Meet the board:
Lisa Caranza-Habib
Lisa, originally a Connecticut Yankee, moved to Jackson in 1989 to ski, bike, hike, and enjoy the Mountain lifestyle. In 1993, she opened up an architectural firm in town, but was still renting and was not allowed to have pets. Soon she was able to buy a home and within three months of moving in, she brought home Zaque, her second Portuguese Water Dog (PWD) and the love of her life. Zaque was taken by cancer, but soon she and her husband Rich, added two new pooches to their home; Beauregard a pound puppy, and Pilot, another PWD. Lisa and Rich have a deep love for dogs and all creatures, which drove Lisa to join PAWS. She looks forward to contributing to the continued growth and success of our organization.
Sandy Cousins
Sandy, originally from Maryland, moved to Jackson in 1998 and is currently owner of Solos Skincare in part with Frost Salon. While attending the University of Colorado, the inspiration to help homeless animals began by giving out dog food to their homeless owners in the town parks. First interacting with PAWS as a volunteer with Sean's Club, then becoming Director alongside of Karen Romaine, and now as a Board Member, her goals continue to help minimize the number of homeless animals through the local Spay & Neuter Program, the Jackson/Teton County Animal Shelter and the future eradication of puppy mills. Growing up with a Siberian Husky, Goldens and Labs, she and her husband Brian plan on having many dogs in their future. With Owen (Chocolate Lab), their beloved Oscar (Bostonese) and a new rescue Ozzy (Bug) on the way, their family is now more complete.
Danièle Dubois
Danièle Dubois attended the University of Denver. While obtaining a degree in Digital Media Design, she balanced her time to work at an animal adoption center where she helped several hundred dogs and cats find loving homes. After graduating from college, Danièle moved to Jackson, Wyoming in pursuit of a job that would fill her love for design, as well as her affection for animals. Danièle now works at Pridigicom where she can continue her passion for computer design, with the company of her best friend and adorable German Shepherd, Loki, by her side at the office! Since her love for animals is so strong, it was only natural for her to join PAWS and to contribute wholeheartedly. Danièle believes the programs in which PAWS offers to the community is vital, for man’s best friend needs all the love and support they can get.
Michael Faraday
Mike, a former “flatlander,” was born and raised in NYC and spent 20 years in the aviation industry as a Pilot and VP of Flight Operations and Client Services. He met his wife Sandy who had bred and shown Rottweilers while country dancing in Florida. Eventually, the two decided to move out west and are fortunate to live here full time, in their retirement with their two Clumber Spaniels, Vinny & Junior. Mike is a founding member of the PAWS RDOG group and spends time volunteering for numerous organizations in the valley. He is looking forward to helping PAWS continue to be a force for good and good dogs in Jackson Hole.
Larry Hamilton
Larry Hamilton completed his BA and MA at California State University, San Francisco in speech communication and also earned a Ph.D. from the University of Denver in organizational communication. Larry began his Bureau of Land Management career in 1973 at the Denver Service Center as an organization communication specialist. He had a long and successful career until his retirement in 2006 - when he left his post as the National Director of Fire and Aviation in Boise, ID.
Since retiring in 2006, Larry has been appointed as a Teton County Planning Commissioner in Jackson, WY, elected as the Chairman of the Teton County Democratic Party and started a consulting business for natural resource management. In his spare time he and his wife, Kniffy, enjoy hiking, skiing, scuba diving, boating and entertaining their four grand-daughters. Their beloved dog Chennonceau is a frequent model for the PAWS Calendar and she has been known to strut her stuff at the Furry Fashion Show on occasion.
Betsy Hesser, Psy. D.
Betsy transplanted to Jackson four years after a 30 - year stint in Philadelphia and an 18-year stint in Michigan. She is a clinical psychologist and enjoys kayaking, river rafting, hiking, birding, reading, and writing. Betsy and her husband Jim have two grown children and three dogs in varying sizes: Extra Large: two Great Pyrenees - Smudge & Survivor, Pee Wee: Maltese – Zoey. Betsy joined the PAWS Board because she feels it is a fun group of people who share a common great cause.
Christie Laughery, DVM, Vice President
Christie a veterinarian who grew up in North Carolina, moved to Jackson in 2004 from Seattle to be closer to her family. She worked for Spring Creek Animal Hospital as their House Call Vet, and then opened her own business in December 2005. Her business Home Health For Pets, focuses on small animal vet care and will come to your home. With two dogs and a bird named Bob, Christie joined PAWS because of her love of animals and her desire to support the community in ways that improve our relationships with our pets. Check out Christie's Blog on planetjh.com where she hosts a forum to discuss pet related issues.
Diane Peterson, President
Diane Peterson has been a Jackson resident for over 13 years. She and her husband, Cary, are the proud parents of two four-legged children – Saxon the lab and Olive the pug, who are loving sisters and rambunctious rivals. When not out walking the bike path with the "kids," Diane spends her days marketing and selling Mulligan Stew Pet Food, a naturally healthful pet food for dogs and cats. Diane has been actively involved with PAWS for over three years and is a founding member of the PAWS RDOG group.
Kathleen Roe
Kathleen, who has just recently earned her lifetime pass at The Jackson Hole Mountain resort for 20 years of full time service, joined PAWS because she attended an RDOG meeting and felt PAWS was making great headway in promoting responsible dog ownership. Kathleen and her husband live in Game Creek with their eight-year old Lab, Gordie, and would love to see Jackson stay dog-friendly.
Karen Romaine
Karen, her husband Hank, 13 dogs and 2 cats arrived in Jackson from New York 7 years ago. After leaving New York City, they moved to upstate New York where they owned and operated a kennel which focused on training bomb and protection dogs, dogs for handicapped individuals and basic training for both dogs and their owners. Due to Karen’s lifetime love of animals, she immediately started volunteering for PAWS and the Jackson/Teton County Animal Shelter. She then found her dream job of becoming an animal advocate by accepting the position as PAWS’ Executive Director. Karen is thrilled to continue her support of PAWS by joining the PAWS’ Board to continue helping educate the fabulous, animal loving Jackson Community as to what it means to be a responsible pet owner.
Amy Vignaroli
Amy, originally from Michigan, moved to Jackson in 1996 and worked as an architect for 6 years. Being a dog lover, she realized that there was an untapped market here for natural pet supplies, so in June of 2002 she opened Teton Tails on Pearl Street. Focusing on holistic pet food and unique apparel and wares, Teton Tails has become the premier pet store in the valley. She and her husband, Bob have three dogs, a Lab named Hatch, a pug named Pete and a Siberian Husky, Keela they adopted from the Teton County Animal Shelter. She joined PAWS to help contribute to all the good work we do in Teton County.
Meet our Executive Director:
Amy Romaine
Amy Romaine, PAWS’ Executive Director, spent 13 years in Boston working as a Marketing executive in the financial services industry. Amy’s corporate experience includes work at Fidelity Investments, IXIS Asset Management and Fleet Financial Group. She has lived in Jackson for over 4 years now and is the proud mom of Riley, a Flat-Coated Retriever mix, and Derby, a Schnauzer-Collie. Both dogs were adopted locally with her husband, Chris. Amy looks forward to continuing PAWS’ educational curriculum and collaborating with various community organizations to advocate for animals in our area.
Meet our Associate Director:
Rose Caiazzo
In 2007, Rose traded the fast-paced world of New York for a life of outdoor adventures in the wild west of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. With a Master’s in Technological Systems Management and 10+ years of experience in the technology and product marketing fields, she decided to change up her everyday and do something different! Dedicating part of her week to PAWS and the rest to her consulting business (while also mountain bike guiding in the summer months), she enjoys life to the fullest. Although Rose can’t have pets in her home space, she enjoys walking dogs with Amy at the shelter, running up and down the buttes of town with her neighbor’s Greyhound mix and always gets a lap full of feline lovin’ when watching movies at a friend’s house. She is passionate about PAWS and loves supporting our fabulous furry friends of Teton County, Wyoming!
