Raised in the Bay Area, Karen moved to Truckee in 1999 to teach skiing and never left. With more than 20 years of experience in the animal care field which started with HSTT in 2001,  Karen is thrilled to be back where it all started for her.  While she has worked in many areas of animal welfare throughout her career, her heart has always been with helping homeless pets, making her return to HSTT feel like coming home.

As an Adoption Specialist, Karen loves helping people find the pet that’s just right for them. She has a special passion for working with shy, anxious, and fearful dogs, helping them build confidence and prepare for successful lives with their new families. A graduate of Peaceable Paws Training Academy, she was also honored to receive the APDT Shelter Staff Award, reflecting her commitment to positive, compassionate training and behavior support.

When she’s not at the shelter, Karen enjoys spending time with her daughter, Lola, whenever she’s home from college, and with her dog, Billie, an HSTT alum adopted in 2023. She also loves paddleboarding, hiking, stargazing, working out, watching British mystery shows and eating yummy food.

karen@hstt.org
530-587-5948