Keep your pets cool in the Summer Heat
Board of Directors
Laurie Palazzolo- President
Laurie Palazzolo- President
Laurie Palazzolo- President
Hello, I’m Laurie Palazzolo. I have been a Certified Veterinary Technician since 1993. If I’m not out in the great outdoors, or with animals, I’m not truly happy! I have been a Surgical Technician in the P.A.W.S. Clinic since 2010. When I’m not working, I volunteer my time to HSWM as a Board Member, Medical Foster and “Spot” the Parade Dog. If I’m not helping rescue animals, I am out rescuing people on the Navajo County Search and Rescue, Inc. Team.
Thank goodness I have a great family that understands my crazy life and supports me! I think if I were a dog, I would be a Border Collie; high spirited, high energy, and always needing something to do.
Sarah Fox-Secretary
Laurie Palazzolo- President
Laurie Palazzolo- President
I live in Lakeside with my partner Traci. I’ve had two full-time careers in my life – I am a retired Sgt. from Tempe Police Dept. After, Traci and I started up a landscape construction business in the Valley. We ran that business for several years and retired to the White Mountains in 2011.
I got involved shortly after we moved here. I started as a volunteer and have done many “jobs” while at HSWM, to include, the Volunteer Coordinator; Critter Camp Director; Newsletter Editor; Board of Directors Secretary; and now I love working in the PAWS Clinic!
I used to tell new volunteers that HSWM gets into your soul and it sure does! I love HSWM and the people associated with it! I proudly proclaim to be a failed foster a few times over and now I live with 3 rescue dogs…2 came from HSWM. I hope to remain involved with HSWM for several years to come!
Jason Carter-Treasurer
Laurie Palazzolo- President
Mike Bosley- Vice President
Notwithstanding his extraordinarily busy work schedule, Mr. Carter finds time to serve as Treasurer and former Vice President of the Governing Board of Directors for the Humane Society of the White Mountains where he has also served on their Finance, Budget, and Building Committees. Being a private pilot, Mr. Carter has also volunteered his time and airplane to fly animals to rescues for the Humane Society to find their forever homes. Mr. Carter also served on the Advisory Council for Northland Pioneer College's Construction Technology Program. Lastly for recreation, Mr. Carter and Whiteriver Construction sponsor (and Jason has played on) Volleyball, Softball and Bowling Leagues and Teams for the City of Show Low and Town of Pinetop-Lakeside.
Mike Bosley- Vice President
Mike Bosley- Vice President
Mike Bosley- Vice President
Mike Bosley moved to the White Mountains along with his other half, Adria Acosta, from Kodiak Alaska, after many years as a commercial fisherman. Mike and Adria managed White Mountain Purified Water and Ice and grew it into The Pour Station, a coffee shop in Show Low. Mike and Adria have 3 fur babies, Saltery, Zacher, and Kiliuda (all named after locations on Kodiak Island). Mike and Adria recently welcomed a baby boy, Talon Antonio, to make their family complete. Mike has served on various Board of Directors around town and currently is the chairperson for Derby Down the Deuce. Mike can be seen helping out in the community doing various services such as a DJ, emcee, auctioneering, or hosting a show on the local TV station. Mike Bosley joined the Board of Directors in 2018.
David Becker-Board Member
Mike Bosley- Vice President
David Becker-Board Member
John Wetch-Board Member
Mike Bosley- Vice President
David Becker-Board Member
Malaina Spillman- Board Member
Malaina Spillman- Board Member
Malaina Spillman- Board Member
Malaina (Crozier) Spillman grew up in Pinetop-Lakeside and has a long family history in Pinetop-Lakeside. After graduating from Blue Ridge High School, Malaina attend Northern Arizona University and received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with an Emphasis in Health & Gerontology. After graduation Malaina returned to Pinetop-Lakeside, she and her husband have a son and daughter. Malaina works for the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside as the Recreation Coordinator. She has a tremendous love for all animals, especially Golden Retrievers. Malaina’s first dog as an adult was a Golden Retriever named Duke that she rescued from the Humane Society. Malaina and her family currently have 2 rescue dogs, German Short-hair named Ozzie, Terrier/Dachshund Mix named Beebe, a golden retriever named Daisy, 2 rescue miniature horses, Bella and Bolt, another horse Sissy, 2 Araucana chickens named Funky Chick and Hay-Hay and a fish named Delta.
Shelter Staff
Cassie Peterson- Receptionist/Alternative Placement
Cassie Peterson- Receptionist/Alternative Placement
Cassie Peterson- Receptionist/Alternative Placement
Hi there! I'm Cassie. I have worked here at the Humane Society for about a year and a half now and I absolutely love it. I work up front in the office doing many different tasks, and I also help clean in the back. My husband and I moved here from Las Vegas in April of 2018. In my spare time I love being with family and I also foster animals that come into the shelter. We currently have two foster fails at home. Paco is my love bug chihuahua and Ninja is our crazy cat. We also have 3 wonderful daughters that live in Oregon. We absolutely love it here in the White Mountains and are so happy to call this our new home.
Taylor Von Den Stemmen- Receptionist
Cassie Peterson- Receptionist/Alternative Placement
Cassie Peterson- Receptionist/Alternative Placement
Hi! Im Taylor. I have worked at the humane society for a couple months now, And it is by far my favorite job I have ever had the opportunity to have! When im not here in the front office, you can catch me being a crazy helicopter mom to a busy Bee toddler! And on my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors and riding horses.
Cally Grimes- Lead Kennel Tech
Cassie Peterson- Receptionist/Alternative Placement
Deborah Thompson CVT- Outreach Coordinator
Hi I'm Cally, I'm currently Lead Kennel Tech at the Humane Society of the White Mountains. I've been with the Humane Society just over 2 years now and was fortunate to be hired on shortly after I moved from Texas to Arizona. I love the work we do here so much! I am a mama to 3 boys...Two children, Isaiah and Archaos and two dogs, Bronson and Leo. I love to cook and go exploring the beautiful White Mountains with my family.
Deborah Thompson CVT- Outreach Coordinator
Deborah Thompson CVT- Outreach Coordinator
Deborah Thompson CVT- Outreach Coordinator
As a Veterinary Technician of 25 years, I’m always trying to help the animals in any way I can. We moved here from Wyoming in 2017. My husband Les of 40 years and grandson Riley, 3 Horses, 4 cats, and 2 dogs. My favorite thing’s to do is riding my horses, hiking, rock hunting and just being with my family. I have worked at the HSWM for 1 ½ years. I started on the medical staff which included working in the P.A.W.S Clinic where we do spay and neuter’s. In January 2019 I took on a new position for HSWM. So I am now the Outreach Coordinator and still help with the animals every day. I now have a great new family at Humane Society of the White Mountains
Taylor Falling-Kennel Tech
Deborah Thompson CVT- Outreach Coordinator
Taylor Falling-Kennel Tech
Aziah Munsee-Kennel Tech
Deborah Thompson CVT- Outreach Coordinator
Taylor Falling-Kennel Tech
My name is Aziah I am 22 years old. My favorite thing to do is play video games; on pretty much any console I happen to come across. I personally, have one dog named Willow and one cat named Maya. Maya and Willow were raised side by side. They totally adore each other.
Amber Stuart-Kennel Tech
Hailey Maxfield- Kennel Tech
Hailey Maxfield- Kennel Tech
My name is Amber Santillan and I have been working at the humane society for a little more than a year now. I absolutley love my job because it makes me feel important. When I'm not at the shelter caring for the dogs and cats I am volunteering my time doing TNR (trap neuter return), fostering cats, and having adventures with my two kids (6yr old son and 4yr old daughter) and my husband. I have 2 dogs, 1 cat (plus my foster kitten at the moment), and 1 Guinea pig. I love my family and I love the people I work with at the humane society to save lives and make a difference in this world.
Hailey Maxfield- Kennel Tech
Hailey Maxfield- Kennel Tech
Hailey Maxfield- Kennel Tech
John Wetch-Kennel Tech
Hailey Maxfield- Kennel Tech
Laura Wetch- Bookkeeper
Laura Wetch- Bookkeeper
Debbie Torbet-Shelter Manager
Laura Wetch- Bookkeeper
John and I moved to Lakeside in April 2018. Before we were even done unpacking, I was solicited to help with Happy Tails. I volunteered John to help as well, starting with the July 4th parade and then Happy Tails. We both fell in love with the HSWM family and everything they work hard to accomplish. I was hired as the part-time bookkeeper in January 2019 and it didn’t take long for me to realize this was THE – BEST – JOB – EVER! I love the people, the animals, the volunteers and everybody locally and around the state working for the same common goal – to help animals in need. One of the volunteers I worked with at a recent PACC911 adoption event in Phoenix said it best, “I’m surrounded by people who feel the same way about animals as I do. I feel like I’m home with these people”.
John and I have four dogs. At our peak a few years ago we had 5 dogs, 4 cats and a Beta fish. Talk about crazy!! As time has passed we have realized we simply can’t have as many animals as our hearts have love for - another reason HSWM is so perfect for us!
In my free time I love to ATV, camp, kayak, travel and work in my flower garden – anything outdoors and even better if we are doing it with some of the wonderful friends we have made here! We bought our first tiny toy hauler this year about a month before camping season ended so we look forward to doing a lot more camping in the beautiful White Mountains in the summers to come.
Debbie Torbet-Shelter Manager
Debbie Torbet-Shelter Manager
Debbie Torbet-Shelter Manager
I have worked at HSWM for 12 years and I have loved every minute of it. It can be very bittersweet at times but it is all worth it. In my free time I love spending time with my family, (I have a rambunctious 2 1/2 year old that keeps me on my toes) I love being outdoors and the beautiful White Mountains we live in. I have 2 dogs and 1 cat, 2 of which came from HSWM as Foster Failures, who also keep me on my toes.
DogHouse Staff
Jeremy Munsee- Warehouse Supervisor
Jeremy Munsee- Warehouse Supervisor
Jeremy Munsee- Warehouse Supervisor
My name is Jeremy Munsee. I am currently the Warehouse Supervisor at the Doghouse. I hope to help make all the doggies, and kitties, all the funds they need until they find their forever homes. I suppose my biggest achievement would be slowly but steadily keeping up through all the changes the Doghouse must go through to efficiently do its job and keep the customers coming.
Jeremy Munsee- Warehouse Supervisor
Jeremy Munsee- Warehouse Supervisor
Lynn Myers- Processor/Stocker
Jeremy Munsee- Warehouse Supervisor
Dustin Couture- Clerk/Warehouse
Dustin Couture- Clerk/Warehouse
Dustin Couture- Clerk/Warehouse
Dustin Couture- Clerk/Warehouse
I am a native of the White Mountains being born in Snowflake and lived in the area on and off most of my life. I am a veteran of the Air Force where I was stationed at Holloman AFB in New Mexico and trained to be an electrician. I worked as a traveling electrician after the service and had a successful career but I am much happier these days offering my time and services to the HSWM. It's truly a blessing having the opportunity to help both the people and the animals around me. When not at work with the HSWM I spend my free time helping care for my family's property, tending a bird garden and 6 cats, and raising my daughter. I can also frequently b e found on the golf course, which is my weekly meditation. Though I'm a fairly new face around the Doghouse I find the work very fulfilling and hope to be keeping smiling faces around me for a long time to come.
Les Thompson-Doghouse Manager
Dustin Couture- Clerk/Warehouse
Les Thompson-Doghouse Manager
I started at the Dog House Thrift Shop the end of May 2019 and it has been an wild ride with lots more to come, the place looks amazing. My wife, grandson and I moved to the White Mountains in late summer 2017 after 38 years in the oil business looking for a slower pace. We have 3 horses, 2 dogs, 5 cats (2 are self adopted yard cats, 1 is a foster failure, 1 is a rescue and the last cat just came)WE ARE HAPPY TO SUPPORT THE HSWM. My greatest accomplishment was surviving Iraq.In my future I see working, retiring and working some more
Director
Deena Pace
I was born in IA. The second of five girls. We lived in the country on farms most of my younger years, I loved helping my parents take care of the pigs and milk the cows along with the dogs and cats we had in the house. My mom was so gentle and loving with all animals so I guess I got that from her. After time my dad decided he no longer wanted to be a hired hand on farms and went back to over the road truck driving and then on to local hauls with his own truck. Dad had five girls and no boys so I was dad’s helper. I learned how to grease his semi and help change tires on it, along with other maintenance, I guess I did really well because he bought a tire shop that I worked in as a teenager. After I graduated from high school my family decided they were moving to AZ, I moved with them I wasn’t staying there on my own. Once here I started looking for a job, my first job was in Coolidge as a waitress at Tag’s restaurant. Shortly after that the local Napa store was hiring and I interviewed and got hired, I worked there for five years in Coolidge and Florence. I met my husband Roy in Florence in 1980 and we’ve been together since. We moved to Show Low in 1984 where I got hired at the Napa and worked another fifteen years. During this time I took college classes in accounting, business and computers. We have a daughter and a son along with a son-in-law and two grandsons. When we moved to Show Low we brought our pet goats, cow, chickens and ducks along with many dogs. I am lucky Roy shares my love of animals. We have had horses (which I grew up on). We now are down to two rescue dogs from our shelter and have had many animals that we have loved until it was there time to go to the rainbow bridge. I started working at the shelter May 2008 as the bookkeeper and after a few years was asked to be the director. When I’m not working I enjoy being outdoors, spending time with family, friends and our dogs. I love my job and the fact that we are making a difference in so many lives, we have come so far over the years.
