The perfect team —
Nicole DiPaolo — President & Founder
In July 2014, Nicole visited Puerto Rico for the first time. Her husband grew up in Arroyo and upon reaching his hometown Nicole was in tears. With the help of another organization, she rescued 3 satos from Playa Chiropolis. She began fostering and advocating as much as she could. In August 2015, Paws4Survival Rescue Inc. was born.
In addition to dedicating her time to Puerto Rico rescue, Nicole is employed with Verizon as a Project Manager and a certified Wildlife Rehabilitator in the State of Massachusetts.
Meryl Alexander - Vice President / Foster & Adoption Coordinator
Meryl & Nicole founded Paws4Survival in 2015. Meryl is our lead foster and adoption coordinator, often called the best “matchmaker” in the rescue biz :) Meryl lives in New York with her husband and their dog, Bailey.
Kristen Kiraly Aaron - Adoptions & Media Volunteer
Kristen is a longtime dog lover and documentary filmmaker, and has been able to combine these two passions with Paws4Survival. Kristen’s first documentary looked at PTSD in military working dogs, and her most recent two films followed the rescue efforts of the Paws4Survival team in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
Kristen is part of the Paws4Survival adoption team and has two rescues of her own (including Ellie, a P4S foster failure)
Sammy Rodriguez — Transport Volunteer for Puerto Rico
Sammy has been volunteering for Paws4Survival for five+ years, and he is a tremendous asset to our team. Many of you may remember Brownie, now Sammy, (named after his foster dad!), who are pictured at the left. Sammy rescued this sweet boy and fostered and loved him while Brownie was going through our vetting protocols. Sammy has fostered several others for us as well. Sammy is the proud dad of 3 Satos and 2 two legged children... Samuel, Rosybel, Pongo, Golda and Choko
Beth Beard - Adoptions Volunteer
Beth has been volunteering with Paws4Survival in various capacities — including many trips down to Puerto Rico — since the very beginning! Beth lives in Massachusetts with her husband and their six dogs :) She works full-time for the State of Mass.
Meghan Chase - Adoptions Volunteer
Meghan and her husband adopted their first sato, Rico, from Paws4Survival in 2015. A little over a month later they adopted their second dog, a puppy named Roscoe. Soon after she started volunteering through fostering dogs, fundraising and helping with adoptions.
Meghan works as a nurse practitioner and lives in Massachusetts with her husband, dogs, and daughters.
OUR VETERINARY SUPPORT
Zaly - Puerto Rico Vet Tech (Baldwin Animal Hospital)
Dr. Martin - Massachusetts Shelter Vet
Dr. Lussier - Massachusetts Foster Vet (Braintree Vet Care)