Street Dog Hero Team
Marianne Cox, Founder
Marianne has always been surrounded by animals and is always the first to stop what she’s doing to help or rescue anything. After her first trip to Mexico while in college the sight of street dogs stayed with her and she dreamed of one day saving at least one of them. Twenty years later her dream became reality when she decided to not only save one, but thousands and started her own international rescue. She lives in Bend, Oregon with her husband Chris, two kids Bella & Colton and their 5 dogs and a cat – she has adopted 3 of her rescues and we’re sure this number will go up….
Dr. Tabitha Johnston, Veterinarian
Residing in Bend for the past decade, Dr. Tabitha Johnston earned her undergraduate and vet degree from Oregon State University. In 2019, she first started working with SDH after participating in an international clinic in Mexico. She is passionate about dental care and teaching new vets (would love to introduce some vet students to the work we’re doing at SDH!). Alongside her contributions to SDH, she also practices at Bend Vet. Accompanied by her husband (who is also a vet), three sons, and a menagerie of animals including three of her own rescued street dogs, Dr. Johnston embraces her love for veterinary medicine wholeheartedly.
Jaymie Friesner, Medical & Foster Manager
Jaymie was born and raised in Bend. She has always had a compassionate heart for animals but her love of dogs really flourished when her grandpa surprised her with her first dog on Valentine’s Day at 4 years old. Jaymie has always been an avid foster for different rescues around the U.S and was an adoption coordinator at a local shelter for 3 years before moving into shelter medicine. Jaymie now works as a veterinary assistant at Bend Veterinary Clinic and is sure to participate in spay and neuter clinics near and far. Jaymie resides in Bend with her husband, 2 kids, 5 dogs and their menagerie of pets.
Manny Ramos, Adoptions Program Manager
Also known as the “Adoptions Guy”, Manny has been passionate about saving and rescuing animals from an early age. Having had many dogs since his childhood, Manny says he cannot imagine life with a dog companion, or four! Also a longtime advocate for animal welfare and promoting shelter/rescue adoption, Manny has always found himself wanting to be around animals, especially dogs. Manny and his family reside in Bend where they enjoy various outdoor activities that include their animals. Manny and his family, wife Kari and their teenage son Jakobi, have worked as shelter volunteers for more 20 yrs in Washington State, and they also have fostered several dozen rescue pups for SDH and another local rescue in Central Oregon. They share their home in the woods with 4 rescue pups and 3 rescue mustang horses, a few chickens and the occasional pig or two.
Kelli Delperdang, Marketing & Communications Manager
Kelli grew up in San Clemente, California and ever since she was little, she has been a huge dog lover and an advocate for animals. Whether it’s pulling off the side of the road to rescue a lost dog or saving food scraps on vacation to feed stray dogs, helping animals is something that she has always been passionate about. Prior to joining Street Dog Hero, Kelli spent eight years working in marketing for brands such as Radio Disney, Hydro Flask and Rumpl. She moved to Bend in 2016 where she now lives with her husband and three dogs, Moose, Riley and Westy. When she’s not working, you can usually find her surfing, hiking or trail running.
Sayaka Komori, Systems & Information Manager
Sayaka was born and raised in Japan where pet adoption is not as widespread as it is here. But after coming to the US for school, her love of dogs was cemented forever when she fell for and rescued a Boston Terrier named Otis. Otis became the first of many rescue dogs for her, and helped motivate her to make saving dogs a big part of her life. In addition to her work with Street Dog Hero, Sayaka has volunteered for a number of rescue organizations in Nebraska, Washington and Oregon. She, her husband and their son live in Bend, Oregon with two rescue dogs of their own, Stella and Joan Miro, and an occasional foster dog or two.
cassandra Scheffman, Portland regional coordinator
Cassandra grew up around many animals and developed a deep love and concern for animals from a young age. In early adulthood she stumbled into fostering and volunteering with efforts to help dogs and cats in overcrowded shelters and on the streets of southeastern Arizona. She always knew she would reconnect with this passion and purpose in one way or another. Cassandra has worked exclusively in nonprofit or educational settings for a couple decades and is thrilled to join Street Dog Hero as the Portland Regional Coordinator, supporting our team of volunteers and fosters and events in the Portland, Oregon area. She lives in Portland with her partner, two children, a handful of dogs and cats, and a rescued parrot.
Brennan Beauchesne Rattay, Portland Regional assistant
Brennan grew up in Bend and from a young age loved being around her dogs and volunteering. After graduating from Oregon State University and moving to Portland, she and her husband, Scott had a dog they could call their own, an Australian shepherd, Melbourne. Currently Brennan and Scott reside in Wilsonville with their two dogs, Sydney (rescued Australian Cattle Dog) and an SDH foster fail, Gunner from Baja. Brennan is excited for the opportunity to expand Street Dog Hero in the Portland metro area. Brennan enjoys traveling, visiting wine country, snowboarding, camping, paddle boarding, and baking.
BECKY MCCOY, Education & Outreach Coordinator
Becky and her family live on a small hobby farm in Central Oregon. She and her family love the outdoors and adventure. She has two rescue dogs, two rescue cats, twelve chickens, three rabbits, and three goats. She hopes to add a pair of rescue donkeys someday. Becky spends her days working, homeschooling her son, gardening, tending to her barnyard, and occasionally fostering a pup or two.
Moirae Collett, ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN
In 2023, Moirae relocated from Corvallis, Oregon, to Bend to pursue her passion for pastry at culinary school. A lifelong dog lover, she has always had canine companions by her side. Her dream is to own a cupcake food truck. Moirae first connected with Street Dog Hero during Woof Fest, an event organized in partnership with her school’s culinary club to support the charity through sales of baked goods.
Victoria petitt, ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN
Victoria is originally from Torrance, California and she moved to Bend, Oregon in 2022 to pursue a natural resources degree from OSU-Cascades while exploring different career opportunities, including animal welfare. Victoria is used to having several dogs in her home at once because her mom has been fostering and adopting dogs for over 10 years. This experience has grown her understanding and love for dogs of all kinds, especially rescues. Thus, Street Dog Hero is the perfect place for Victoria to build her knowledge of animal welfare issues, animal behavior, and veterinary basics.
Bill & Ophelia
Bill and Ophelia joined the Street Dog Hero team in 2022. They were adopted from Brightside Animal Center and have been running the show here at SDH ever since! Bill is the self-appointed supervisor of the team and he’s not afraid to keep the humans and dogs here in check. Ophelia is always here for emotional support and to keep our laps warm during meetings. Together they make the perfect duo and the SDH team wouldn’t be the same without them!