Our Team

Staff

  • Maya was hired in August of 2021. Maya grew up in Calais, VT and earned her B.S. from UVM, her MBA at St. Michael’s College and worked at Middlebury College as Director of Animal Programs and Associate Director of Laboratory Support. During that time, she served on the Board of Directors of the Addison County Humane Society and discovered her passion for animal welfare. She served as Director of Program Development and Operations at the Maryland SPCA from 2003 to 2009 and at the Animal Welfare Association (AWA) in New Jersey from 2009 to 2021.

    802-254-2232, Ext. 201

  • Keri started working at WCHS in 2002 and holds the record for the longest tenure. Before becoming the Director of Operations, she gained extensive knowledge in animal health and behavior. She worked closely with the veterinarians to develop the Pet Care Assistance program and other Clinic services. In her current role, she oversees all programs, including the shelter and clinic. A natural at working with people, Keri easily stepped into leadership—and somehow still finds time to cuddle the kittens.

    Keri enjoys spending time with her family, hiking long scenic trails with her four-legged friends, and quilting.

    802-254-2232, Ext. 103

  • Violet joined WCHS part time in February 2025, and full time in March as our first ever Event and Marketing Manager. A Brattleboro native, Violet brings 13 years non-profit marketing experience. She returned to the area after 8 years at the Environmental Defense Fund in Washington, DC, and 5 years at PBS in Boston. 

    A mission driven professional, Violet is ecstatic for the opportunity to support the work of the humane society in saving local pets. Her family has taken in strays and cared for pets in need for her whole life, so the mission is close to her heart. 

    She has one dog (Buffalo) and one cat (Caterpillar). Both are rescues.

    Contact Violet for events, social media, business partnership, and third party fundraisers.

  • With over 15 years of experience in veterinary medicine and emergency services, Sarah brings a unique blend of clinical, leadership, and crisis-response expertise to her role. She has served as a Hospital Manager at multiple veterinary clinics, where she implemented training programs, improved client satisfaction, and supported team development during periods of growth.

    Most recently, Sarah served as an Emergency Services Dispatcher for Brattleboro Central Dispatch, coordinating urgent responses across multiple agencies.

  • Bio coming soon….

  • Eric started as a volunteer and was hired as our Kennel Tech in 2012. He has been such an asset to the team that he was promoted to Canine Specialist in the fall of 2017. Eric grew up and lives in Brattleboro.

    802-254-2232, Ext. 107

  • Starr was an experienced Veterinary Technician at Monadnock Humane Society, where she had worked since 2016. Starting as a shelter animal care technician, she advanced to assisting with medical procedures, organizing surgical schedules, and managing inventory.

    Starr works closely with both shelter animals and the public, providing animal care, pet adoption, and technical expertise. 

  • Chris brings extensive experience in animal sheltering, canine behavior, and emergency response. He has led intake coordination, medical and behavioral assessments, and staff training in high-volume shelter settings.

    As a former Animal Rescue Responder with the Humane Society of the United States, Chris worked on large-scale cruelty cases alongside law enforcement. His background also includes leadership roles with the TSA and the U.S. Air Force, which have strengthened his skills in crisis management and cross-agency coordination.

    Chris is passionate about humane, individualized care and community-focused animal welfare strategies.  

  • Hayley works with dogs, cats and smallies, providing loving care to all our residents. Her mom works at a local Veterinary Clinic, often bringing home sick or injured animals to help care for, so Hayley has grown up around many different types of pets.

    802-254-2232, Ext. 108

Veterinarians

  • Dr. Cote's journey to becoming a veterinarian is a testament to her passion and dedication. Born and raised in Bellows Falls, Vermont, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont before pursuing her dream at Cornell University’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

    Dr. Cote will perform spay/neuter surgeries, examinations, vaccinations, and routine diagnostics as part of WCHS's Pet Care Assistance program. This program offers low-cost or free care to owned pets when their owners are facing financial hardship.

  • Dr. Torcoletti graduated from Colorado State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. After graduation, she moved to Vermont where she has been working as a small animal veterinarian.

    She enjoys volunteering and has done a spay-neuter clinic in the Dominican Republic with World Vets, a Rabies Vaccine drive in Tanzania with Mission Rabies, and multiple trips with 4 Luv of Dog Rescue out of North Dakota, that provides spay, neuter, and vaccines on Native American reservations in North and South Dakota.

    In her free time, she enjoys doing anything she can outside, biking, hiking, kayaking snowboarding, etc.

    Dr. Torcoletti is at the shelter on Mondays and Thursdays seeing clinic clients, performing surgeries, and tending to the care of the shelter animals.

  • Dr. Kelly graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. After 12 years in conventional veterinary medicine — including 10 years as the owner of a busy small animal hospital, she returned to Tufts University for further studies under the auspices of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. 

    Dr. Kelly was the Capital Campaign Chair and worked tirelessly connecting with donors to ensure the needs of tomorrow's animals could be met.

    Dr. Kelly volunteers her time for WCHS.

  • Dr. Martino was our first on-staff veterinarian and she is the perfect fit for us! She always has a creative solution to every problem. Dr. Martino is at the shelter the first Friday of each month, seeing patients.

    Dr. Martino volunteers her time for WCHS.


Board of Directors

Officers

President: Kelly Carlin
Dummerston,
Patten Energy

Vice President: Linda Hoag
West Townshend,
Director & Founder of Caleb's Cherub's Educational Fund

Treasurer: Tami Purcell, Marlboro
Berkley & Veller Greenwood Country Realtors

Secretary: Michael Levock, Brattleboro, Brattleboro Savings and Loan

Current Members

Julie Hamilton, Guilford
Brattleboro Savings and Loan

Deepak Mirchandani, Dummerston

Kate O’Connor, Brattleboro
Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce

Ron Svec, D.V.M, Dummerston
Veterinarian, Retired

Former Members

Bradly Hamilton

Cortney Manix

Maggie Smith 

Dr. Sue Kelly

Ross Kinney

Steward McDermet

Gregory Lesch

Kristen Ziter Taylor