About Us
Friends of CITY DOGS Cleveland is a 501 (c)(3), volunteer run organization established in April 2020 with the mission of providing the animals taken in by Cleveland Animal Care and Control (CACC) with medical care and enrichment during their time at the kennel, preparing them for adoption into loving homes, and creating opportunities for potential adopters to get to know them as the great family members they were meant to be. Friends of CITY DOGS Cleveland is CACC’s primary fundraising partner. CACC is the exclusive beneficiary of the Friends’ fundraising efforts.
OUR MISSION
To provide financial assistance for the animals at Cleveland Animal Care and Control, which includes daily enrichment opportunities, medical care and supporting the CITY DOGS adoption and volunteer programs.
OUR VISION
Enriching, improving and advocating for the lives of Cleveland's homeless dogs as they navigate their journey to a better life.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Michelle deBock, President
Robert Heffner, Treasurer
Caitlyn DiFilippo, Secretary
About The Board
Michelle deBock President
Michelle deBock President
Michelle deBock President
Michelle deBock has been a teacher in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District for over 20 years. Looking for something to keep her busy during her summer break, she began volunteering with CITY DOGS in May of 2018. At the time, she had no idea how much she would fall in love with the dogs and how much this program would become a part of her life! When Michelle is not traveling or spending time with her own dogs, you can typically find her walking the dogs at Cleveland Animal Care and Control or taking them to one of the many parks in the Cleveland area for a day trip.
Robert Heffner Treasurer
Michelle deBock President
Michelle deBock President
I started out as a volunteer for City Dogs by walking dogs with my wife Beth. We then became more involved with events, transports, hikes, and run group. Working with the City Dogs group has changed our lives In many ways but most importantly with the addition of our very own City Dog, Gemma.
Carla Borchelt Secretary
Michelle deBock President
Carla Borchelt Secretary
A part of Carla’s heart has been with the Cleveland Kennel since 2011, when she initially became a volunteer. She walked dogs, provided enrichment and training, temperament testing, and conducted meet and greets with potential adopters. Carla and her partner welcomed many foster dogs into their home. One of them, Savannah Smiles, became a permanent resident in 2015. They adopted their second City Dog, Jordan Elliot in 2021. Carla’s advocacy of pit bull dogs began in 2009 when her puppy was a target of BSL in her city. The pinnacle of her advocacy work has been alongside her therapy dog, Valentina, a true ambassador for the pit bull breed. Carla shares her home with four pit bull mixes, Valentina, Sophie, Savannah, and Jordan.
Valerie Gesting Chair of Finance
Jennifer Mangino Co-Chair of Fundraising +Events
Jennifer Mangino Co-Chair of Fundraising +Events
Valerie is a CPA who recently retired with more than 30 years of audit, information security, and risk management experience in the financial services and retail sectors. She has a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Miami University and a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Cincinnati. Valerie has been a City Dogs vol
Valerie is a CPA who recently retired with more than 30 years of audit, information security, and risk management experience in the financial services and retail sectors. She has a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Miami University and a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Cincinnati. Valerie has been a City Dogs volunteer since July 2019 and enjoys bicycling, kayaking, baking and crafting for City Dogs, and collecting cookbooks. She lives with her husband, Dan, who is also a City Dogs volunteer, and her City Dog Scout.
Jennifer Mangino Co-Chair of Fundraising +Events
Jennifer Mangino Co-Chair of Fundraising +Events
Jennifer Mangino Co-Chair of Fundraising +Events
Jennifer has been volunteering with City Dogs Cleveland since 2017. She initially found City Dogs via the City Dogs runner program, while looking for a way to log some miles and get her dog fix. That quickly escalated to events, hikes, fundraising and lots of time behind the camera to capturing photographs or our adoptable pups.
Jennifer
Jennifer has been volunteering with City Dogs Cleveland since 2017. She initially found City Dogs via the City Dogs runner program, while looking for a way to log some miles and get her dog fix. That quickly escalated to events, hikes, fundraising and lots of time behind the camera to capturing photographs or our adoptable pups.
Jennifer holds a Master in Business and spends her days at Hyland Software, and is excited to leverage her business capabilities to help Friends of City Dogs Cleveland further our mission. Personally, any free time not dedicated to Friends of City Dogs Cleveland, is spent on the trails hiking, trail running or backpacking, taking in live music or taking photographs (or a combination!).
Jennifer resides in Ohio city with Norm the cat, who thinks he's a dog.
Jamie Marino Chair of Communications
Jennifer Mangino Co-Chair of Fundraising +Events
Jamie Marino Chair of Communications
Jamie started volunteering with CITY DOGS to give back to the shelter that helped bring her dogs, Lola Jane & Wilson, into her life. She started volunteering walking dogs and taking them on hikes. "The passion and grit of staff and volunteers at the kennel continues to blow me away. Friends is a small and mighty organization determined t
Jamie started volunteering with CITY DOGS to give back to the shelter that helped bring her dogs, Lola Jane & Wilson, into her life. She started volunteering walking dogs and taking them on hikes. "The passion and grit of staff and volunteers at the kennel continues to blow me away. Friends is a small and mighty organization determined to make this world a better place for the homeless dogs of Cleveland." Jamie is excited to have an opportunity to contribute to the FOCDC leadership team.
Shelby Brooks Chair of Marketing + Merchandising
Jennifer Shea Co-Chair of Marketing + Merchandising
Beth Heffner Chair of Fundraising + Events
My name is Shelby, I’m the Marketing/Merchandising Chair. Professionally, I graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelors in Health Sciences and a Masters in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. I am currently working as a Speech Language Pathologist at a local Rehabilitation Hospital. I have 6+ years experience in merch
My name is Shelby, I’m the Marketing/Merchandising Chair. Professionally, I graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelors in Health Sciences and a Masters in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. I am currently working as a Speech Language Pathologist at a local Rehabilitation Hospital. I have 6+ years experience in merchandising in retail stores in the Cleveland area. But first and foremost, I am a dog lover! I grew up with a house full of rescue dogs and cats, along with some exotic pets like parrots and hedgehogs. I have always been an animal lover through and through and was raised to treat animals with the utmost respect. In my graduate studies, I stumbled across City Dogs at an event and was immediately hooked. I started volunteering with City Dogs in June of 2017 and have found a major passion for these dogs. I dabble in a little bit of everything as a volunteer at City Dogs. I walk at the kennel, run dogs on the weekend, organize and participate in monthly hikes, take dogs on day trips and sleepovers, I’m an adoption counselor, and I provide a foster home for dogs who are struggling in the kennel environment. I love finding new ways to support the wonderful dogs that find themselves at CACC and am excited to take on this role with Friends of CITY DOGS Cleveland!
Beth Heffner Chair of Fundraising + Events
Jennifer Shea Co-Chair of Marketing + Merchandising
Beth Heffner Chair of Fundraising + Events
My volunteering journey with CITY DOGS Cleveland began in 2015 after reading a post on Facebook that the Cleveland Kennel needed dog walkers. What began as a way to get a few dogs out for some exercise has turned into something I could never have imagined. Walking dogs, coordinating, working events around town, running through the woods
My volunteering journey with CITY DOGS Cleveland began in 2015 after reading a post on Facebook that the Cleveland Kennel needed dog walkers. What began as a way to get a few dogs out for some exercise has turned into something I could never have imagined. Walking dogs, coordinating, working events around town, running through the woods in the middle of the night to raise awareness and money for the dogs, stuffing raffle baskets for fundraisers, and transporting our beloved CITY DOGS from Colorado to Maine in search of their forever homes. Volunteering has allowed me to meet and fall in love with so many Cleveland dogs...including my very own sweet rescued girl, Gemma.
Jennifer Shea Co-Chair of Marketing + Merchandising
Jennifer Shea Co-Chair of Marketing + Merchandising
Jennifer Shea Co-Chair of Marketing + Merchandising
Jennifer started volunteering with City Dogs in 2018 after seeing numerous posts for orientation sessions on social media. She has been an active volunteer ever since participating in walking, running, off-site adventures, crafting, and networking. Volunteering with City Dogs has allowed her to meet so many amazing pups as well as humans!
Jennifer started volunteering with City Dogs in 2018 after seeing numerous posts for orientation sessions on social media. She has been an active volunteer ever since participating in walking, running, off-site adventures, crafting, and networking. Volunteering with City Dogs has allowed her to meet so many amazing pups as well as humans! She is constantly in awe of her fellow volunteers who provide so much for these deserving dogs. Jennifer lives in Cleveland with her partner Lee, Tito & Max the cats, and City Dog Jasper.