The Animal Haven Staff
Our leadership team helps guide every aspect of life at the shelter—from daily operations to training and adoptions. With their expertise, compassion, and commitment, they ensure the animals receive the best care and the best chance at a new beginning. Meet the people leading the way:
MYRIAM BEAUDIN
Director
Myriam Beaudin comes to us from Canada where she was the Medical Coordinator and Executive Director and then Vice President of the Aristopaws, an animal rescue that specializes in intensive medical cases. She also was a veterinary assistant for several years and has extensive knowledge regarding animal health and veterinary care.
AVA PURDUE
C0-Manager Dogs
Ava graduated from Wesleyan University with a Master of Arts in Integrative Sciences, Psychology & Animal Studies, and conducted research on topics related to animal studies, enrichment, ethics, and captivity. She also completed internships at Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York and at the Na’ankuse Wildlife Sanctuary in Windhoek, Namibia.
EMILY REDNAK
Co-Manager Cats
Emily Rednak was a volunteer and manager for over a year at Happy Tails Sanctuary in Koh Samui, Thailand, where she managed a team of other volunteers and provided comprehensive care to homeless dogs and cats. Emily also was a supervisor at a local dog grooming, boarding, training and daycare facility for several years.
And of course, behind the scenes is our incredible team of kennel assistants—working hard every day to care for our animals and keep things running smoothly. We’re so grateful for their dedication and compassion. Meet the team that helps make it all happen:
ASHLEY AHEARN
CAROLINE BELLMORE
JOHNATHAN CESPEDES RIVERA
SAMUEL NOBILE
KARRIE MILLER
The Animal Haven Board Members
Our board members play a vital role in guiding the shelter’s mission and long-term vision. Their leadership, experience, and dedication help ensure we can continue to grow, improve, and serve animals in need. Meet the board behind the mission:
DONNA CAPONE
Donna Capone is a Sports Broadcasting Operations Manager who has lived in Connecticut for over 25 years. Having served on several boards for her professional career, she is thrilled to combine her love of animals with a board position. Donna and her husband have adopted and raised three rescue dogs who have passed on. They look forward to the opportunity of adopting again. Donna is an avid baker who enjoys the challenge of creating event appropriate desserts for any occasion.
ARNOLD CARY, DVM
Dr. Cary (Arnie) is a retired veterinarian who owned the Bethany Veterinary Hospital. He started the practice doing “All Creatures Great and Small”- a mixed animal practice. Eventually he specialized, doing mainly small animal medicine and surgery. At one time he and his family owned a number of horses and ponies, a pygmy goat named “Sherman,” and many dogs. He and his wife now reside with two rescue cats, Mia and Jimmy. Arnie’s other interests include sculling (rowing) and fundraising and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.
LINDA MARINO
Linda Marino is a retired lawyer, who was a partner at the law firm Flemming Zulack Williamson Zauderer LLC in Manhattan and an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. After retiring from the practice of law, Linda moved to Connecticut. Having always had a love for animals, she decided to focus her energies on helping vulnerable animals in need, which led her to volunteer and become a board member and then President of The Animal Haven. Linda enjoys playing tennis, spending time with family and friends, and taking long walks with her dog Scout (an Animal Haven alumnus).
ROBERTA FRIEDMAN
Rob Friedman is a retired public health professional, whose career focused on a variety of issues, including sexual assault prevention, health and sexuality education, healthy eating, and obesity prevention. Her last job was as the Policy Director for the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. She lives in Hamden with her husband, and is a craftsperson who enjoys sewing, knitting, rug hooking, and making miniatures. She also loves puzzles (jigsaw and crossword), but jigsaws are out now because her cats, Charlie and Toby (Animal Haven rescues), would have a field day with them.
JEFFREY O'DONNELL
Jeff O’Donnell is a retired CPA who has been volunteering with The Animal Haven for 23 years and has been doing TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) work with feral cats for 20 years. He lives with four cats and a dog.
CYNTHIA HEERING
Cynthia Heering has lived her whole life in Connecticut, was educated at a Connecticut State University, and recently retired from a national insurer where she was an actuarial director. She adopted her first dog as an adult from The Animal Haven in 1996 and has been a donor and fan ever since. Most of her past volunteer work has been focused on teaching children math. She lives with her husband and their dog, Bowie.