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Corinne Kaelin - Board Member
Corinne is a Swiss-American dual citizen and spent the first 35 years of her life in Switzerland. After graduating from the International College of Tourism in Zurich and several years of professional life in the private sector, she completed an education as a dog and horse trainer. In 2010 Corinne emigrated with her family to the USA, and after some years in NJ and NY they moved to California. She now lives in Folsom with her husband, Guido, their daughter, Siri, a dog, cat, and three chickens. During her time in NY, Corinne took care of neglected horses and adopted one special guy named Hugo (unfortunately he passed away of colic before the move to CA). Shortly after her immigration to the USA, she started her own online portal, www.dog-ibox.com, which specializes in scientifically based, positive reinforcement based animal training for professional dog and pet trainers. Animal welfare and animal rights have always been important to Corinne, and as a result the whole family has chosen a vegan lifestyle. With the beginning of her volunteer work at Blackberry Creek, she feels a long-held wish has been fulfilled. Corinne supports our mission of 100% and we are so incredibly grateful to have her on the board. |
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Diana Pope Hofer ~ Board Member
After 25 years in healthcare, Diana retired to devote her time to animal rescue. She and her husband, Glenn, moved to Auburn and opened their home to abused, disabled, and unwanted animals. But, Diana’s involvement in animal rescue actually started as a small child, saving tadpoles from mud holes and bottle feeding orphaned opossums. So it was no surprise when she announced, at a young age, that she was done eating animals! Diana is grateful to her mother, the daughter of a cattle rancher, who supported her decision, and allowed her to follow her heart and become the person she is today. Diana cherishes the time she spends with her grandson, Arlo, and also enjoys working on her newest passion, visual art. In 2011, she founded Ark Aid Imaging, using her love of photography to share a message of kindness and respect for all beings. She works, pro bono, photographing animals for local and national sanctuaries, to help raise funds for rescue and rehabilitation. In 2016, she donated art to Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary and knew, instantly, that the collaboration was meant to be! She subsequently joined Danielle Hanosh to create their first children’s book, "What Are Llamas For?" This book is extra special to Diana because it includes, not only some of her own animals but her grandson as Arlo, the angel! She looks forward to the production of many more books in the future. |
Barbara Micheal - Secretary
Barbara spent her career as a secondary teacher for 23 years and now finds that in retirement she has been drawn back to her students (Josh and Danielle!) and animals. She and her husband, Clark, own two black cats, Harry and Felix, and a Shitz-Poo named Bear. Between them and the grand-kids they are very busy! Barbara also volunteers with HandiRiders in Oroville, CA., which she enjoys very much as the former owner of horse who actually pretty much owned her. HandiRiders is an organization that pairs special needs young people with horses for an hour of instruction and exercise with an emphasis on the individual's relationship with the horse. While working with HandiRiders, Barbara experienced first hand the powerful and healing relationships that animals and people can form and joined Blackberry Creek to promote her belief that it is peoples' duty to protect and love all animals, especially those who have been cast aside or neglected. She hopes people will visit the sweet animals at the sanctuary and form special bonds of their own.
Barbara spent her career as a secondary teacher for 23 years and now finds that in retirement she has been drawn back to her students (Josh and Danielle!) and animals. She and her husband, Clark, own two black cats, Harry and Felix, and a Shitz-Poo named Bear. Between them and the grand-kids they are very busy! Barbara also volunteers with HandiRiders in Oroville, CA., which she enjoys very much as the former owner of horse who actually pretty much owned her. HandiRiders is an organization that pairs special needs young people with horses for an hour of instruction and exercise with an emphasis on the individual's relationship with the horse. While working with HandiRiders, Barbara experienced first hand the powerful and healing relationships that animals and people can form and joined Blackberry Creek to promote her belief that it is peoples' duty to protect and love all animals, especially those who have been cast aside or neglected. She hopes people will visit the sweet animals at the sanctuary and form special bonds of their own.
Joshua Hanosh - CFO/Co-Founder
Josh graduated from the University of California at Davis with a degree in finance and returned to earn his secondary teaching credential and his Master of Education. He now teaches math at the middle school level in Rocklin, California. In college, while watching the documentary Food Inc. Josh was shocked to learn how little he actually knew about where his food came from and how the animals used to produce it were treated. He began investigating his choices and eventually came to the realization that it was not just to cause suffering to animals simply because one derives enjoyment from eating them. Josh stopped eating meat (which used to be his favorite food) and vowed that from then on, he would show animals the kindness, respect, and understanding they deserve.
During his time in the classroom, Josh has drawn many parallels between young people and animals and believes humankind has a great deal to learn from our feathered, furry, and scaly companions on this earth. As one of the main caretakers at Blackberry Creek, Josh spends his time making sure the rescued residents feel secure, cared for, and loved. He enjoys helping people learn about making responsible and compassionate lifestyle choices and believes that one of the main ways God watches over animals is through the people He created. Josh hopes that through future programs for students, veterans, foster youth, and the elderly, people will come to find God's love for them and their own self-worth when they learn the miraculous stories of the animals who have learned to trust, love, and be loved in return.
Josh graduated from the University of California at Davis with a degree in finance and returned to earn his secondary teaching credential and his Master of Education. He now teaches math at the middle school level in Rocklin, California. In college, while watching the documentary Food Inc. Josh was shocked to learn how little he actually knew about where his food came from and how the animals used to produce it were treated. He began investigating his choices and eventually came to the realization that it was not just to cause suffering to animals simply because one derives enjoyment from eating them. Josh stopped eating meat (which used to be his favorite food) and vowed that from then on, he would show animals the kindness, respect, and understanding they deserve.
During his time in the classroom, Josh has drawn many parallels between young people and animals and believes humankind has a great deal to learn from our feathered, furry, and scaly companions on this earth. As one of the main caretakers at Blackberry Creek, Josh spends his time making sure the rescued residents feel secure, cared for, and loved. He enjoys helping people learn about making responsible and compassionate lifestyle choices and believes that one of the main ways God watches over animals is through the people He created. Josh hopes that through future programs for students, veterans, foster youth, and the elderly, people will come to find God's love for them and their own self-worth when they learn the miraculous stories of the animals who have learned to trust, love, and be loved in return.
Danielle Hanosh - Executive Director/Co-Founder
Danielle attended UC Davis and earned her degree in literature before completing her teaching credential and Master of Education. She is a middle school English teacher who believes God has called human beings to care for those on earth who are lonely, depressed, voiceless, and in need. Through her daily work in education and her volunteer experiences, she saw a glaring need for both children and animals to be better valued and cared for in a society that regularly fails them.
She and her husband, Josh, felt called to open a farm sanctuary in Northern California to rescue animals from neglect, abuse, and slaughter, and to teach people that they, like the animals, can heal from their difficult pasts and move forward into bright futures where they are respected, valued, and loved.
After saving to buy property and adopting plant-based diets, Danielle and her husband Josh formed Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary in 2014, and it is currently the home of over 40 animals including donkeys, chickens, turkeys, cats, pigs, dogs, llamas, and a tortoise.
Danielle attended UC Davis and earned her degree in literature before completing her teaching credential and Master of Education. She is a middle school English teacher who believes God has called human beings to care for those on earth who are lonely, depressed, voiceless, and in need. Through her daily work in education and her volunteer experiences, she saw a glaring need for both children and animals to be better valued and cared for in a society that regularly fails them.
She and her husband, Josh, felt called to open a farm sanctuary in Northern California to rescue animals from neglect, abuse, and slaughter, and to teach people that they, like the animals, can heal from their difficult pasts and move forward into bright futures where they are respected, valued, and loved.
After saving to buy property and adopting plant-based diets, Danielle and her husband Josh formed Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary in 2014, and it is currently the home of over 40 animals including donkeys, chickens, turkeys, cats, pigs, dogs, llamas, and a tortoise.