Meet Our Humans

Amelia Beausoleil

Amelia Beausoleil is the Adoption Counselor with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Amelia looks after all aspects of getting our animals their forever homes, including learning the personalities of pets and adopters alike, going over the best strategies for successful pet ownership, and matching potential adopters with their ideal pets.

Before joining Roanoke Valley SPCA in March 2026, Amelia worked for 6 years in various animal care roles at locations including the Kitsap Humane Society, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, and VCA Central Kitsap Animal Hospital. She has worked in enrichment, animal care, behavior modification, and training for both domestic and exotic animals alike. She has a BS in Zoology from The Ohio State University and a MS in Wildlife Conservation from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, as well as 6 years of animal care career experience. Amelia has 3 cats at home; Kerrigan, Newt, and Mackerel 

Ashley Leung

Ashley is the Animal Care & Enrichment Team Lead for the Roanoke Valley SPCA. Before joining Roanoke Valley SPCA in September of 2025, Ashley worked for 3 years at Hayden Insurance Agency. She helped people with insurance needs.

Ashley is also a Certified Dog Groomer, Pet sitter, and long-time animal owner. Ashley is the owner of two dogs; A standard poodle, Al, a toy poodle , Scotty, and three cats, Purrcy, Mika and Kiri.

Ashley can be reached by email.

Bilynda Cole

Bilynda is the Operations Manager with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Bilynda leads teams providing all aspects of animal care and customer service, including adoptions. Bilynda holds a Bachelor of Science from Auburn University in Animal Sciences, Production and Management, with a minor in agribusiness management. They also hold a Master of Science in Aromatherapy and Ayurveda from Maharishi International University.

Before joining Roanoke Valley SPCA in July 2023, Bilynda worked for 3 years at the Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection as their Support Supervisor. Bilynda supervised their adoption program, foster program, and their customer service team.

They share their home with two foster “fails” currently: Artemis “Moosie” and Aoife. Artemis, a beagle, was fostered (then adopted) from RCACP as a puppy. Aoife, a pittie, is the latest to join the family and was fostered and adopted through RVSPCA. These two sisters make sure life is always interesting, but can often be found snuggling when they’re not busy sniffing out the latest curiosity in their vicinity!

Carly Nelson

Carly is the Part-Time Foster Coordinator with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Carly looks after all aspects of if the foster program, including recruiting, onboarding and supporting our foster families.

Before joining Roanoke Valley SPCA in September 2025, Carly worked for four years at the University of Florida as a Research Associate in the Environmental Horticulture Department. She produced educational content for an greenhouse training program and provided technical support for a variety of research projects involving controlled-environment plant production, water quality, and nutrient management. 

Carly has a ginger tabby, Ronan, who was adopted as a kitten from Faithful Friends Pet Rescue in Gainesville, FL.

Carly can be reached at (540) 339-9506 or by email.

C. Denise Hayes

Denise is the Chief Executive Officer for the Roanoke Valley SPCA. She is responsible for the overall management of the organization. At home, Denise has a rescued dog, Lola, who keeps her on her toes.  She’s six pounds of sass and love!  Denise’s prior rescue, Polly, served as an animal ambassador for the Roanoke Valley SPCA until she retired in 2024. Prior to working at the Roanoke Valley SPCA, Denise was a volunteer for our Foster Care program. She has a passion for helping animals in need within our community. To learn more about Denise, please visit her LinkedIn Profile.  Denise can be reached at 540-339-9500 or by email.

Dr. Jennifer McFarling

Dr. Jennifer McFarling is a Veterinarian and Medical Director for the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Dr. McFarling looks after, coordinates, manages, and leads a team providing all aspects of animal care including medical, surgical and behavioral care. Dr. McFarling received her BS in Zoology from the University of Maryland and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA staff in 2005, Dr. McFarling spent two years as a Veterinarian in private practice. Dr. McFarling’s animal family includes five Roanoke Valley SPCA adoptees: Shelby, a beagle/dachshund mix, Gracie, a tri-pod Beagle mix, Harpo, Luke, and George, feline brothers. Dr. McFarling can be reached at 540-339-9509 or by email.

Dakota Lakes

Dakota is the Customer Service Representative with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. She works with the adoptions team in the front office providing all aspects of Customer service, including processing adoptions, fielding any and all questions from our community, as well as a variety of support roles around the shelter.

Before joining Roanoke Valley SPCA in March 2024, Dakota worked for over 10 years in Customer service across several industries. She has a dog named Toast, a 5 year old Pit mix, and two cats, Swiss and Marshmallow, both kittens adopted from the Roanoke Valley SPCA.

You can contact Dakota via email.

Debbie Gilbert

Debbie is the Executive & Donor Relations Assistant with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Debbie assists the CEO and helps to foster donor relations. Before joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA, Debbie already had a diverse professional background including working at a Fortune 500 Company, a local community college, and for city and state governments. 

Debbie lives with her furry friends – Solo, a tripod Dachshund/chihuahua (Chi weenie) and Chester the kitten. Debbie says that Chester has stolen her heart. He bops noses with her each time she picks him up. However, Solo is still deciding how he feel about Chester!

Debbie says that she joined the Roanoke Valley SPCA because she is in the season of her life where she gets to choose how she spends her time. She is so grateful that she has the opportunity to support and serve the community through the efforts of the Roanoke Valley SPCA. Debbie can be reached at 540-339-9247 or by email.

Erin Dams

Erin Dams is the Operations Director with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Erin  provides our team with leadership, management, and a vision for the future. The Operations Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations and decisions in areas of shelter operations, including but not limited to programs and services, animal care, customer service, and safety.

Before joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA in 2021 as their Volunteer and Education Programs Coordinator, Erin was the Adoption Coordinator for Urban Cat Coalition, a Milwaukee-based cat rescue/community cat program, and the MidAtlantic Region Support Specialist for Best Friends Animal Society, helping advise shelters in six states on grant processes and establishing new programs. Erin holds a degree in Communications from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Erin joined the Roanoke Valley SPCA because she has a huge passion for pets (and their humans) and continuous education. No matter how much experience we accumulate, there is always something new for us to learn!

Erin can be contacted at 540-339-9505 or via email. To learn more about Erin, please visit her LinkedIn Profile.

Faye Miller

Faye is an ACE Team Member with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Faye looks after all aspects of animals in our care, including enrichment, medication, cleaning, and Behavior Modification.

Before joining Roanoke Valley SPCA in April 2025, Faye worked for 4 years at Duluth Dog Depot. There she took special care of hundreds of dogs, providing a comfortable and enriching environment, and forming relationships with dogs and their owners alike.

At home, Faye has two longhair cats, Miso and Darjeeling, as well as a fancy ball python, named Xanthippe.

Jack

Jack is a Roanoke Valley SPCA Canine Ambassador who helps with our Humane Education and visiting Pets programs. Jack is a medium-sized terrier who loves to sit in laps and get pets. If you’d like Jack or one of their Ambassador friends to visit your facility, please send an email to the Humane Education Coordiantor.

Judy Green

Judy Green is the Volunteer Coordinator with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Judy coordinates the team of volunteers in all aspects of volunteering, including responsible for recruiting new volunteers, training, coordinating, and retaining Roanoke Valley SPCA volunteers. The opportunities for volunteering include but are not limited to helping with donations, making frozen treats, transporting food and animals, cat and dog enrichment and even photo shoots.

Judy graduated from Cleveland State University and Hollins University, and her customer service background is extensive. Before joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA, she has been a Volunteer Coordinator with Roanoke Area Ministries and at a large Prison, Shelby County Division of Corrections in Memphis, TN, where there were 80 groups doing outreach for the inmates while they were there.

Judy can be reached at 540-339-9503 or by email.

Julie Rickmond

Julie Rickmond is the Marketing and Communications Director with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Julie manages all aspects of advertising and marketing including media appearances, website and social media communications, and print design. Prior to joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA, Julie spent over 15 years as an Art Director for a national outdoor advertising agency in addition to running her own freelance graphic design & fine art business. Julie joined the Roanoke Valley SPCA in July 2020 and she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from Virginia Tech.

She lives at home with her husband and their five fabulous rescued cats and one very goofy and loveable rescued Rottweiler. Julie joined the Roanoke Valley SPCA because she loves all animals and is especially passionate about finding homes for the pets in our community. Julie can be contacted at 540-339-9513 or email. To learn more about Julie, please visit her LinkedIn Profile.

Landon Cox

Landon Cox serves as the Roanoke Valley SPCA’s Community Engagement and Social Media Coordinator. In this role, Landon supports the organization’s digital presence by creating and sharing engaging digital content that highlights adoptable animals, community programs and events, and the Roanoke Valley SPCA’s mission. He assists with social media strategy, outreach efforts, and storytelling that helps connect the shelter with the community. Landon is passionate about using creative communication to amplify the voices of animals in need and encourage adoption and support throughout the Roanoke Valley.

Before joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA, Landon earned his Bachelors in Marketing Management from the Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business. At home, he has a dog, a Coton de Tulear named Benji, and a domestic shorthair cat, Philo. 

You can learn more about Landon by visiting his LinkedIn Profile.  Landon can be reached by email.

Mary Carlin, CPA

Mary Carlin is the Finance Director at the Roanoke Valley SPCA. Mary is a CPA with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Before joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA in 2012, Mary worked in public accounting for 24 years and began working for the Roanoke Valley SPCA in February, 2012. In addition to her husband and three sons, Mary has two dogs: Dougal and Shandy, both adopted from the Roanoke Valley SPCA. To learn more about Mary, please visit her LinkedIn Profile. She can be reached at 540-339-9501 or by email.

Meadow Wilkerson

Meadow is an Animal Care and Enrichment Assistant with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Meadow provides all aspects of animal care, including enrichment, medications, cleaning, etc. Meadow is qualified in Fear Free Animal handling techniques.

Before joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA in May 2024, Meadow worked for Sloacum’s Appaloosa Ranch for 18 years, where she fed, cleaned, and medicated all of the horses, while also leading trail rides for groups.

Outside of work, Meadow’s love for animals continues at home. She has three ferrets — Peanut, Echo, and Little Girl — two dogs, Cajun and Leilah, four cats, Oyster, Turmeric, Chicken, and Kit Kat, and her horse, Dizzy.

Megan Arant

Megan is the Behavioral Support Services Director with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. Megan advises on all aspects of training, behavior, enrichment, and mental wellbeing of animals in the care of the Roanoke Valley SPCA.

Megan holds the Master’s of Science degree from Texas Tech University in Companion Animal Behavior and Welfare. Before joining Roanoke Valley SPCA in June 2024, Megan worked for 4 years at The Humane Animal Welfare Society where she oversaw behavior programming including: shelter dog behavior and welfare, day training and training class programs, and private behavior consulting for the public’s dogs in need. In addition, Megan has worked as a dog trainer, training pets, therapy dogs, and service dogs, and she previously held the position of Behavior Department Program Manager at the Humane Animal Welfare Society in Waukesha, WI.

Megan has a 10-year-old retired therapy dog named Liam. He is a Silken Windhound. Liam has a calm, nonthreatening demeanor and has played a crucial role in helping many dogs overcome their fear or uncertainty of other dogs!

Megan joined the Roanoke Valley SPCA to help and support wherever she can! Megan can be reached at 540-339-9247 or by email.

Moca

Moca is a Roanoke Valley SPCA Canine Ambassador who helps with our Humane Education and visiting Pets programs. Moca is a retriever mix who was adopted from a rescue in Texas in 2016 when he was a puppy. Through Therapets of the Roanoke Valley he became a therapy dog, visiting nursing homes and hospitals. After a short break from his “work” as a therapy dog, his current family realized that Moca missed those outing! He is so excited to join the RVSPCA Canine Ambassadors with his current family. Moca loves his toys, especially his stuffed cow. He adores absolutely everyone, and he can’t wait for his next outing. If you’d like Moca or one of his Ambassador friends to visit your facility, please send an email to the Humane Education Coordinator.

Nicole Hunts, CPA

Nicole Hunts is the Finance Assistant for the Roanoke Valley SPCA.  Nicole is a CPA with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Virginia Tech.  Before joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA in 2019, Nicole worked in local government and public accounting for seven years.   At home Nicole’s family includes her husband and three children.  

Ozzy Shively

Ozzy Shively is an Animal Care Technician who has been with the Roanoke Valley SPCA since May, 2015. He began his career here as an intern while attending William Byrd High School. Ozzy loves animals, and at home he has his best friend Bentley, an English Bulldog. Ozzy’s responsibilities include walking the dogs, cleaning their cages, feeding and watering them, and giving out lots of hugs and attention. In his off hours, Ozzy loves to travel and to spend time with family and friends.