
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Amy Coleman
President
Amy has loved animals for as long as she can remember and has always surrounded herself with pets, even in her dorm room in college. Growing up in California, Amy volunteered with her local animal shelter by fostering and socializing cats and walking shelter dogs.
After moving to Washington, one of Amy's first priorities was finding a rescue to volunteer with. Before joining WAAG’s Board as Secretary in 2024, Amy was a WAAG foster parent and volunteer. She is currently a fur mom to 2 rescue cats and 2 rescue dogs (pictured here with her first rescue dog, Willow). Amy is looking forward to continuing WAAG's mission of advocating for animals in Wahkiakum County.
“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.”
Elizabeth Rose
Director at Large
After retiring from a 25-year career in Education, Elizabeth turned her focus to working with dogs, volunteering at shelters and service-dog organizations. She quickly recognized that training dogs required the same patience, consistency, and clear communication as working with young children - an approach she calls Benevolent Authority.
Passionate about dog training, Elizabeth specializes in puppy basic training and crate training. Over the past seven years, she has completed numerous canine training and behavioral courses and is now finalizing her certification as a professional dog trainer. A lifelong animal lover, she has always shared her home with dogs, cats, and rabbits - maintaining a deep respect for their well-being and care. She believes in fully engaging with animals to nurture their physical, emotional, and intellectual needs.
Currently, Elizabeth and her husband, Peter, are traveling life with 7 year old DoraMae (Goldendoodle) and 5 year old Tolly (Poodle).
Ben Ahlschwede
Director at Large
Jenny Martin
Vice President
Jenny has been rescuing animals after discovering an abandoned kitten in a field when she was 8 in her small hometown of Nikiski, Alaska. She has been fostering, adopting, and rescuing cats and dogs ever since.
Professionally she has spent her life working in various non-profits and always drawn to help where the need is strongest. She has managed a group home for people with disabilities, as well as a domestic violence shelter.
"It has been a lifelong dream" Jenny says, "to help create a non-profit devoted to helping vulnerable animals."
Nikkie Alt
Treasurer & Secretary
Nikkie grew up in Micronesia with a passion for marine life and animals of all kinds. From her childhood in Palau to her college years in Oregon, she always had a cat, dog, or both by her side. Although she doesn’t currently have pets of her own, she fulfills her love for animals by pet sitting and caring for cats, dogs, and even farm animals. Nikkie and her husband plan to welcome corgis into their family in the future! She’s thrilled to have joined WAAG to support the community in meeting their pets' needs and ensuring their safety!
"All animals need love, care, and patience - only then will they understand safety."