Mandy Wark Photography, adopted her dog, Marshall, in late 2011 from Funds for Furry Friends. She kindly offered to photograph our animals and a relationship was formed in 2012 and to date, Mandy has photographed over 200 dogs, puppies, cats and kittens, three calendars, as well as attending and shooting various events over the years! Her generous actions extend to other areas of the rescue and she and her family have helped out in so many ways, including fostering, fundraising and more!
Lois Parr - DOG BEHAVIOURIST & RESEARCH
Lois was first introduced to Funds for Furry Friends when she adopted a very special 18 month old Cocker Spaniel with the rescue name, Wrangler, in December 2008. When Wrangler passed away from illness suddenly in October 2010, Lois wanted to give back to the rescue by way of fostering and has been fostering dogs of all sizes and ages ever since. Lois brings to Funds of Furry Friends a wealth of knowledge into dog behaviours and training!
Lois was first introduced to Funds for Furry Friends when she adopted a very special 18 month old Cocker Spaniel with the rescue name, Wrangler, in December 2008. When Wrangler passed away from illness suddenly in October 2010, Lois wanted to give back to the rescue by way of fostering and has been fostering dogs of all sizes and ages ever since. Lois brings to Funds of Furry Friends a wealth of knowledge into dog behaviours and training!
Crystal Jacques-Monroe - TEAM SUPPORT
Hello! I'm Crystal Jacques-Munro. I started volunteering with the rescue about 10 years ago doing vet runs. Over the years I have helped in many areas. I fostered both cats and dogs over the years. And have had 2 foster fails. Jordi, who was my 2nd foster dog and Parsley who was one of 8 kittens I fostered around the time Jordi came into my life. I have processed applications , made many phone calls, written thank you notes, helped plan for numerous fundraisers. I have been grateful for the opportunity to be apart of this amazing organization.
Hello! I'm Crystal Jacques-Munro. I started volunteering with the rescue about 10 years ago doing vet runs. Over the years I have helped in many areas. I fostered both cats and dogs over the years. And have had 2 foster fails. Jordi, who was my 2nd foster dog and Parsley who was one of 8 kittens I fostered around the time Jordi came into my life. I have processed applications , made many phone calls, written thank you notes, helped plan for numerous fundraisers. I have been grateful for the opportunity to be apart of this amazing organization.
