Terra Kraettli
In addition to having the business background of being a Leanin’ Tree rep for many years, and having owned a coffee shop, Terra Kraettli has been involved in local rescue and sheltering for almost 40 years. She’s been on staff at such organizations as the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, and rescue groups, including the group she currently heads, Pals Forever. She knows virtually everybody who’s been in rescue long-term. Her knowledge of rescue organizations in the area is extensive. Pals Forever handles a small number of dogs at any given time, but over the course of a year places many dogs in forever homes.
Three of her rescue dogs, Ashley, Trinity, and Dalilah, are customer favorites.
For relaxation, and to express her creative side, Terra makes jewelry. She keeps a steady supply of one-of-a-kind necklaces and bracelets (especially ones with paw print beads) in stock at the store.
Linda Hoover
Besides owning retail businesses, Linda Hoover has been a senior kennel staffer and dog room manager at an animal shelter. The brutal reality of that job pushed her to find ways of rehabilitating shelter dogs in order to decrease euthanasia and increase successful adoptions. That led her to training and becoming certified as a Tellington TTouch Companion Animal Practitioner. She uses it in working with traumatized animals, especially mill dogs. Moving to Colorado Springs gave her a large number of rescue groups with which to work. She teaches TTouch classes at House of Dog Training and All Breed Rescue & Training, as well as working with private clients and rescue groups.
She currently has 5 rescued dogs (including 4 puppy mill survivors); 2 cats (one a rescue), and 3 tortoises (2 are rescues). The dogs often have greeter duties at the store.
Board members who have moved away, retired, or moved on to other projects include co-founder Marcy McReynolds, Susan Sterritt, Lee Bathelt, and Megan Byers. All contributed greatly to the store during their tenure, and the store wouldn’t be what it is today without their hard work.
