3 Programs Revamped at Annual Meeting.

 

On March 11, 2024, we held our annual Board of Directors meeting (Ruidoso Library), during which we approved revised by-laws, and defined duties necessary to operate each of our low-cost spay-neuter, pet food bank, and rescue transport programs. Ron Hannan, treasurer, diagrammed all elements, and duties were assigned to board members, who are all local, hands on, and passionate about improving the quality of life for companion animals in New Mexico, and primarily, in Lincoln and Otero counties. It's wonderful having an all local, hands on Board of Directors, and we're looking for new committee members to help grow our impact and service areas! Contact us at AnimalVillageNM@gmail.com, to offer fundraising, grant writing, shoe drive collection and bagging, registration help at events, event planning,

and more. If YOU have a talent, we can use your help for animals in need! Email us at AnimalVillageNM.org to find out how you can help!

MEET THE DIRECTORS DESIGNING OUR FUTURE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President Lisa Yehle, Otero County, NM

After adopting ‘Pippi Longstockings’ from AnimalVillageNM, Lisa promised that when she retired, she’d volunteer for us- and boy, did she! Lisa took on our low-income spay-neuter registrations, and met pet owners at the White Sands Mall 3 days a week. Today, she is also the dedicated co-founder of 100% Otero, a non-profit determined to eliminate childhood trauma by helping families help children. Lisa Yehle is detail oriented, and a team player willing to make the hard decisions, and one who plays well with others. Lisa is also a speech-language pathologist, with a Master of Arts, and a Bachelor of Science in Education. She is also a volunteer for AFS Exchange Programs, and a court-appointed Special Advocate for children.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

Vice-President, Bequi Livingston

My name is Bequi (Becky) Livingston and I was a Wildland Firefighter and Wildland Fire Operations Health and Safety Specialist for 30+ years.  I became one of the few women in wildland firefighting in 1979, serving in a variety of wildland fire positions including becoming the first woman hired on the prestigious Smokey Bear Hotshot crew in 1988.  In 1995, after a 5-year hiatus to have my two children and help my husband operate our helicopter business (we met on a wildland fire in 1988 when I was a Hotshot and he was a Helicopter Pilot), I came back to the Forest Service on the leadership path, to include becoming the Assistant Fire Management Officer at the Sandia Ranger District, Lead Field Coordinator and Prescribed Fire Operations Specialist for the Southwest Fire Use Training Academy and became the first Regional Wildland Fire Operations Health and Safety Specialist in the US Forest Service, Southwest Regional Office in Albuquerque, NM, where I retired in August 2018. 

During my tenure with the Forest Service, I developed several programs, including:  Fireline Fitness, Comprehensive Wellbeing and Resiliency and the Women in Wildland Fire Boot Camp, zhelping young women become interested in wildland firefighting.  

I am also a former Elite Athlete and Fitness and Wellness Specialist, including being a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, Integrative Health Coach, Trauma Specialist, Trauma Safe Somatic Movement specialist, Registered Yoga Teacher and Mindfulness instructor.  I now spend my time coaching and teaching others about the rigors of traumatic stress, and how to heal.  All of this after being diagnosed with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress and Complicated Grief in 2016.  I also specialize in working with children who are dealing with stress and grief through my program, Calm Kids Camp. 

However, my biggest achievement and love of my life, has been becoming a mother of two amazing adult children and two adult step-children, all of which are first responders and a military combat veteran.  I am also a grandmother to an amazing 8-year-old granddaughter, and 4-year-old grandson, and pet owner of three cats.  I love to write, hike in the woods and help others heal from their trauma and grief.  ~Bequi Livingston

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

RON HANNAN, Treasurer for AnimalVillageNM

Ron is retired from a 30+ year career in natural resource management with the US Forest Service. Music and art are his main hobbies. Over the years, Ron has been a proud partner of eight rescue dogs, and at least five cats. Ron is also the appropriately proud parent of an amazing son, Jesse, and a long-time resident of Otero County,

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

DONNA LIND, Secretary for AnimalVillageNM

Born 1955 in Odessa, Texas. Oldest of 3 girls. Graduated from Odessa Permian in 1973. Attended South West Texas State University (now called Texas State). Met my husband to be, Kenneth Lind, there. Member for 50 years in Alpha Xi Delta Society. Graduated in 1976 with a degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. Kenneth and I married in 1979. We have a son, Nathan and a daughter, Elizabeth. I taught school for 32 years. We have a grandson, Logan, and a son-in-law, Luke. We have lived here in Ruidoso for 4 years. We are members of the Community Methodist Church. I am on the Board of the Imagination Station Day Care. Kenneth and I volunteer regularly at the Lincoln County Food Bank. We also are Election Officers for Lincoln County. We have a miniature Pinscher named Sadie and 2 house cats, Cici and Bootsie. I also have a domesticated feral outside cat named Baby Grey (who only likes me). I scrapbook, geocache, do needlework, and play Mahjong. Resident of Lincoln County.