Celebrities
- Staci Matthews
- Dr. Justine Lee
- Donnell Rank
- Lena Svenson
- Scott Schneweis
- Ali Jarvis
- Liz Sand
- Alexis Walsko
- Jenna
- Peyton
- Dana Andresen
- Katie K-9
Staci Matthews - KS95
Staci Matthews is one half of the Moon & Staci Afternoon Show on KS95 FM (www.moonandstaci.com). Staci has been an animal lover her whole life but has a special weakness for cats. She and her husband of 5 years, Tony, live in Fridley with their gaggle of felines. Loki (who also answers to "Fattie" or "Puppy") is a big, noisy, chunk of black & white love rescued from a no-kill shelter. Lily is a calico from the humane society who enjoys naps in the sun and coughing up the occasional fur ball. Phoebe is their tortoiseshell who is a champion snoozer and whom Staci credits for alerting her to her breast cancer 5 years ago. Phoebe began a persistent lounging habit on Staci's chest prompting her to notice a lump leading to her eventual surgery and a full recovery. Staci and Tony expect to someday add a dog to their hairy brood. (Staci fell in love with Murphy last year...Who didn't?)
This is Staci's second year participating in the Pet Haven Fall Benefit.
Dr. Justine Lee
DR. JUSTINE LEE is an assistant clinical professor at theUniversity of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicineand a diplomate of the American College of VeterinaryEmergency Critical Care. She has authored two booksentitled It's a Dog's Life... but It's Your Carpet: Everythingyou ever wanted to know about your four-legged friend (RandomHouse, April 2008), along with It's a Cat's World... You Just Live In It:Everything you ever wanted to know about your furry feline(Random House, December 2008).
Donnell Rank
Donnell Rank has been delighting Minnesotans for years. As the National Sales Trainer for Forsythe Appraisals, she inspires Branch Managers across the United States to achieve their greatest potential, and was named one of 25 “Minnesota Women To Watch” by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal.
As the International Spokesperson for Smile Network International, Donnell helps provide reconstructive surgeries to impoverished children around the world. Recently as Mrs. Minnesota International 2007, she promoted the non-profit organization throughout Minnesota.
Donnell and her beloved, Glen, reside in Minneapolis with their three “furry children” that they affectionately refer to as: ‘the pack’; their Standard Poodle - Hunter, Bailey - a Shih-Tzu, and their Miniature Maltese - Sophia, who is the true “princess” of the house.
Lena Svenson (co-host, The Dave Ryan in the Morning Show, 101.3 KDWB)
Lena Svenson is the newest addition to the Dave Ryan in the Morning Show. She’s been acting and performing since the age of four, and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Theatre Arts. Working at KDWB is Lena’s first foray into radio; before that, she worked in theatre, film, and improv around Wisconsin and the Twin Cities. Lena is one hundred percent Norwegian, was raised by a hippie and a Lutheran in western Wisconsin, and has a horrible sense of direction. She hopes to one day own a large group of dogs that she can knit matching sweaters for.
Scott Schneweis
Scott Schneweis is good at many things but great at none of them. Every month, Scott prominently displays these mediocre attributes and writes about it in his Semi Pro column for METRO Magazine. Whether it’s speed-dating, beekeeping or risking life and limb as a rodeo clown, Scott attempts to reveal what it’s like to be an ordinary person in an extraordinary situation. While he can also be seen and heard on various TV and radio programs across the Twin Cities, Scott knows that that he’s not really a celebrity, and he thanks you in advance for not heckling him and pointing this out.
Ali Jarvis
Ali Jarvis hadn’t planned on changing her whole life because of her dog Luc, but that’s what happened. Diagnosed with an incurable neuromuscular disease as a puppy, her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel required medicine every four hours in order to stay alive. That meant only one thing for Jarvis -- taking Luc almost everywhere she went.
Jarvis feared many places would not allow Luc to accompany her inside. Much to her delight, however, she quickly found that the answer was often an enthusiastic, "Yes." Endeared to those businesses, Jarvis returned to them time and again because of their kindness.
Then it hit her -- there was a solid business case for being dog-friendly. If the businesses Luc and she patronized on a regular basis were getting return visits from her, they would also get return visits from many other dog parents. She also discovered that businesses with shop dogs were seeing loyal patronage from people who loved seeing that dog each time.
Inspired, she immediately brainstorming ways she could leverage her background in advertising sales and business development to help those businesses connect with more dog parents and dog lovers. She began by creating and pitching a column called Shop Dog. As she looked for help refining the idea, she met Sidewalk Dog co-founder Alice Barry, who, inspired by her dog Indie, was producing the Twin Cities' first dog-friendly events social events in businesses and business districts.
Jarvis and Barry hit if off immediately and began working on an idea to build community through the common bond with dogs. To them this meant finding a way to mutually benefit dog lovers, dogs, businesses and non-profits by helping them get connected. Their company, Sidewalk Dog (www.SidewalkDog.com), which launched on August 25, 2008, is the Twin Cities first online resource for connecting dog parents to the businesses, non-profits, employers, events and destinations who welcome their dogs.
Liz Sand
Liz Sand is co-owner of LuLu & Luigi – the store for discriminating pets and the people who love them. LuLu & Luigi is named for two rescued pets: LuLu (a Maltese) and Luigi (a Ragamuffin cat). This mother- and daughter-owned and operated pet boutique sells trend-setting items such as clothes, collars, toys, and premium quality foods and treats. As mother of her fur-baby LuLu and of Caroline (her lively 2 year-old girl), Liz is very busy juggling wifedom, motherhood and the responsibilities of 2 stores.
Alexis Walsko
Nearly 8 years ago, Alexis Walsko created Lola Red PR and Marketing in response to increasing requests from companies to get their products and services in the pages of national publications. As a firm, Lola Red PR and Marketing has serviced clients across the country from small start-up companies to nationally recognized retailers, fashion brands, and cultural icons including Goldie Hawn, Roberto Duran, and The Estate of John Lennon.
Today, Lola Red PR and Marketing focuses on results-driven campaigns and events. It is the personal philosophy of Alexis Walsko that “ink for the sake of ego” is worthless, whereas media coverage of dynamic programs, people, and products are mutually beneficial to the client and the public.
In addition to leading the team at Lola Red PR and Marketing and executing publicity campaigns, Alexis can be seen and heard on FM 107, KARE 11’s Showcase Minnesota, KARE OnLIVE, and the new show Twin Cities Live offering lifestyle tips and advice combined with a little humor. These media opportunities give Alexis incredible access and experience in creating successful media campaigns.
Jenna - Vikings Cheerleader
Jenna has been dancing for fifteen years and has enjoyed every aspect of it: the friends, practices, and her favorite, performing. She is originally from North St. Paul but is spending her time in the cities as a full-time student at the University of Minnesota. She is hoping to graduate with a major in Nursing and eventually work in a Pediatric ward. In her first season as a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader, Jenna has loved having the opportunity to be a part of such a fantastic team and organization. Her most memorable moment as a Rookie so far, was the rush of excitement while waiting to run through the tunnel at the Home Opener. In her spare time, Jenna loves volunteering at Children’s hospitals, playing with her two dogs Lucy and Sadie, and spending time with her close friends and family.
Peyton - Vikings Cheerleader
Originally from Mahtomedi, Peyton began performing at a young age and has loved it ever since. She is now in her 2nd season as a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader and has enjoyed every minute of it. Her favorite parts of being an MVC are performing in “Endzone Routines” at games and interacting with fans in the community. So far, her most memorable moment was traveling to Afghanistan this past summer to visit and thank the men and woman who are serving our country. When she is not dancing Peyton keeps busy being a full-time student at the University of St. Thomas where she is double majoring in Elementary Education and French. In the future, she hopes to teach kindergarten at a French speaking school. Peyton loves children and in her spare time enjoys volunteering in elementary classrooms, teaching dance lessons to young children and spending time with her friends and family.
Dana Andresen
Dana Andresen has over twenty years of retail management background and has worked with Chuck & Don's Pet Food outlet for the past eight years. Dana is a life-long animal lover, but has been deemed 'the cat lady' of Chuck and Don's as most of her co-workers are dog owners and dog lovers!
She, her husband Chris, and daughter Sydney, live with their three cats, Hobbess ('H') - 19, Zoe - 12, and Jane - 7 (and any strays that happen to stop by the back deck) in Blaine. Dana has worked with Pet Haven on several fronts and recently, Ode's story struck a chord. The service that Pet Haven performs and the path thye are paving for other organizations to follow, prompted her to personally sponsor Ode until shw was adopted. "After what this puppy has been through, that she can be so sweet, social, and open is a testament to her spirit and the character of her foster, Mary Montoya." Meeting these special people and puppies has been an eye opening and heart-warming experience. She feels honored to be part of this event and to walk with Ode.
Dana is a firm believer in spay and neuter initiatives and has worked on behalf of Chuck & Don's to partner with various Twin Cities animal welfare organizations maximizing sponsorships, food and monetary donations, and time in working toward reducing and some day eliminating pet overpopulation.
Katie K-9
Katie K9 has over 38 years of experience in canine obedience training and anyone who listens to the Katie K9 show on FM107.1 every Sunday from 4-6 pm, knows how much she loves pets.
With an enthusiastic style, a great sense of humor, and many years of experience, Katie is committed to educating dog owners, helping them train their family dogs into well-mannered companions. Katie offers her time honored training methods through year-round classes and private lessons. Hundreds of Twin City dog owners have benefited from Katie’s ‘K-9’ logic and kind-hearted patience. Katie has a soft spot for homeless pets and the issue of pet overpopulation and has given her time and efforts to many local organizations, most recently the Pins for Pets charity bowling event this past August. She is honored to have been invited as a guest celebrity to Pet Haven’s second annual Fall Benefit and looks forward to meeting the Pet Haven supporters, volunteers, and board of directors,
