About Animal Protectors of the Verde Valley
Our Vision
We strive to foster a community that prioritizes the protection, care, and humane treatment of all animals. Through education, advocacy, networking, and collaboration, APVV empowers individuals and inspires collective action throughout the Verde Valley.
Meet Our Board
Get to know the three community advocates leading APVV—why they do this work, the animals who inspire them, and the pets and fosters who share their lives.
Our Priorities
Advocacy & Resources
Connecting residents with accessible animal-welfare information and practical resources for food, shelter, humane care, and veterinary needs.
Education & Community Outreach
Fostering compassion through public education, community events, informational resources, and future school outreach focused on responsible animal care.
Networking & Collaboration
Working alongside rescues, humane societies, public agencies, local farmers and ranchers, and community members to share information and respond to animals in need.
Get Involved
Meet Jeannie & Her Pets
Jeannie Nielsen — President
Jeannie Nielsen serves as President of Animal Protectors of the Verde Valley. She joined APVV to help change how animals are treated in the Verde Valley and to advocate for stronger, more accessible animal-care resources. Seeing an animal suffer—physically or emotionally—breaks her heart, and she is honored to help local families provide the care their pets deserve.
Jojo & Penny
Jeannie’s dogs are a constant reminder of why this work matters. Jojo is 7, and Penny is 13. Their companionship strengthens her commitment to compassion, responsible care, and a safer community for every animal in the Verde Valley.
Her Beloved Companions
Meet Rashawn & Her Pets
Rashawn Gilmer — Secretary
Rashawn Gilmer serves as Secretary of Animal Protectors of the Verde Valley and is a retired math teacher. She has fostered dogs on and off for about 20 years. After once having to leave an apartment because of breed restrictions, she bought her first home so she could freely rescue dogs from the streets and help place them in loving homes. Now in Camp Verde, Rashawn continues supporting animals across the Verde Valley in a new way through APVV.
Rashawn shares her home with Mango and Sadie, ages 10 and 14. Their companionship—and the many dogs she has fostered over the years—continue to inspire her commitment to animals that need additional care, attention, and advocacy throughout the region.
Her Beloved CompanionsMango & Sadie
Meet Marty & Her Pets
Marty Andrus — Treasurer
TreasurerMarty Andrus serves as Treasurer of Animal Protectors of the Verde Valley. For more than 25 years, she has fostered puppies and helped save over 200 lives. Her dogs, Tig and Tessa, are former fosters who became permanent members of her family. Marty believes saving animals takes the support of the entire community.
Bottle Babies & Foster Puppies
Marty specializes in caring for unweaned, bottle-fed puppies who are unable to nurse from their mothers. Her experience, patience, and hands-on care give these vulnerable puppies the chance to grow, recover, and find loving homes.
More Than 200 Lives Helped