New Beginnings

Dog rescue is Jennifer’s lifelong passion and calling. Her journey began as a volunteer at one of the largest no-kill shelters in Kansas City, where she adopted her first two English Setters, Humphrey and Riley. That early experience sparked a deep connection with the breed and a commitment to helping dogs in need.

After relocating to upstate New York, Jennifer joined an English Setter rescue organization, where she served on the board for over a decade. During her tenure, she launched the International Rescue Program, driven by a growing awareness of the dire circumstances facing Sporting Dogs in countries around the Mediterranean and beyond. Witnessing the incredible dedication of rescuers working in areas with limited resources, Jennifer was determined to create a broader support system for these dogs.

That vision led to the founding of New Beginnings International Sporting Dog Rescue, built on the belief that every dog deserves a chance—regardless of where they’re born. As one of the organization’s founders, Jennifer played a central role in assembling a team of passionate, experienced advocates who are committed to saving lives and building connections across borders.

She shares her life with her partner, Jason, and their beloved "United Nations" pack of rescue dogs: Turkish Setters Henna and Gueneviere; Greek Setters Sozo and Dias; Serbian Setter Sara; and four U.S.-born pups—Disco, Casey, Noelle, and Luna Belle.

Sue brings over a decade of hands-on experience in dog rescue, fueled by a lifelong love of the setter breed. Growing up in a family that has cherished setters for over 40 years, her passion for animal welfare deepened when she and her husband, Blake, adopted their first setter, Sage, shortly after getting married in 2001. Sage quickly became a beloved member of their growing family, welcoming both of their children and igniting a lifelong commitment to rescue work.

Her journey into rescue began more than 10 years ago, starting with transport work for various setter rescue groups. In 2017, she and her family escorted two Jindo mixes from South Korea—an experience that marked the start of their involvement in international rescue. A pivotal moment came in 2019 with her first airport run and temporary fostering for a Greek rescue, which led to fostering and eventually adopting Josie Zeya, a setter mix from Turkey, in 2020. That same year, the family officially became a foster home for dogs from around the world.

Since 2021, Sue has been actively involved in international escort trips, helping dogs make their journey to safety and new homes. She joined New Beginnings International in fall 2024 as Vice President and Fundraising Lead, bringing energy, vision, and a deep personal connection to the mission.

She lives with her husband, two teenage children, and their rescue dogs Jasper (the self-appointed foster sheriff) and Josie (the house manager), and they’re rarely without a foster pup in the home.

Richard’s journey into international dog rescue began with a life-changing adoption. In 2014, he and his husband, Chris, welcomed their first English Setter into their home. Nearly a decade later, in early 2023, they adopted their first Greek Setter, Nick—a decision that would connect them to a broader world of rescue and advocacy.

Through Nick’s adoption, Richard learned about the challenging conditions for Sporting Dogs in Greece and felt compelled to help. He began volunteering as a flight escort, bringing rescued setters from Greece to their new lives in the United States. On his very first trip, Richard met and transported Artie—one of the dogs who would ultimately become a beloved member of his own family.

Since then, Richard has remained deeply involved in rescue operations, continuing to escort dogs internationally and stepping into the vital role of transport coordinator, ensuring that each dog’s journey home—whether to a foster or forever family—is smooth, safe, and well-supported.

He joined the board of New Beginnings International in 2024 as Secretary and Transport Coordinator, bringing his passion, organization, and hands-on experience to the team. Richard and Chris currently share their home with three Greek Setters—Nick, Artie, and Olaf—who are daily reminders of the power of second chances and the joy of rescue.​

Leslie brings decades of nonprofit leadership experience to the board, with a background spanning animal rescue, youth sports, and education. Her strategic insight, passion for community service, and warm, approachable style have made her a valued contributor to every organization she serves.

Her journey into international dog rescue began with the adoption of Phoebe from Greece and Opal from Turkey—two experiences that opened her heart to the mission of saving Sporting Dogs from regions where their futures are uncertain. Leslie quickly became a dedicated volunteer, often greeting arriving dogs at the Detroit airport and helping them take their first steps toward a new life—a role she calls one of her greatest joys.

Outside of rescue, Leslie is an active leader in the field hockey community, where she has volunteered for many years. She shares her Michigan home with her 3 dogs and her property with her daughter, 1 dog, 2 horses and 4 goats.

Judith’s rescue journey began with a desire to gain experience before adopting a dog of her own—and quickly grew into a deep, lifelong passion. She started volunteering at PAWS, a rescue shelter in State College, PA, where she met Charlie, an Irish Setter who stole her heart and sparked a love for the breed. Although she wasn’t able to adopt Charlie, that connection led her to begin transporting setters for rescue groups, then fostering, and eventually adopting her first English Setter, Beli.

As Judith became more involved in the rescue world, her role expanded to include application screening, home visits, administrative support, and continued fostering and transporting. She has also traveled to Greece to assist with rescue efforts firsthand and looks forward to many more trips in the future.

Judith joined the board of New Beginnings International Sporting Dog Rescue to help build and strengthen the application and adoption process, bringing her experience from multiple established rescues to create efficient, compassionate systems. Her background in administrative support and rescue logistics makes her a vital part of the team’s operational success.

She shares her home with two beloved rescue dogs: Beli, an English Setter from Serbia, and Russell, a Brittany from Turkey—living proof of the international mission she works so hard to support.

Jacquie’s journey with dogs—and especially setters—has come full circle. Her very first setter, a big bench-style English Setter, was a graduation gift from her husband when she finished nursing school. Decades later, her most recent foster fail was a retirement gift from him—marking a lifelong devotion to rescue, care, and the special bond between humans and dogs.

After fostering for another rescue for two years, Jacquie saw a rare opportunity to foster an international setter arriving at LAX in 2019. While her first foster wasn’t the right fit, her second was—and she was hooked. Since then, she’s become an integral part of the rescue community, fostering many dogs and only “failing” twice along the way. The more she fostered, the more deeply she became involved, eventually volunteering on a rescue trip to Greece in 2022. She continues to travel there as often as possible to support rescuers and dogs on the ground.

Jacquie joined the board of New Beginnings International Sporting Dog Rescue to help shape the future of a mission she lives every day. She brings compassion, nursing experience, and firsthand knowledge of the international rescue process to her role.

She shares her California home with her husband and beloved dogs: Lilo, a Golden mix therapy dog rescued from a shelter in 2012, Olli, a Border Collie/Golden mix and agility enthusiast adopted in 2017, Sulley, a Turkish Setter and 2021 foster fail, and Luca, a Greek Setter and 2023 foster fail.

Jacquie’s home is full of love, purpose, and the joyful chaos of rescue life—just the way she likes it.