Carol works in Leadership and Staff Development for Best Friends Animal Society. She has lived in the Ruby Valley near Sheridan with her husband, horses, dogs, cats, leopard gecko and chickens since 2005. She is excited to be a part of the shelter’s good work to support Southwest Montana’s adoptable pets and their people.
Michael grew up in Butte, Montana, and moved to Dillon in 1999 to attend college, he hasn’t left Beaverhead County since. His love for animals started early, inspired by his mother, who encouraged him to care for nearly any animal he wanted, and supported by his father, who instilled in him a strong work ethic and commitment to community. Michael was active in the Confederates 4-H Club and raised rabbits professionally through sanctioned American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) shows, breeding many different breeds to meet the ARBA standards of perfection. He also served as chair of the Butte-Silver Bow Fair Board for several years.
Michael currently serves as the Senior Director of Student Life at the University of Montana Western. Alongside his professional role, he has always had a special love for dogs and shares his home with four of them—Goose, Sophie, Tilly, and Ragzee. Beyond his work, Michael continues to embrace his passion for animals and community through volunteer efforts and local involvement. He is excited to serve on the board for the Beaverhead Animal Shelter and hopes to make a positive impact on the animals and the shelter.
Tom is a retired Chemical Engineer. He worked with Minerals Technologies Inc for 34 years. Over twenty years ago, he and his family moved back to Dillon. He has been impressed with the turnaround at the shelter. Having been around dogs his entire life, he feels that volunteering with the animal shelter would be a great fit.
Kristen was born and raised in the beautiful Ruby Valley. After graduating from The University of MT Western she continued to work on her parents’ cattle ranch, further pursuing a career in real-estate. She has a never-ending love for all animals and is happy to serve the community and surrounding areas’ pets and other animals
Brooke is an attorney specializing in water law. She and her husband settled in the Ruby Valley in 2024 to be closer to family. They share their home with two playful dogs, who often join in on their adventures. Brooke is excited to support the Beaverhead Animal Shelter, where she adopted one of her parents' beloved dogs nearly a decade ago, and is eager to help the shelter in its mission to find loving homes for more animals in southwest Montana.
Dr. Anika Ward is a mixed animal veterinarian with her private practice, Tobacco Root Vet, based right outside of Sheridan, MT. After graduating from vet school in 2017, she worked in several different locations, expanding her skills and knowledge base. Dr. Ward grew up in the Ruby Valley and was eager to move back to the place she calls home.
When not helping people and their animals, Dr. Ward can be found helping on the family ranch, riding her horse, or chasing her hounds through the mountains with her husband. She is thrilled to be a part of the Beaverhead Animal Shelter, as it mirrors what she does on a daily basis-helping animals.
Amanda is a teacher at Parkview Elementary. She and her family live in Melrose on the family’s cattle ranch. She spends her weekends helping out around the ranch and taking care of their family's two dogs. She and her husband have adopted three dogs from shelters, two of which came from the Beaverhead Animal Shelter. Amanda would love to be able to take all of the animals home with her but decided being on the board would be a great way to be a part of helping the animals and all of the wonderful work that is happening at the shelter.
