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Our Team
MARS is a volunteer driven organization. Our volunteers and foster homes are the heart and soul of MARS! The MARS Community is amazing and in our 17 year history, together we have saved over 21,000 lives! In our continued efforts to improve companion animal care and rescue, we have a small but dedicated staff that supports the needs of our volunteers and the animals that our whole community cares for.
Shout out: Thank you John Zilka Photography for making these photos fabulous for us!! Visit his Instagram page!
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Amy Swenson - Executive Director
Amy is a native of Minneapolis, an alumnus of Saint Cloud State University and a Certified Dog Trainer specializing in Shelter and Rescue Canines. While working in various corporate and legal settings she has always had a passion for dogs and training,especially the German Shepherd. Over a decade ago she decided to leave the confines of corporate work and make her passion her full time work. Having been with MARS since its conception she has been paramount in creating the foundation that MARS stands on today.
When not at MARS, Amy enjoys time with her family, especially her adult children, Amanda and Erik as well as her furry family members Reese, Petey, Opie, and Grand-dogs Quila and Penelope.
Click here to visit Amy's Facebook page.
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Amanda Allen, CVT - Director of Operations & Medical Manager
Amanda is a native of Minneapolis and being raised in a canine centric home, has spent her life to the betterment of animal lives. She is passionate about responsible animal ownership and ensuring the community is educated about resources available to help them meet the medical needs of their animals. She brings this passion to her daily work.
When not at MARS Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband, family and her furry family Quila and Penelope. She is also an avid console gamer and enjoys relaxing with her favorite games.
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Ashley Thompson, DVM - Veterinarian
She hails from Minneapolis where she lives with her husband, two cats (Simba and Peach), senior Bulldog Mix (Leroy) and the occasional foster cat. She joined the MARS team in late 2021 and enjoys mixing the fast-paced problem-solving of rescue medicine and long-term planning with clients and their furry best friends. She has a soft spot for senior pets and loves to discuss options to help fit their unique needs. Heartworm treatment has become a passion and seeing the transformation a dental cleaning can make is one of her favorite parts of the job.
When not at the clinic she is probably at home snuggling with her own animals, spending time with family, or traveling.
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Camille Bates - Finance, Marketing & HR Director
Camille has spent her life surrounded by everything the Twin Cities has to offer and has a strong passion for integrating our furry family members into our daily lives. Growing up, Camille was immersed in rescue and dedicated her spare time to volunteering. Motivated to be a force for change, Camille graduated top of her college class at 18. She has had a strong heart and passion for the betterment of animals since a young age and actively pursued those passions. She has focused her goals in life to make a difference in the lives of animals.
When not at MARS, Camille enjoys spending time with family, friends, and taking her dogs out and about with her. She also enjoys cooking, hiking and photography.
Click here to visit Camille's Facebook page.
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Joe Cocozzello - Community Relations; Event Coordinator
Joe is a lover of all creatures. He believes that each of us has a role to play in ensuring a better world for animals, whether it's through education, activism, or simply showing kindness in our daily lives. By advocating for their rights and welfare, he hopes to contribute to a future where all animals are treated with the respect and care they deserve.
After three foster dogs, Joe foster failed with his best friend Momo. She enjoys long walks on the beach, too many snacks and cuddling on the couch with her dad watching old tv.
When not at MARS, Joe is an avid pickleball player, golfer and actor, cheering on his favorite Minnesota sports teams, or you can find him on his sailboat listening to NPR podcasts.
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Isabella Bates - Development & Community Coordinator
Isabella is a MN native and has been surrounded by all things rescue her entire life. She has a love for animals and her passion is to make a difference in this world one pet, or person at a time, piece by piece. Her favorite thing about working with MARS is connecting with people and helping to make the lives with their pets as enjoyable as possible, while also helping those who cannot speak for themselves needing rescue placement.
When not at MARS, Isabella enjoys cooking, hanging out with her dog Suri, and playing video games.
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Liz B. - Placement Team Lead
Liz has had a passion for animals since the time when she was young. She grew up on a farm in Southern Missouri with cows, rabbits, chickens, ducks, pigs, horses, goats and of course…cats and dogs! In her Junior High year, she moved to MN, made it her home and built a life here.
In April 2015, Liz joined our MARS Vet team as our clinic’s receptionist. She quickly learned the clinic ins and outs and became a Vet Assistant. In 2019, she shifted gears to join our Placement Team as lead.
Her favorite part of working in rescue is watching scared animals who were once lost, left behind and forgotten become the happiest of family pets! Adoption updates are the best!
When Liz isn’t at MARS, she loves to spend time with her husband and family. She loves snuggling with her 2 boys, and 2 cats, Tigg and Boudicca. She also loves to grill, cook, and read books.
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LeAnn L. - Database Management
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Julie P. - Administrative Assistant
Julie has always had a huge love for animals! In 2015, she started volunteering for MARS after finding extra time on her hands. In the Summer of 2017, the MARS’ vet clinic was looking for a vet assistant position. Julie applied, and shortly after, joined our Vet Team! She did everything from checking patients in, to filling prescriptions, to answering the phone.
In 2019, Julie moved to our Placement Team as MARS’ Administrative Assistant. She’s met so many amazing animals in her time with us and loves it! She especially enjoys fostering and working with her behavioral foster dogs.
In Julie’s spare time, she enjoys going to the movies, eating out, binging Netflix and going to her Mom’s lake home.
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Bennett B. - Lead Trainer
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Danika T., CVT
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Robin L. - Vet Assistant
Robin has worked with MARS for many, many years. It's no surprise because she's had a love for animals since she was just a young kid! Her dog, Gypsy (photo'd), is her life. She loves to hang out with Gypsy reading books, watching movies and just simply doing life together. As often as Robin is able, she helps rescue wildlife too! She loves to make people laugh and feel good...and she's very good at it! Her ultimate dream is to travel to New Orleans and see how the ropes of rescue work in the South as well. |
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In Loving Memory & In Her Legacy...
Susan Bates - Executive Director
Susan was a native of Brooklyn Center MN and an alumnus of the University of Northwestern in Roseville MN. She saw a need in the animal welfare industry and had a vision to combine practical business concepts with the passion and love of animals. She and her business partner created a hybrid business model which proved successful very quickly. Under her leadership, MARS had quickly become one of the largest organizations of it's kind in the Midwest and continues to expand it's services through forward thinking innovation. Additionally she assisted in non-profit consulting and serving on other non-profit organizations boards.
When not at MARS, Susan enjoyed spending time with her daughters, Isabella & Camille, and their furry family members. She enjoyed trying new restaurants and cooking the latest in culinary delights with fresh ingredients from farmer’s markets and her own garden. She also enjoyed online gaming with her daughter.
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