Animal Manor Sanctuary Board of Directors
Board
Animal Manor Sanctuary
Board of Directors
Diane Donahue
Executive Director
Diane Donahue
Diane Donahue began her career as a NYS Park Ranger, after working for the park system she studied to become a Board-Certified Therapeutic Recreation Director and A Certified Dementia Practitioner. Bringing her therapy dog to work every day to visit her patients. Having 3 rescue dogs and 2 rescue cats, she began volunteering for Second Chance Rescue, and then on to Rescue Dogs Rock NYC as executive director. After leaving RDR, she fostered and volunteered for S.N.A.R.R. (special needs dogs) and Grateful Doggies Rescue. She was also the Vice President and board member of the Port Jervis/Deerpark Humane Society. Animals have been passion since childhood. She is married to her husband of over 17 years Shamus, and they have two boys. Her fondest memories are with the Rockland County 4-H club, under the direction of Lisa Will, where she learned to ride horses and learned how to take care of all aspects of running a barn. Ethel Barnes and Lisa Will were instrumental in fostering her love of horses. Her mother worked for Cornell Cooperative Extension, where she raised chickens and bunnies. Her father was a NYS
Park Manager. She attributes her love of nature and conservation, and animal welfare thanks to her parent's example. Diane is also a Reiki Master and an active volunteer for SARA (Shelter Animal Reiki Association) and thanks Leah D'Ambrosio and Kathleen Prasad for making Animal Manor an exclusive Let Animals Lead ®️Sanctuary. 
Board of Directors:
Erin Talarico: Secretary
Erin graduated from Mount St Mary College with a B.A. in English and for close to a decade now, is the owner/operator of a pet sitting company here in the Hudson Valley. Since 2011, Erin has volunteered with numerous rescue organizations including; Lost Pets of the Hudson Valley, Rescue Dogs Rock, and as a board member of the Port Jervis Humane Society. She resides in Orange County, NY with her two rescue dogs; Georgia and Liam.
Cris Carpenter Vice President
ACO for Newburgh, and animal rescue volunteer. She has a wealth of knowledge as animal control officer and a dog momma!
Sally Porter President Being a long time Advocate for all things Wild and Domestic. Preserving the natural world and eco system in very important to me. Actively involved and a member of multiple Conservation Clubs, Organizations and Grass Root Groups. I help protect the local lands and waters of my now home, in the beautiful Hudson Valley nestled on the banks of the Neversink River, I was born and raised in my Native Land Ontario, Canada. I feel this gives me a very different perspective than many of my local friends. I believe culture and upbringing makes us all unique and valuable as individuals, especially when coming together as a group.
My Very first pet was a Tortoise (Toni) , Then a Hedgehog ( Spike ) , Besides of course the ponds I made in the back yard to fill with crayfish. I started my first job at a very young age I worked at ZOOZ now Safari Niagara. I was very fortunate to be trained and mentored by some amazing people. From falcons to felines and not not your domestic variety I was privileged to work with the smallest Forest cats from Oncilla to the king of the savanna, our amazing pride of 4 full grown Lions. I transformed from just providing daily care to advocating for their mental and physical health into designing and making much more enriching , spacious and inviting exhibits. Such as adding water features to the Tigers' space. Adding better monkey bars, ropes and obstacles along with way bigger enclosures for the monkeys ex. My very first Apt was Quickly turned into a Reptile Rescue. Ware from far and wide people would drop off sick and unwanted reptiles. I would nurse them and find them their happily ever after. There was nothing official about this. I was 18 years old just doing what I felt was right. Grandma Porter was a Horse trainer and breeder, along with cows and many acres of land to farm. I was introduced to hard work and tough love early. Today I carry the very same passion, All lives deserve respect no matter what species. I stay very active in my community on many levels. To be a part of Animal Manor aligns with all my core values and I'm extremely thankful to be a part of this mission.
All Dreams Spin Out From The Same Web.
Donalee Berard, CPA Treasurer
Donalee is the named senior partner of Berard & Associates, C.P.A.’s, P.C., which she opened in 1984. Donalee is licensed in NY, NJ, and PA, specializing in serving all manner of clients, including individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and governments.
Donalee graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas College with degrees in Accounting and Actuarial Science. Donalee is a member of several professional Accounting organizations including the AICPA, NYSSCPA, NCCPAP, AICPA Government Audit Quality Center, and the AICPA Not-For-Profit Division. Donalee has served as an advisor to the AICPA Pension Committee, which serves accountants throughout the United States and Canada.
Donalee is the past President and is still currently active as a member of the Suffern Rotary Club. Donalee participates in Rotary International conventions, third-world projects and supports local charitable agency’s projects and fundraisers. Donalee continues to serve on the board of the Suffern Library and supports many, many charitable organizations. Donalee also enjoys salsa dancing with her husband Jim.
Mission Statement
Our Mission, Vision, and Core Values
Mission
Animal Manor strives to create a comfortable, sociable environment and promote a naturally integrated atmosphere for our animals. We believe that freedom, socialization and inclusion are key factors in the rehabilitation and well-being of our occupants.
Vision
We will advocate for those without a voice through community awareness and education. Through training and rehabilitation, we will strive to make each animal happy, healthy and available for adoption.
Core Values
Accountability - In addition to our responsibility for the health and well-being of our occupants, we are responsible for educating our community and conserving our environment.
Community - As a sanctuary, we strive to improve our community by accepting local occupants first, including the animals that local rescue groups cannot accommodate. We will also work with Trap/Neuter/Return groups to help control the feral cat population and work to educate our community about this program and its purpose.
Passion - We are passionately committed to saving our animals, preserving the environment that surrounds them, and helping our community.