Meet The Founder
​
Michelle has always had a passion for animals dating back to childhood. She was 'that kid' who brought home every orphaned animal she could trying to convince her parents to allow her to keep them. As an adult, the family vet knew that if there was an animal in need, Michelle was bringing it in. Her first BIG 'rescue' was a homeless, pregnant cat that was suffering from extreme neurological issues and was not able to stand, walk or eat on her own.
The goal was to keep momma cat safe and comfortable in order to give those babies in her belly a chance at life. Several healthy kittens resulted out of those efforts and were adopted out to loving homes. The 'Rescue Bug' had bit! Michelle has fostered many animals throughout the years, most notably representing Buckeye Bulldog Rescue. Today, she is part of a large network of rescue professionals that support one another's goals in saving animal lives.
In addition, Michelle is constantly expanding her knowledge through ODNR Division of Wildlife, completing classes focused on foxes in the wild to better assist those born in captivity. She is an officer on the Board of Directors for two other non profit organizations, volunteers her time to the Cleveland Society for Human Resource Management, and is an Enterprise Account Executive with Paylocity. Michelle is a single mother of 3 children and runs her own small homestead to complement the dietary requirements of the foxes. Her household is lively and energetic, constantly moving with activity surrounding the kids and animals.
Meet The Board Members
Vice President
Joanne Marston
Joanne started her interest in NPO groups when she started with Aramark at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, formally know as Gund Arena, then Quicken Loans Arena. NPO groups are a huge part of the staffing in large venues to help reach their funding needs. She has also been heavily involved in large events in the downtown area, the RNC, NBA All Star Games, NCAA Basketball & Wrestling, Rock Hall Induction Ceremony and the NFL Draft along with countless concerts.
​
Her love of foxes came by a different route than most, she is definitely a cat person. She had been scrolling through Facebook and came across a picture of Dutton that was posted asking for sponsors. The back story is her 8 year old cat had recently passed away suddenly and was found when she got home from work, curled up in his bed with his little fox stuffy named Dut-Dut. As they say – it was meant to be and the rest is history.
Secretary
Debbie Meyers Bittinger
Debbie is a remedial reading and math teacher. She works with organized chaos, quick to follow the tide if needed in the classroom and there is never a dull day in the teaching profession.
​
Debbie was a volunteer at the local SPCA as well as a volunteer animal transporter. She has 2 rescue animals that are showered with love. A dog named Hinkley who has anxiety from his prior life of abuse and a senior cat named Cash who was saved from death row in New York.
Exotic Veterinary Liaison
Emily Velez
Dr. Velez is originally from Florida where she discovered her love of foxes through
wildlife rehabilitation. She graduated from Colorado State University for her
undergraduate degree before attending Auburn University for her Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine. After veterinary school, she moved to Ohio for an exotics specialty internship
and residency before staying on as a full-time exotics doctor. This is where she met the
foxes at Fox Tale Sanctuary and has loved being their doctor since! Dr. Velez helps
keep the foxes healthy with preventative care including annual physical examinations,
vaccines, microchips, and spays/neuters. She also takes care of them when they are
sick and makes sure any new foxes are in good health before being cleared from
quarantine.
Officer / Interim Treasurer
Nancy Scholz
Nancy joins Fox Tale Sanctuary as a lifelong animal welfare advocate. After a 28-year career leading global corporate travel management programs and teams, Nancy now dedicates her time to supporting three Medina County nonprofit organizations, including two board positions.
Animals are Nancy’s passion and foxes her favorite animal. While daily fox and sanctuary care are her favorite volunteer duties; fox enrichment, expansion and grant research and writing will be among her primary goals.
Nancy resides in Olmsted Falls with her husband and five pets.
Legal Advisor
Kirstyn Frank
Kirstyn Frank is an attorney practicing in the Akron area and specializes in Criminal Defense, Domestic
Relations and Basic Estate Planning. She was born in New Jersey, her high school and college years
were spent in the Cincinnati/Dayton area, before earning her Law Degree at LSU.
One thing that has remained a constant during these moves has been her passion for animals,
volunteering at various animal shelters throughout Ohio and Louisiana. Currently, she has two very
spoiled fur babies of her own.
Kirstyn is well known for working under pressure and striving for just results. She is excited to join the
Board as our legal advisor and looking forward to helping FTS expand and flourish.