Jessica Reilly

VETERINARIAN TECHNICIAN MANAGER

I am Jessica Reilly. I grew up in West Charleston , Vt, daughter of Owen and Carol Reilly. I attended North country Union High School and was enrolled in health careers, which I shadowed a local Veterinarian . This helped me decide what I wanted to do in life. At a very young age, I had a connection with animals. I had several dogs and cats growing up. I always would always spend all my free time connecting with them. In 1998, I began the Veterinarian technician program at Vermont Technical College in Randolph, Vt. Upon completion, I moved on to a full time position at Derby Pond Animal Hospital. This Animal hospital was a mixed animal hospital that I worked at for 20 years. I gained many clients over the years and life- long friends and colleagues . In 2018, when my boss passed away and there was new ownership , I then transferred over to The Animal Doctor in Newport Center, Vermont. I worked as Vet Tech for Dr. Selina Hunter for 5 years. This was a great place to work and I gained many more life-long friendships. I always had a passion for surgery . I assisted many over the last 25 years. In the spring, I then was offered a position at The North Country Hospital where I learned the role of a "surg tech". I missed my animals while working there and just wasn't for me. In late summer, I was approached by the shelter to fill the manager position. I began here at Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter in mid - September. I am the first vet tech manager ever hired here. We can now do lots of things "in house", which is nice and helps save money because we are a non-profit organization. It is very rewarding here, the animals are always so grateful to have us here loving on them daily. I have a daughter Lily ,who is 17 years old and shares equally the love of animals. I have a wonderful fiancé and life partner, Travis, who we live together in Derby, Vt. We have 3 dogs. Lacey Lou is a 11 year old black golden doodle who would steal anyone's heart. Brooklyn Rose is a 4 year old doodle who is half human. She enjoys keeping us all on our toes. We then adopted "Genie the weenie" from a shelter in Arkansas, before I began here at PMFAS. These 3 dogs are our family's whole life! I continue to help animals daily and show my love for them and would not trade this for anything!

Mary Kate

STAFF MEMBER/VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Mary Kate grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pa. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Temple University and taught First Grade for many years prior to moving to Vermont in 2010. While substitute teaching and volunteering at various community organizations, she began her involvement with PMFAS in 2011 as a volunteer. Seeing how each animal came to the shelter with a different background and a unique set of circumstances, Mary Kate began to see that her training as a teacher carried over to her work with shelter animals. “Meeting individual needs is what it’s all about for animals and people alike”, states Mary Kate. She was inspired to play a bigger role in the adoption process, and officially joined our staff in 2014. She especially enjoys helping to make successful matches and giving these animals that second chance at a new life. She shares, “Every day they remind us why we do what we do and why we must never give up. We’re transforming their lives and helping to make families, and I simply love being part of that journey.”



Mary Kate shares her home with five rescue cats (two from PMFAS) and her dog, Gordon, also from PMFAS. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and doing anything outside, especially going for walks with Gordon and gardening.

Nathan Lucier

DOG ATTENDANT - STAFF

My name is Nathan, or Nate, and I am a 31 year old lifetime Vermonter. I grew up in Barre VT, and also spent some of my younger years in Jay VT. I always grew up around and loving animals of all kinds, especially dogs. I never remember going any time without a dog of my own by my side. During my time attending Lyndon State College I started doing Personal Care work, and I have continued since then, off and on. I have worked with numerous clients over the years, but currently I am only working with my good buddy Michel. After a couple of years bringing Mike to the shelter to volunteer working with the cats, I was hired on to start working with the dogs of the shelter. Nearing almost a year now of working for Pope Memorial, I have only enjoyed my time working with the pups more and more. We have a very caring, competent, and knowledgeable crew right now, which makes days flow by that much easier. Our goal is to always match up our dogs with the best homes possible, but while they are staying with us I will always do my part to make sure they are always as loved, safe, comfortable, and healthy as possible. Come on in, see our pups, and say hey!

Mary Lovegrove

DOG & CAT ATTENDANT - STAFF

Mary is a big animal lover who grew up here in Northern Vermont, surrounded by all creatures big and small. She’s always had a particular interest in dogs, having spent years learning about and taking care of them. Mary has a special appreciation for all types of high energy working breeds (sled dogs being her favorite). She also enjoys spending her time befriending the many cats here at the shelter. When Mary started working at PMFAS, she was overjoyed to do her part helping animals that need a welcoming place to come before finding their forever homes. She has a special fondness for the oddballs, falling in love with the runts of the litter or the spitfires with unique physical or behavioral traits. 

Mary is out of school for right now, having attended college for 3 years studying Visual Art. If there’s anything she enjoys as much as spending time with a friendly critter, it’s drawing them! On top of that, she’s a musician, comic book fan, and a film geek. Mary currently shares her home with her two rescue cats Matilda and Foster, her goofy black lab called Mabel, and the very special Jack; a heeler mix in which she bonded with here at the shelter!

Margaret George

DOG & CAT ATTENDANT - STAFF

Margaret grew up in New England with cats and dogs her whole life! Her love of nature, animals, and the outdoors can be credited to both of her parents; her mother Joanne, an avid gardener and her late father Jeffrey, a true outdoorsman. Margaret studied Applied Psychology and Human Services at Lyndon State College and graduated in 2013. In 2016, she received her Masters Degree from University of Massachusetts Lowell in Criminology and Justice Studies. After working in Washington, DC for five years and the death of her father, Margaret returned to the Northeast Kingdom to be closer to her family and to focus on what makes her happy! 

This is when her love and passion for animals became her focus in life! Before she found herself at Pope Memorial Frontier she worked in various roles including at a doggie daycare and boarding facility, at a traveling vaccination clinic for cats and dogs, an animal hospital specializing in ACL repair surgeries, and as a travelling pet sitter throughout New England. In addition to loving cats and dogs, Margaret also has a deep passion for wildlife conservation. She has volunteered with the Buffalo Field Campaign in Montana, the Rainforest Awareness Rescue and Education Center in Iquitos, Peru and Greater Kuduland Safaris' anti-poaching program in Limpopo, South Africa. She has worked with American bison, ocelot, tapir, woolly monkeys, three toed sloth, river manatees, and black and white rhinos. 

Margaret lives with her English Setter dog Jess, a retired bird hunting dog, a dilute calico cat Doodle (from PMFAS), a sweet orange kitty called Teddy Toes (also from PMFAS), and a tricolor American guinea pig named Francis. In her freetime, Margaret enjoys spending time with her family, watching anything true crime related with her best friend Erica, traveling to new places, and going to shows and concerts. 

(Photo: Margaret and her friend Erin's dog Stormy)

Rylie Taylor

DOG ATTENDANT - STAFF

Hi my name is Rylie. I am 18 years old and have lived in Vermont for my whole life. I attended a local middle school and Lyndon Institute for high school. Ever since I could walk and talk I was a diehard dog person, always having a dog growing up grew my love for them tremendously. I knew one day that the animal world is where I want to be and grow this life. Throughout my years at Lyndon Institute I did multiple internships at East Haven Veterinary which expanded my knowledge for dogs and cats greatly. I sat in on tons of appointments, surgeries and loose end things. I did this for about two years before I landed my first job in the dog world at Off The Beaten Trail in Newark VT. Here I work with all sorts of dogs. For about a year I strictly worked with the boarding dogs until I realized that daycare is where I want to be. Working at Off The Beaten Trail has allowed me to learn so much about dog behaviors, dog signs, different types of dogs, how dogs react with one another and so much more. I have grown a very healthy relationship with most dogs that come into the facility which allows the dog to feel comfortable during its time there. I truly have never loved a place of work more than I do there.

All throughout my time there I have observed and been apart of puppy classes, leash training sessions, muzzle training sessions, calm canine courses 1 and 2 and personalized training lessons as well. The kennel has provided me to also grow a relationship with the people which started my housesitting journey. I have travelled around for years house sitting for different dogs and absolutely love it. Once I turned 16 l got my very own first dog. I got Ellie Mae as a puppy and we've been through all the training courses together. Ellie now comes to work with me daily and she is such a blessing. I now live in a home with her and my 6 year old yellow lab who we rescued when he was 1 from an older couple named Marley. When I got offered a job here at Pope I was ecstatic because I wanted to help dogs. Not just watch then play in a daycare/ boarding situation. I am beyond eager to help these dogs in our care in anyway that I can. Here at pope I will be focusing on basic obedience for dogs and socializing them. I am very excited to help the dogs grow their skills and help out a very good cause. Come see these pups and lets get them homes they wholeheartedly deserve!

Lily Beauvais

DOG & CAT ATTENDANT - STAFF

Hi my name is Lily! I’m a senior in high school doing early college, studying health sciences while also working at North Country Hospital. I’ve always been passionate about both human and animal health. I graduated from an animal science program and was an active member of FFA, where I was part of a team that won the Vermont Envirothon, a competition focused on natural resource conservation. FFA gave me hands-on experience with animals and strengthened my interest in science and medicine. I also volunteer at a farm, where I’ve gained additional experience working with livestock and even practiced artificial insemination.

Growing up in a vet clinic, thanks to my mom being a veterinary technician, I was surrounded by animals from a young age. This early exposure fueled my love for animal care and gave me invaluable knowledge about veterinary medicine. My dog, Genie, is a huge part of my life, and my love for dogs only continues to grow.

Balancing school, work, and my passion for learning keeps me busy, but I love every part of the journey. Whether I’m studying the human body, working in healthcare, or spending time with animals, I’m always looking for ways to expand my knowledge and experiences.