Meet our Charter Members!

Rachael Farmer

Rachael Farmer

Director and President

Rachael joined Boston Buddies in 2005. Rachael currently sits on the Board of Directors of Boston Buddies and serves as its President as well. Rachael is also the Applications and Adoptions Coordinator and is responsible for the Boston Buddies Email Account. Rachael conducts daily online shelter checks and contacts each shelter or humane society with a Boston listed to make sure they know that Boston Buddies is there for the dog if not reclaimed by its owner or adopted by the public. As part of that duty, Rachael has spent countless hours cultivating a professional and productive relationship with each of the shelters and humane societies in our covered region and by doing so has saved countless lives. Rachael has also reached out to other private rescue organizations to work together with them in coordination to insure that every Boston in need in Southern California has a rescue looking out for it. Rachael truly believes that rescue is a group effort. Rachael coordinates all of the home visits done by our volunteers and maintains the Volunteer Database. Rachael is a master at the difficult task of matching dogs with the home that is right for them. Rachael spends a majority of her time on the phone with applicants, adopters, shelters, relinquishing owners, vets, foster parents and volunteers and being a superstar advocate for the dogs. Rachael lives in the Inland Empire with her husband Michael and two children, Tommy and Stella, who keep her on her toes when she is not busy with Boston Buddies. Rachael has two rescue dogs of her own, Benny (a Boston Buddies alum) and Jersey (a senior pug), and prior to having children fostered many Boston Buddies alum.

Karen Engman

Karen Engman

Director and Treasurer

Karen joined Boston Buddies in 2004.  Karen currently sits on the Board of Directors of Boston Buddies and serves as its Treasurer as well.  Karen is also in charge of all of the paperwork and files for the organization and is responsible for all regulatory and informational filings with the State of California, the IRS and all the shelters and humane societies covered by Boston Buddies.  Karen serves as webmaster of the Boston Buddies website and is the primary moderator of the Boston Buddies Facebook Page.  In addition to these behind the scenes duties, Karen spends a great deal of her time on the road transporting dogs from shelters, to and from vet appointments and foster homes and also handles many of our adoptions.  Karen has fostered numerous dogs through the years and is our go to person for dogs with special medical needs. Karen has spent a great deal of time with our behaviorists learning different training techniques and is never one to shy away from a behaviorally challenged Boston. Karen lives in the Inland Empire with her husband Mark and is the proud mother of one adult daughter who earned many hours of volunteer time during her middle and high school years volunteering with Boston Buddies.  Karen and her family are proud foster failures several times over and always have more than a few Boston Buddies dogs in their home.  Karen has a special affinity for senior, special needs and hospice dogs and is a pro at maintaining rigorous medication protocols and getting multiple dogs to vet appointments.

Hereta Cervantes (AKA “Eretha”)

Hereta Cervantes (AKA “Eretha”)

Fundraising Coordinator and Charter Member

(To donate an item for one of our auctions, please contact Hereta at: fundraisingcoordinator@bostonbuddies.org)

Hereta began her volunteering journey with Boston Buddies back in 2008, shortly after adopting her Boston Terrier Bella. In 2011 Hereta became the 7th charter member for Boston Buddies. Hereta’s main title is Fundraising Coordinator and she is responsible for getting the donations for all of the Facebook auctions we have throughout the year, she is our Team Captain for Strut Your Mutt, hosts our annual Holiday Fiesta, our very successful and fun Holiday Boutique to benefit the Buddies and works on the Tea Party – by getting donations and sponsorships, setting up the vendors and so much more! Hereta works tirelessly to get donations and also spends a lot of time writing letters to businesses asking for donations. She also coordinates with other vendors by hosting online fundraisers throughout the year to help us raise funds.

Hereta has her own candle business and organic dog treat business and donates 30% of each sale to the Buddies. Her businesses have become so popular and it’s all in thanks to the faithful Boston Buddies fans. Hereta lives in Burbank with her husband Robert and their two Bostons, Ozzy and Boston Buddies alum, Bella.

Kathleen Engberg

Kathleen Engberg

Secretary and Charter Member

Kathy started volunteering with Boston Buddies in 2005. Kathy currently serves as Secretary and is the primary person responsible for writing each and every donor a handwritten thank you for supporting our efforts. Kathy also handles many of our adoptions and takes great joy in watching the dogs make a connection with their new families. Kathy is also ready to run out to shelters to check up on dogs that are there and to pull the dogs when they are available to come into rescue. Kathy and her husband Jack run the ever popular doggie contests at our annual Boston Buddies Boston Tea Party fundraiser. Kathy also fosters dogs and is proud to be a “foster failure” several times over. Kathy has a special affinity for senior dogs that may need some extra attention. In addition to volunteering with Boston Buddies, Kathy also volunteers for English Springer Rescue America helping to find homes for needy English Springer Spaniels as well. Kathy and Jack live in Lakewood with Boston Buddies Alums, 13 year old Maggie McGee, 11 year old Kingston, 10 year old Bo (Miss Bo Peep), and 12 year old Belle. Springer Rescue, Miss Hoagie, 13 years old, presides over the pack!

Dale Anne Eucker

Dale Anne Eucker

Charter Member

Dale Anne Eucker is a Charter Member of Boston Buddies and has been volunteering with us since 2002. Dale Anne lives in the northern portion of the territory we cover so she is always available to check on dogs in the Ventura and Santa Barbara County shelters. She often does home checks and helps with transporting dogs from these areas. Dale Anne lives in Camarillo with three rescue dogs, a French Bulldog named Merry, a Chihuahua named Rico and a tri-pawd Chihuahua/Min-Pin named Rocco.

Bethony Danz

Bethony Danz

Charter Member

I have a serious soft spot for animals, specifically dogs, and have a deep routed passion in making a difference, even if it’s something small. When I came across Boston Buddies back in 2013, I knew I wanted to get involved! I started with transports and shelter pulls and quickly found myself loving every second of it and wanting to volunteer more! From writing descriptions, to taking in owner surrenders, to sending Buddies off to foster families and furever homes—knowing that I am a small part in the journey of helping a special Boston in need is the most rewarding pure sunshine for my soul.

I am blessed with three wild rescues of my own and the most amazing Boston beauty, Daisy, who fills my heart and soul with special memories and forever sunshine. I am grateful to be a part of such a strong rescue team and to be a small part of making a big difference in a rescue dog’s life.

Terri Crook

Terri Crook

Charter Member

In 2015 Boston Buddies Inc. came to the rescue of all the San Diego and Riverside County Boston Terriers in need. I have been proud to serve as a Charter Member since that transition.

Luckily, my husband Alan, is totally on board and has become a wonderful rescue volunteer and Foster Dad. Our days are filled with meal prep, administering medications, poop patrol, neighborhood walks, shelter pulls, transports and vet visits. Our nights are filled with snuggles and snores. It might not be the “lifestyle” choice for everybody but we couldn’t be happier.

We have a plaque in our house that says, “Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever”. Realizing we have played a small part in making that happen for a dog or two is extremely rewarding.

Our home in Poway, CA is filled with smooshy faced dogs and one Chihuahua.

Mary Voce-Underwood

Mary Voce-Underwood

Charter Member

I have been actively involved in rescue since 1994 when bank foreclosures were at their height. Working in the real estate business, I discovered the unfortunate truth that families were often leaving their pets behind when they moved out. I would go pick them up and find forever homes for them. It was just that simple. Fast forward to 2012 when we adopted Sir Winston from Boston Buddies to add to our pack. I loved the idea of adopting a senior. I was so impressed with the entire process, which included filling out an application and a home check, along with the care that Boston Buddies obviously provides for all their rescues and the support they provide after adoption. I just wanted to be a part of it! I started to volunteer by doing home checks and then fostering (which I have failed at many times); shelter pulls; attending adoption fairs; and participating in the annual “Strut Your Mutt.” I was thrilled when they asked me to become a Charter Member. It is so rewarding to volunteer for such a great organization. They are committed to the health and well-being of all their rescues, which is evident in the way they provide the best medical care possible for any dogs that have special needs or just basic medical care before they move onto their forever home. My husband Jim and I currently have four Bostons, and our hearts seem to always be drawn to senior and special needs dogs. My family is very supportive of my involvement with Boston Buddies and when I text “We are going to be receiving a new Boston today that needs a little love,” the response is always, “Great! When will you be home?”

Cherish changala

Charter Member

Since 2009, I have had the wonderful joy of being able to volunteer for Boston Buddies. Every time I have been able to help with a home visit that led to a fur-ever home or transport a dog out of a bad situation or be a part of the Boston Tea Party and see all the joy on the Bostons that have been adopted, I have felt so grateful to be part of such an amazing rescue organization. To be involved with a rescue that has changed the lives of so many dogs and people has been a dream of mine. I always hoped to make a difference and an impact on dogs in need. In early 2014, I was honored to have been asked to help Kathleen Engberg with writing our thank you notes to all the generous people that donate to Boston Buddies. Then later in 2014, I became the Applications Coordinator and began to interact with all the dedicated volunteers that help with home visits in ensuring we find the right homes for our dogs. When I see an application turn into a fantastic home for one of our dogs, it brings me the greatest joy! Boston Buddies also blessed me with my Boston Terriers Zorro, Lola and Luke that mean the world to me. I have been touched by so many dogs in volunteering with Boston Buddies and truly believe in the saying “Who Saved Who.”

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Boston Buddies, Inc. is funded by your generous donations, our modest fundraisers, and in many instances from our members’ own personal funds. Many of our rescue dogs require extensive medical care and surgeries. Should you wish to help us with our efforts we appreciate donations in any amount.

All donations are tax deductible — we are a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit charitable corporation — and will help one more sick and homeless Boston find his/her way into a wonderful forever home.

Since our inception, we are honored to have assisted over 2000 dogs in their time of need and we strive to continue with this important work.

We thank you for your support!

Donations may be made via PayPal, or via US Mail.

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