Shelley Hamill

• Location: South Carolina
• Disaster Experience: (4) hurricanes (4) floods

Shelley is an associate professor at Winthrop University with a passion for teaching and a passion for animals. She has been involved in disaster work with animals for over 10 years. During Hurricane Katrina, she made two trips down to Slidell bringing some of her college students on the second trip to help with shelter work. “They needed to feel what can and does happen in these situations so they can be ambassadors to educate people on being prepared. You cannot get the full effect from television.” Shelley is a sought after speaker/presenter and is a member of the Noah’s Wish training team. She currently has 3 cats (2 of whom are rescued) and a 2 year old golden retriever along with a 6 year old yorkie. She is a community first aid instructor for both people and pets and holds a professional rescuer certification.

Karen Bohlke

• Location: Virginia
• Disaster Experience: (1) flood, (1) hurricane, (1) fire

As a Real Estate Broker and business owner in Hampton, Virginia, Karen brings a wealth of organizational skills and experience to Noah's Wish. Her 14 years of business experience, plus five years working at the local battered woman's shelter, gives her a vast background in crisis management, supervising volunteers and coordinating all of the paperwork involved in the intake of animals in disasters.

Karen has responded to many disasters over the past few years including floods in Mullens, West Virginia in 2001, fires in Victorville, California in 2003 and Hurrican Katrina in Slidell, Louisiana in 2005.

In her local area of Southeastern Virginia, Karen volunteered in animal care and adoptions at the Penisula SPCA and has served on the Board of Directors for the Peninsula SPCA. She has a wonderful 15 year-old yellow shorthaired cat at home.