Meet Kaylyn Myers: HHR's New Executive Director
HavaHeart Rescue is excited to welcome Kaylyn Myers as our new Executive Director. What began as a volunteer opportunity quickly became a calling, and today Kaylyn brings years of rescue, fostering, training, and animal welfare experience to help lead HavaHeart into its next chapter.
A few years ago, I started at
Havaheart Rescue as a foster and volunteer, never imagining how much it would shape my future.
For as long as I can remember, dogs have been at the center of my life. Every opportunity I've pursued throughout my career has been driven by one goal: helping dogs live happier lives and strengthening the bond between dogs and the people who love them.
Rescue isn't simply what I do—it's who I am.
Over the years, I've had the privilege of fostering more than 100 dogs of every breed, age, size, and temperament. From newborn puppies to senior dogs, from confident companions to dogs recovering from neglect, fear, or trauma, every foster has reinforced the same lesson: every dog is an individual. Each one deserves patience, compassion, and the opportunity to be understood.
Kaylyn's Experience
Throughout my career, I've worked with dogs facing behavioral challenges and have developed a deep appreciation for breed-specific traits. Understanding why a dog behaves the way it does is essential to setting both the dog and their future family up for success. Rather than trying to change who a dog is, I believe in finding the right match where they can truly thrive.
Throughout my work, I've gained extensive experience with behavioral cases. Some of the dogs I've worked with have required extra patience, structure, and understanding to help them succeed.
I've learned that behavior isn't simply about obedience—it's communication. When we take the time to understand what a dog is telling us, we're far more likely to help them succeed.
My professional experience has allowed me to see animal welfare from several different perspectives. Working in low-cost veterinary clinics gave me a firsthand understanding of the challenges many families face when providing care for their pets. I met wonderful owners who loved their dogs deeply but simply needed access to affordable veterinary services and compassionate support. These experiences strengthened my belief that helping families keep their pets is one of the most powerful forms of rescue.
I've also worked as a dog trainer, focusing on helping families better understand their dogs and work through behavioral challenges. While not every situation can or should be resolved, I've always believed that surrender should never be the first option when education, training, and support can preserve a loving home. Keeping dogs with the families who already love them—whenever it's safe and appropriate—is one of the most meaningful ways we can reduce the number of animals entering shelters.
Kaylyn Myers Comes to HavaHeart Rescue
I started by opening my home to dogs who needed a safe place to land and volunteering wherever help was needed. As time went on, I found myself drawn to some of our more challenging behavioral cases, working to help dogs who needed a little extra patience, understanding, and advocacy.
Those experiences deepened my connection to Havaheart’s mission and eventually led to the opportunity to join the organization as Intake and Building Manager.
Every day, we work to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs while supporting the people who make those second chances possible.
Having experienced Havaheart from the perspective of a foster, volunteer, and staff member has given me a unique appreciation for every person who plays a role in rescue. I understand the dedication it takes at every level, and I'm incredibly grateful to continue serving this organization that has become such an important part of my life.
Kaylyn's Philosophy
My vision for Havaheart Rescue is about more than finding homes for dogs. I want our organization to be a resource for our community. I believe rescue begins long before a dog enters our program and continues long after an adoption is finalized. Through education, outreach, affordable resources, responsible training, and compassionate support, we can help more families stay together and ensure every adoption has the greatest chance of lasting a lifetime.
Success is not measured simply by the number of adoptions we complete—it's measured by the quality of those matches and the lifelong relationships that follow.
I also believe rescue should be thoughtful, ethical, and centered on each dog's individual needs. Every dog deserves to be placed in a home where they are understood, respected, and loved for who they are.
Kaylyn's Philosophy in Action
One dog who perfectly embodies my philosophy is my own rescue, George.
George came into my life after I rescued him from a rural pound, where his future was uncertain. Today, he is a registered therapy dog who spends his time bringing comfort, smiles, and companionship to others. Watching George's transformation has been one of the greatest joys of my life and serves as a daily reminder that a dog's past does not determine their future. When I'm not working, you'll usually find me spending my days off with George.
Given patience, consistency, and love, dogs are capable of remarkable things.
Whether we're exploring new places, enjoying quiet time together, or visiting others through his therapy work, he's my constant companion and a reminder of why this work matters so much. Like so many rescue dogs, George has taught me as much as I've ever taught him. He reminds me every day that second chances can change lives—not only for dogs, but for the people lucky enough to love them.
Our Future Together
As I begin this new chapter with Havaheart, I'm excited to work alongside our dedicated volunteers, fosters, adopters, veterinary partners, donors, and supporters. While one person can change the life of a single dog, rescue is never accomplished by one person alone. It takes an entire community of compassionate people who believe that every dog deserves a chance.
Thank you for welcoming me into the HavaHeart family. I look forward to getting to know each of you, celebrating success stories together, facing challenges as a team, and continuing to build an organization that makes a meaningful difference for dogs and the people who love them.
Please join us in welcoming Kaylyn Myers as she leads HavaHeart Rescue into its next chapter. Whether you're looking to adopt, foster, volunteer, or simply follow along, we'd love to have you as part of our community. Together, we can give more dogs the second chance they deserve. We hope you'll become a member of our community, too, by applying to foster or adopt one of our truly deserving, loving dogs.
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