I am a pretty unique person in that I have my hands in a little bit of everything–read: far too many things! I’m full of passion and love, and truly LOVING my way through my best life. I am a paralegal, animal abuse investigator, a farmer, a personal trainer, a Law Enforcement Trainer for HSUS, a professor for the UF Vet Forensic Master’s Program, and an advocate of sharing love! I serve on a number of committees to further the knowledge and education of the connection between crimes against animals and crimes against people, including the Victim Services Committees for the National Sheriffs’ Association and the International Association of the Chiefs of Police. I am the co-Founder of the Love Leads Project, a project of Show your Soft Side, creating leashes for first responders through a whole community of love. We make the Love Leads at community events in the barn at Grand View Farm. I am also the President of the Maryland Animal Cruelty and Animal Fighting Task Force because I’m a huge nerd and always trying to share knowledge. I put myself through a variety of challenges so that I can share and be a resource of empowerment to others. I want to empower each person that I encounter to see the amazing person that I get to see in them!
My life is typically overcommitted combining passions all together. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, underwent over a year of chemo, and had a bilateral mastectomy in 2021 without reconstruction. I enjoy exploding all of the boxes that people try to fit women into. I made the choice to not have any reconstruction because I feel that breast do NOT define my femininity. My scars simply enhance my journey in life. I have 2 rescue pit bull type dogs, Orbit and Buddy the Elf. I love lifting heavy weights, even though post surgery there is a theory that you won’t be able to lift or lift heavy again…. and I am a farmer at Grand View Farm. I enjoy being strong enough to carry everything from the shop to the animals and driving the tractors!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I work at the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office and crafted a dream job out of passion for fighting animal abuse. I discovered a gap in 2004 and it ended up being my career of love. I’ve combined a lot of love, and even more love for sharing with the community all together. I’m not a lawyer, veterinarian, or police officer: I am a whole lot of me. I continually learn so that I can share with others. My most recent endeavor was gaining exposure to farm animals as a result of assisting an agency in Virginia with a cockfighting search warrant. I started volunteering at Grand View Farm, and the rest is history as I’m now a farmer and full of life because of my exposure to farm animals. I can truly attribute a large part of my healing process to becoming involved with GVF because I consider my journey like the regeneration of the pastures: what’s going on underneath the soil is not seen, but it is happening and the beauty that EXPLODES through green and life is truly RESILIENT.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
One Eleven Main, Vagabond’s Sandwich Company
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Since 2008
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I would have to say that the most interesting person that I’ve met is Mr. Wil. He’s not only one of my many bosses, but he’s truly a mentor that teaches me something new every single day. He’s especially incredibly patient teaching me to drive a tractor which is one of my greatest accomplishments.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
So…. I don’t have much time to watch TV. I would say my favorite movie is so cheesy: Elf
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I’m continually giving advice to people through my story. I want everyone to see their full potential in this life, because none of us are guaranteed tomorrow.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Grand View Farm
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Mr. Rothman. Mr. Rothman was my mentor from my very first job at Gordon, Feinblatt when I was 17. He took me under his wing and gave me so many stepping stones to pave my path. He’s one of the many mentors that I’m grateful for, but I would love to have lunch with him at One Eleven Main.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The farmer’s market on Saturdays! Especially Art and Cathy Johnson of Sweetaire Farm! I’ve met so many amazing people here, and truly come to love so many of the farmers/vendors. Art and Cathy have a special place in my heart always. Ask me about Wonder Woman, the orphaned lamb that I brought into my basement until we could get her to her new home!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully living on Grand View Farm somewhere so I can open the farm each and every day!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I choose not to live by fear. I’ve run off sides of mountains, rappelled waterfalls, swam with sharks many times, swam with whale sharks—all things to conquer fear. No, Wendy, I still won’t go skydiving with you!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My life, definitely life. Because each moment is a treasure. I’m so incredibly grateful. Each sunrise is a reminder of the present moment and to love. Each day we get a choice to live our best life, and be our best self. And, I choose that hard!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
There is a HUGE community of people who constantly love me, support me, and lift me up to be better. It truly takes a village to support everything I endeavor to do, and I cannot express enough gratitude and love in my heart for each person in my life. I am surrounded by love, and it truly makes me excited to learn, grow, and LOVE MORE!
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Peace, comfort, dog slobber/hair
