Emily Amsler, who has been a practicing veterinarian for 10 years, completed her undergraduate and veterinary degrees at Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR. Finding that conventional medicine wasn’t effective enough for some of her patients, she took the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society course to explore Eastern medicine as a way of complementing and improving her practice. The cases that most interest her, she admits, are emergency cases, dentistry and chronic pain control.

Dr. Maher attended UC Davis for her undergraduate degree and veterinary school, earning her Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology in 2012 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. An Elite Fear-Free Certified professional, a FelineVMA Cat-Friendly veterinarian and a Certified Veterinary acupuncturist, she attended Chi University for both acupuncture and Tui-Na training, and started Tranquil Tabby Mobile Cat Vet in August of 2023.

As a companion animal veterinarian, Dr. Anna Reading has been practicing in the area for 10 years. She moved here after practicing for two years in Phoenix, AZ, after graduating from Cornell University.

“I opened Horizon Veterinary Care in January of 2023,” Anna explains. “I saw the need for more independent veterinary practices in the area, focused on long-term relationships with our patients and their families. We are a small, two-doctor veterinary practice in East Vancouver, in the same complex as Sushi Ninja and Petra House. I work with my best friend and colleague, Dr. Malia Haddock.

Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and a Vet Assistant Certificate, Jaimie started volunteering as a shift worker two days a week with Furry Friends in 2019 when she was looking for a volunteer opportunity to help cats in the community.  

“I got involved with Furry Friends because I’ve always loved cats and believe strongly in volunteering within the community,” Jaimie says. “Furry Friends was a great opportunity for me to combine both passions. Currently the President of the Board of Furry Friends, I’m responsible for strategic planning, business operations and the overall sustainability of the rescue. My favorite part, though, is helping with the medical care of the cats and spending time with them.”

Although Karen earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Art, specializing in Graphic Design from Portland State University in 1998, she had worked in graphic design and web development since 1997. She joined Formations Design Group that year as an intern, became co-owner in 2006 when one of the original partners retired, and then became sole owner when her business partner, who now contracts for her, semi-retired in 2021.

After graduating from Portland State University with a degree in Accounting and Economics, Jason worked for several accounting firms before starting his own firm, Jason P. Smith, CPA, PS in 2003.

For the last 21 years, the company has provided a wide range of professional services to individuals and businesses in a variety of industries. Included in those services are: Tax Services, Assurance and Advisory Services, Bookkeeping/Write-up, QuickBooks, Accounting Help and Assistance, Cash Flow and Budgeting Analysis, Debt and Finance Advising, Accounting Services, IRS Representation, Entity Selection and Restructuring, Payroll Services, Mergers, Acquisitions, and Sales.

“After high school, I joined the US Army where I worked on big-rig trucks and drove a wrecker for my unit, following our trucks around the US and overseas,” Chris explains. “I served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1990-1991, and when I left the Army, I attended Portland Community College and Portland State University to become a software engineer. Between 1997 and 2003, I worked on various teams within Symantec Corporation (they design the Norton Antivirus line of software).

Known to those in the know as Bee Sam, Samantha Borenheim is a Master Hair Colorist and owner of Bee Sam Beauty Hair Salon whose highly anticipated doors opened in 2014 in downtown Vancouver, WA. A certified salon professional with a degree in Cosmetology, she also has teaching credentials, allowing her to teach hair, nails, technology and esthetics at Phagans School of Hair Design. Additionally, she’s Olaplex Certified, Malibu Certified and K18 Certified.

A licensed realtor since 2003, Julie Baldino started her own business, Front Door Realty, in 2011. Front Door Realty is unique in that it’s a Certified Woman Owned Business.

“Although female realtors outnumber male realtors, there were and still are very few women who own the brokerages,” Julie explains. “Our agents work in SW Washington and the Portland Metro areas. We specialize in residential listings, are loud and proud allies of the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities and are passionate about helping people build wealth in real estate. Handing keys to someone who’s the first in their lineage to own a home is such an honor!”

Originally a remodeler in Los Angeles and San Diego, CA, Glen bought some old warehouses which ultimately led him to open a storage business in Vancouver, WA in 1987. He now has 10 storage facilities and three warehouses: two in Oregon and one in Washington.

In 2008, Glen was building a new facility in Vancouver and Furry Friends was located in a cramped little warehouse next door. “I approached Furry Friends founder Nancy McMartin,” he says, “to tell her about my plans. Not only did I see 10 or more cats and a cluster of cages, I also saw that the roof was leaking. It was such a sad sight. They were clearly struggling and I felt obligated to help out.”

We would like to thank Dr. Marci Koski of Feline Behavior Solutions for wearing several proverbial hats when it comes to helping and supporting Furry Friends.

Boasting a highly impressive scholastic and professional background, Marci Leah Koski received a BS in Biology/Ecology, an MS in Ecology, and a PhD in Fishery and Wildlife Biology. After completing her education, she worked for 10 years with the US Fish and Wildlife Service as an endangered species biologist in their recovery program, supervising a team of biologists. But she eventually sought out a greater challenge, one where she could witness the results of her work more quickly. She received two Feline Training and Behavior certificates through the Animal Behavior Institute, then started her own cat behavior consulting business, Feline Behavior Solutions, in October of 2014 so that, as Marci says, “I could help kitties live their best lives.”

We at Furry Friends consider Dr. Huang to be one of life’s true treasures. Not only has she and her business partners Dr. Richard Green and Dr Namkung of Salmon Creek Plastic Surgery donated countless items valued at thousands of dollars to our annual auction, but she has also provided us with invaluable guidance and support throughout the years.