Changing of the Guard at Potter League

MIDDLETOWN, RI — The cats, dogs, and Tuti, the mascot, have given the paw stamp of approval to some changes at the Potter League for Animals.

The board has elected eight new members. They are: Pat Heller, Betsy Leslie, Dick Brickley, Jean Ingraham, Ann Mencoff, Noelle Shiland, Elena Kissel, and Barbara Odegaard.

Meanwhile, Ellen Ford, Charlene Karns, Howie Naugle, and Eric Radler completing their second terms and have retired, as required by the by-laws.

Also, on Oct. 18, the board elected officers. Mary Edwards will continue on as president. Joan Johnson-Freese is vice-president, Leilani Brenner is secretary, and David Thalmann is treasurer.

Heller, of Newport, worked at the Potter League from 1987 to 2012 as humane educator and then as director of
development and outreach. Her dog Jiggs is adopted from the Potter League after riding a rescue transport here from North Carolina in 2008.

Leslie, of Middletown, retired from St. George’s School. She is a Potter League volunteer and HeadStart Trainer, who has raised pups for Guiding Dogs for the Blind for many years.

Brickley, an attorney, previously served on the Potter League Board of Directors and is a Newport summer resident.

Ingraham, of Portsmouth, is a real estate agent and a Labrador Retriever fancier.

Mencoff, of Chicago and Newport, hosted the 2016 Yappy Hour at her Bellevue Avenue home. Her rescue dog, Daisy, was the hit of the party.

Shiland, of Middletown, is a real estate agent, who is a regular attendee at all the Potter League events. She is ‘owned’ by two Springer spaniels.

Kissel is also a former board member. She and her family started a garden at the shelter that provides lettuce, carrots and other assorted treats for the rabbits and gerbils (not to mention hungry volunteers). They also run a foster home for Potter kittens and work to make summer fundraising events successful. She and dog Homer are graduates of Potter's Puppy II obedience classes.

Odegaard, of Portsmouth, has served as a Navy Judge Advocate General officer. She and her husband share their home with two wonderful dogs.