About Us
Pet Partners was founded by a group of co-workers and volunteers with years of animal shelter experience. Their desire was to put an end to the senseless euthanasia of perfectly adoptable companion animals. Overpopulation was seen as the problem and setting up a spay/neuter clinic was the answer. Since attaining non-profit status in December 2000, the clinic has performed over 13,000 surgeries.
The organization also seeks to promote responsible pet ownership through education and affordable basic wellness services. The clinic has had over 22,000 visits since opening.
We couldn't do this work without the help of our Volunteers!
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Sue Gurganious, CPA – our bookkeeper and treasurer who we lovingly call “the boss." Sue deals with all of the financial matters and keeps us in line by monitoring where EVERY penny goes. She is also a wealth of information since she has volunteered for non-profit animal welfare organizations since 1995 including Animal Advocates, Faxon Animal Rescue League, Habitat for Cats, and The Humane Coalition.
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Joyce Pinsonnault- our Vice President on the Board of Directors who is also on the board of Forever Paws. She not only knows EVERYONE in the greater Fall River area but knows how to get in touch with them when we need them. Joyce is one of the Battleship’s best storytellers and the best sshhhhr in the children’s section of the local library.
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Judy Collins, RN- Judy brings over 30 years of operating experience to help us out on Mondays. She has been indispensable in getting donated medical equipment and supplies from local hospitals. She also volunteers at the Soup Kitchen and has helped rescue many stray dogs from Aruba.
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Kathy Lizotte- Kathy is our very own “dog whisperer” and helps with many tasks including calming anxious surgery patients on Thursdays. She also helps out twice a week at Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center.
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Special project volunteers- Karen Lomas and family, Trish DeSouto and His Boy Elroy Band, The Bowman family, Jan Ferreira and the Charlton Hospital Gang, Bill Boardman, Paul Rodrigues, The Kardosz clan, and the spouses Bruce and Bob.
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Volunteer veterinarians- Kathy Reilly, Laura Leanza, Linda Rodgers
Meet our Staff
Receptionists:
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Paula Watts- Paula also grooms dogs on her days off.
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Corinne Bowman-
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Karen Whitener-
Office Manager:
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Elissa Schwartz- Elissa rides horses and teaches riding lessons on the weekends.
Surgery staff:
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Danny Bowman- veterinary technician
Some of the staff members' dogs, aka the "Clinic Dogs."
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Candace Pereira- veterinary assistant
Dr. Debbie Gehrke, DVM
A 1990 graduate of Purdue University. “Dr. Deb” has been working in the spay/ neuter field since 1996.
Our mascot- Lily the yellow lump on the floor. Lily the yellow Labrador Retriever is a shelter rescue. She was abandoned at Faxon Animal Rescue League in 1998 and has been Dr. Deb’s hiking companion ever since.