Meet the Dogs Matter Team! The Dogs Matter Team runs and oversees our Dogs Matter Program. This awesome team is made up of recovery coaches who not only work with the foster parent, but also the pet parent. If you are fostering a Dogs Matter animal and want to send the team your updates feel free to also include dogsmatter@dallaspetsalive.org. More Information on the Dogs Matter Program HERE.
Embedded Files
Stephen Knight
Executive Director and Founder for Dogs Matter
Stephen started Dogs Matter in 2015 and has helped over 1200 dogs and their owners get a second chance to stay a family by providing temporary fostering to owners who are suffering from addiction and need inpatient treatment to get healthy again. Dogs Matter is a personal mission for Stephen who is also in recovery and will be celebrating 14 years clean and sober. Stephen is also a Substance Abuse Counselor and the Program Director at Legacy Cares where he runs an Intensive Outpatient program for people with HIV and Substance Abuse. Stephen has over 25 years of working in the Non-profit industry and plans to make Dogs Matter a national model program. Stephen lives in Dallas with his three dogs Jayde, Piper and Lady.
Angela Grillo
Director of Operations & Recovery Coach
Angela has worn many hats in various non-profit and spiritual-wellness communities. Angela is an artist, yogi, holistic life and business coach. She is also a Dream Reader, and creatively directs and develops new programs and workshops.
Angela began with Dogs Matter as Communications Coordinator and Content Creator, and has grown to coaching clients in recovery. Angela brings her skills working with individuals, groups, and organizations creatively and spiritually to support individuals for overall wellness and joyful living. Angela feels working with humans, pets, and a growing team is rewarding in many new ways!
Jenna Fischer
Dogs Matter Admin
Hello! I have been virtually volunteering for Dallas Pets Alive since March 2021. I started off as a Foster Profile Admin, and have since transitioned to the Foster Application Vetter Lead AND Dogs Matter Admin roles. I live in San Angelo, Texas, and really got into rescue when I was just 13 years old. I have fostered over 115+ animals ever since! When I am not volunteering for DPA, you can usually find me reading, watching a hockey game (Go Stars!), or losing at bar trivia.
Amy Stowell
Recovery Support Peer Specialist
Amy is a life-long dog lover (to put it mildly) and recently experienced her own insanity of addiction and the power of recovery. Her own lived experience as a Dogs Matter foster for several years, then her alcoholism recovery journey starting in June 2023 ignited a passion to support those seeking recovery in any way possible. She chose to exit the grind of corporate America to become a certified RSPS (Recovery Support Peer Specialist), manage sober living homes and dedicate her time and energy marrying her two passions of dogs and recovery with Dogs Matter. Her business and CPA (accounting) background allow her to foster recovery with a focus on life-skills and financial freedom.
Trish Tiemeyer
Recovery Support Peer Specialist
Trish has been a Foster Mom for Dogs Matter since 2016. She received her certificate as a Recovery Support Peer Specialist, and continuing to receive training in order to do even more for our community. Trish is passionate about advocacy, mentoring, and supporting the recovery community.
Trish is considered the Mother of Rehoming Dogs after successfully finding the purrfect forever homes for River, Finn, Angel and Oliver.
Shawna
Peer Recovery Coach
Coming Soon
Jana Radley
Project Specialist, Dogs Matter
Rescue dogs have always been a central part of Jana's life, and seniors hold an extra special place in her heart. She began volunteering with DPA in 2022 and was a part of the volunteer operations team before joining Dogs Matter. Jana believes in the human-animal bond and in building compassionate communities where everyone has access and opportunity to share in the love of furry family members. Her professional background includes project management and course and proposal development. After several years of full-time travel, she now enjoys relaxing at home and time on the trails with her two dogs—the senior enjoying the view or a nap from the comfort of his backpack.
NAME
ROLE / TITLE
ABOUT
Page updated
Report abuse