VDART

Helping Animals In Disasters

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CVDART Team

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CVDART NEWS

Since March of 2020, CVDART has distributed more than $40,000 worth of dog and cat food in Central Vermont and the North East Kingdom.
 
Over the last three years, four CVDART board members have deployed for the Humane Society of the United States to care for animals in a variety of operations. 
 
In February 2020, Board Chair, Lisa Lemieux went to Puerto Rico, to volunteer with Helping Paws Across Boarders.  Lisa helped HPAB to spay/neuter over 800 animals during this round.  HPAB hopes to return to the Puerto Rico operation in the fall of 2021.
 

Upcoming Events

Monthly Meetings:
If you are interested in attending, please email:
cvdart2017@gmail.com
or call 802.505.7677

  • Dec 13, TBD
  • Jan 9, TBD
  • Feb 13, TBD
  • March 13, TBD
  • April 10, TBD

Chartered in 2017, CVDART is a chapter of the Vermont Disaster Animal Response Team which was established to strengthen and support the state’s capacity to respond to animal needs in the event of a disaster.  

We provide vital resources and advice to pet owners, animal-related businesses and non-profits, local communities, and state agencies in this area.

Our goal is to provide uniformity and excellence in response to animal needs by training and exercising our volunteers in best practices and providing local emergency managers with guidance on including the community’s pet population in local response plans.

Our Amazing Sponsors

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CVDART Board

The CVDART board provides guidance and leadership for the rest of the volunteers.

Lisa Lemieux, Chair/President

After a 36 year career in education, Lisa chose to spend her time in retirement volunteering. Currently, she volunteers with the American Red Cross, deploying to disasters as a Disaster Mental Health worker and leading the Central VT Disaster Action Team.  She also finds great satisfaction being on the Board of Directors for Central VT Habitat for Humanity and building affordable houses for those that need a hand up, not a hand out.  Her love of animals is the driving force behind the rest of her volunteerism.  She volunteers at the Central VT Humane Society, is a member of the Humane Society of the United States Animal Rescue Team and travels to Puerto Rico with Helping Paws Across Boarders, a group that provides free spay/neuter services.   Lisa also currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for VDART.  Lisa lives in Barre Town with her wife, Jan and rescue pup Karma.

Sandy Meyerhofer, Vice President

Sandy retired two years ago from a long career in project management to spend time skiing, biking, traveling around the US in her RV and to Europe, and volunteering.  She is currently a volunteer and board member of the Central Vermont Humane Society and supports the HSUS Animal Response Team.  Her family includes a husband, Peter, and a very spoiled cat, Cleo.

Cathy Plas, Secretary

Cathy is a teacher in the Mad River Valley who has a lifelong love of animals.  She has volunteered at Central Vermont Humane Society since 2012 and as a member of HSUS Animal Rescue Team since 2016.  She lives in Duxbury with her husband and her puppy dog, Maya.

Angie Garand, Treasurer

Angie’s love of animals comes from growing up on a dairy farm. She loves being outdoors skiing or hiking as well.  She is now retired after many, many years of bookkeeping, and volunteers with Central VT Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society of United States, CVDART and supports Central VT Humane Society.  She lives in Williamstown with her husband, Jim and their fur babies, Chinook, Shadow & Mittens.

John Akielaszek

Retiring from the State of Vermont after 30+ years gave John even more time to spend in community service.  Previously a member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) for central Vermont, he joined CVDART at its inception.   He is also a dedicated member of the Montpelier Tree Board, promoting and caring for the urban tree canopy.   He enjoys traveling and camping with his wife Kim and their dog Star.

Kate Taylor

Kate Taylor is a woodworker by trade. She lives with her partner, a dog, two cats and a small flock of chickens. Kate enjoys teaching her dog useless tricks, hiking in new places, taking photos of water, and writing non fiction. She has always loved animals and CVDART gives her a chance to give back to the furred and feathered community.

Jamie Dutil

Jamie has dedicated her career to animal welfare and has worked with animals in a professional capacity for over a decade. She carries a wide diversity of experience in the animal welfare field, including private practice veterinary clinics, high-quality/high-volume spay/neuter clinics, and animal shelters. She also spent a few years in deep South Texas, fundraising and working to implement life-saving programs in a severely under-served city with an overwhelming pet overpopulation crisis. She currently serves as the Medical Care Manager at North Country Animal League in Morrisville, VT.
 
Jamie lives in Woodbury with her husband on their small hobby farm of chickens and goats. Their family also includes four dogs, four cats, fish tanks, and a few reptiles. Aside from advocating for animal rescue and always striving to learn about new advances in veterinary medicine, Jamie enjoys horseback riding, kayaking, gardening, snowshoeing, and hiking.

Mission

The Vermont Disaster Animal Response Team (VDART) was established in 2007 in order to strengthen and support the state’s capacity to respond to animal needs in the event of a disaster. We provide vital resources and advice to pet owners, animal-related businesses and non-profits, local communities, and state agencies in this area. Read More

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