Meet the Board

Meet Our Board

Hello and welcome to from all the Board members! We are thrilled to have you here and appreciate your interest in Dog Paws Dane Rescue!

We rely on the support of our dedicated volunteers, donors, and Guardian-to-Adoption homes to make our work possible, and we are grateful for any help you can offer. Whether you are looking to adopt a Great Dane, donate to our cause, or volunteer your time, we welcome your involvement and encourage you to reach out to us with any questions you may have.

From Loss to Love: Saving Danes, Honoring Lives.
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Kelley

KELLEY GAUL-HOUSER

Board President

Kelley is the Owner of Dog Paws Boarding Resort, LLC. In Cedar Rapids, IA. After successfully running Dog Paws for 3 years, she has decided to fulfill another DREAM and create her very own non-profit.

Dog Paws Dane Rescue is the Non-profit arm of Dog Paws Boarding Resort, LLC. Part of the building has been designated to be used for our Rescue Danes! This means that Kelley is the primary care-taker for all the Danes who enter our Rescue. As such we are able to house, provide Veterinarian services and get to know each Dane on a level that most can't.

I am so honored and excited to have the wonderful opportunity to help families in some of the most challenging moments in time and offer them peace of mind.

PAULA MACKENBURG

Vice President

Hi! My name is Paula Mackenburg. I live in Northern Wisconsin and similarly to Kelley, I own and operate my own Dog Kennel business for 10 years. I am also deeply involved in volunteer work with another Great Dane rescue. In addition, I have owned and operated my own Floral Business and now work Full-time as a Local Gardner for our Community!

I have a love and passion for Great Danes! My mantra for years has been “Fostering Danes Saves Lives.” In fact, I made a solemn promise to a very sweet Dane in need years ago and have faithfully tried to fulfill this promise as much as possible over the years.

I am currently on my 86th Foster Dane! I am also "owned" by my own Danes - Bluebell & Presley (images above) who are both foster fails. They are foster mentors to those that come here for care!

When Kelley shared the sacred mission of this rescue, I jumped at the opportunity to support the mission in whatever capacity I could. As a long time Dane owner and foster mom, it has always been a worry for me what would happen to my kiddos if something were to happen to me. It is important for people that are faced with these difficult situations to know that there is an option for their Dane. The vision of this rescue is specifically to help the families and the Danes during these hard moments of life.

I am happy to help Dog Paws Dane Rescue and be a part of this sacred Mission.

RACHELLE GAUL

Secretary

Hi! My name is Rachelle Gaul. My love and passion for animals started when I was a young girl, watching my older sister (Kelley) take our family dog to obedience classes. I have been a volunteer for several different animal rescue groups over the last 10 years. I am proud and excited to join my sister in the journey of this new rescue. The mission of this rescue is one that we hold near to our hearts, honoring those dog owners that are unable to care for their beloved pets due to an illness or passing away. I work full time as an x-ray technologist in a cath lab and I'm a partner in a home staging business. I have a 12 year old daughter, Hannah, who you'll often find tagging along with me and Aunt Kelley.

We have two dogs and two cats: Grandma B is a 15 year old hound mix, Boomer is a 3 year old miniature longhaired dachshund, Elsa and Bagheera are two American shorthair cats.

In my free time you'll find me enjoying a patio, going on bike rides or binging true crime documentaries.

TRICIA ANDERSEN

Treasurer

Hi! My name is Tricia Andersen and I was born and raised in Cedar Rapids. My husband, Brian, and I have three two-legged kids, Jake, Jon and Ali (all grown up) and one four-legged child, Kinnick, a 2 1/2 year American Bulldog (or Tank as Aunt Kelley nicknames her). While I have my day job working with payroll, in my free time I am an author.

I’ve been around dogs all my life but have learned the most since Kinnick came into my life. It’s driven me to want to see other dogs find safe, loving homes like hers.

I have 15 years working with all types of accounting from balancing bank statements to payroll. I look forward to serving Dog Paws Dane Rescue.

LINDSAY HANDY

Grief Support

Hi! My name is Lindsay Handy! I live in Cedar Rapids, IA with my husband, daughter and two four-legged dogs Chloe and Elsa (pictured above).

I am the owner of Heartfelt Healing where I provide Human Grief counseling and meet every client where they are in his or her Grief journey. I have had to take care of my parents animals when they passed so I have seen first hand that animals can experience grief and helped them on their journey. Our family recently lost our Thomas our 14 year old Border Collie and I am still processing that grief myself as well as helping my daughter navigate the loss of her pet.

I want to give back to Dog Paws Dane Rescue families who are going through an emotionally challenging time.

I am so honored to be part of Dog Paws Dane Rescue! This rescue is so incredibly special and near to my heart because of the connection to loss and keeping the love in dogs lives.

Contact the Board

From Loss to Love:Saving Danes, Honoring Lives