Sharon Chestnutt – Manager and Groomer
Sharon joined Inavale in 2008 as a groomer and has since become the manager as well. With a life-long passion for animals, Sharon graduated from UBC with a BSC in Animal Science and has many years of experience in animal care. In her spare time, Sharon enjoys walking her two dogs, Jess and Roo, and caring for her small herd of angora goats.
Kennel Attendants
Marisa Thomas – Kennel Attendant Head
Marisa joined the Inavale family in 2018 and has really come to know each and every dog that walks through our doors. She grew up in northern California, but moved up to Oregon after graduating from UCLA with a BS in Biology. Marisa has grown up with dogs her entire life, and currently has 3 fur babbies who enjoy long walks and sunbathing in scenic Alsea. Her hobbies include puzzles and walking around town with her dogs.
Megan Porter – Kennel Attendant
Megan is an undergraduate at Oregon State University majoring in Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences with hopes to become a wildlife biologist. Megan loves dogs, and has been working with them for three years as a bather and caretaker. In her off time, Megan likes to hike and explore the mountains.
Melinda Myers – Kennel Attendant
A Washington native, Melinda found their way down to Oregon State University 7 years ago, where they hope to finish up their undergraduate studies this year. They look forward to working with animals both wild and domesticated for as long as they can. When they’re not at the kennel, Melinda’s usually home snuggling their cats, volunteering, or hiking one of the many gorgeous trails the Willamette Valley has to offer.
Nikki Jones – Kennel Attendant
Nikki began her career at a busy dog daycare near Los Angeles, California, where she worked at for 5 years. She moved up to Oregon to get away from the big city, and started volunteering with many local rescues. Nikki has spent the past couple of years rescuing animals (mainly dogs) from Los Angeles, Texas, and even Mexico; she would drive down, pick the animals up, and bring them back to Oregon. Nikki would rehabilitate and foster almost all the dogs rescued until they find their Furever-Home. She ended up adopting 4 dogs plus a cat during this time, and moved to Benton County. Nikki hopes to one day work with wild animals such as wolves, and to help rehabilitate wildlife to be returned back to their natural habitat. In her spare time, Nikki is usually taking her dogs out hiking, to the beach, making music, or volunteering her time at local animal rescues in Southern Oregon.
Renee Waldren – Kennel Attendant
Renee is a sophomore at Oregon State studying Animal Sciences. A Colorado native, Renee has found her passion for animal behavior while working at various shelters and rescues for many years.