Who We Are
Our Founder
Founded by Peggy Story in 2009, CareTX.org is a Dedicated Team of Pet Loving Rescuers.
No creature showers us with such unconditional love, full of trust and forgiveness as a rescue dog. I witness that love every day. I see it in the eyes of those who adopt rescues when they come face to face with their dog.
I see it reflected in the face of the dog who somehow knows that their human has arrived—at last! And it is inspiring. My own dogs inspire me every day to be my very best, and to always treat animals with the respect, dignity and love that they deserve.
Indeed, the love I felt for my dog, Cressie, inspired me to begin CareTX.org (Cressie Animal Refuge and Enrichment) a rescue and adoption agency."Ten years ago the euthanizing of smart, able dogs was not a part of my day-to-day awareness. Today it is!"
It is startling to realize that over one million dogs a year are euthanized in shelters across the U.S. That knowledge and experience has driven me to be part of a movement to enlighten everyone on the blessings of adopting a rescue dog.
Dogs bring joy and happiness to our lives, but rescuing a shelter dog is not always a cakewalk! It takes a very special person to take on the task of undoing the harm that has often been done to these innocent creatures.
But each and every rescuer tells me over and over again that the reward for their effort is priceless. I am grateful that I and CareTX.org have had the opportunity to be a part of bringing the perfect companion to so many families through my years in rescue.
Join As A Volunteer Today!
We always need pet lovers and volunteers!
Our Team Members
Adriane Russell
Office Manager
Originally from Reno, Nevada, Adriane spent over twenty five years in the auto repair industry, and moved to San Antonio in 2022. While she had always had rescue dogs, she realized that animal rescue was her passion and it was time to make that change. After learning about CARETX.org, she knew she wanted to be part of the amazing Care TX family.
Teresa Strizich
Lead Foster Warrior
Teresa has been involved with saving the lives of dogs for over six years. She specializes in some of the harder cases that need extra medical attention or more socialization. Teresa will foster multiple dogs at a time and provides transportation to and from the airport for those finding their forever home. She is a valuable team member who works with CareTX.org every day fulfilling the mission. During her involvement with CareTX.org, Teresa has fostered over 600 dogs.
Adriane Russell
Office Manager
Char Cushman
Lead Volunteer Transport Coordinator
Char has been working as a volunteer transporting dogs for CareTX.org for the last eight years. Many within the CareTX.org circle have relied upon her to get their foster dog to the vet’s office, or deliver their foster dog from the shelter. Char has driven thousands of miles to safely deliver dogs to their destinations. Without her dedication we would be unable to save as many lives as we do.
Advisory Board Members
Rita Hudson
Dog Gone Business Executive
Rita Hudson has been in the banking and finance industry for over 35 years, and 25 years with USAA. Not only does she sit as the chair of the CareTX.org advisory board, she’s been on the advisory board for over 5 years. She also is a member of the CareTX.org board of directors. She and her husband have a daughter and 4 grandchildren that share in their love of fostering dogs and satisfaction of helping save the lives of dogs in desperate need and inevitable euthanization.
Geoff Burbridge
Banking on Man's Best Friend
Geoff Burbridge joined the advisory board in 2019 after he and his family rescued their dog Buddy through CareTX.org. Geoff is the Vice President of Bank Contact Centers at USAA, and has called San Antonio home for 4 years. Originally from Michigan, Geoff attended Michigan State University before moving out West. Geoff has travelled extensively in his career, having worked in Asia and Latin America, and has been married for 11 years. Throughout his travels, he has seen the plight that homeless animals face around the world, and the important role that animal rescues play in making their lives better. After learning first-hand what CareTX.org does by attending its annual Gala, he knew he wanted to do more.
Amanda Palluch
Recovering Dog Addict
Amanda Palluch joined the CareTX.org advisory board in January of 2018. She is married with two children and she and her husband own the Children’s Lighthouse Learning Center at Two Creeks. She came upon CareTX.org through a friend and fellow animal lover, and initially became involved with CareTX.org’s foster program just over a year ago. As she learned more about the organization and the amazing things they do she quickly realized she wanted to do more to help make an impact.
Alejandro Gandara
Dog Financial Advisor
Alejandro Gandara joined the advisory CareTX.org board in 2019 after his wife Alison Gandara, who also works with CareTX.org, introduced him to the organization and its mission.
Alejandro is an advisor at the boutique management consulting Integris Applied. While at Integris Alejandro has led their Finance practice, leading the financial aspect of client engagements as direct counterpart to the client CFO and internally heading product development and standard practices. From industrial manufacturers to large government agencies, his wide variety of clients has given him a perspective that brings depth to his work with CareTX.org.
Jessica Kozak
Dog Gone Business Executive
Jessica Kozak joined the CareTX.org advisory board in 2018 after she and her family rescued a CareTX.org dog. Jessica is the HR Director for H-E-B Digital and brings more than twenty years of professional experience to her role. Originally from New Jersey, Jessica attended Georgian Court University where she graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She went on to complete her Master’s Degree in Administration and Human Resources Management from Central Michigan University. Jessica has been married for 17 years, and is the mother of 3 teenagers. She is passionate about serving her community and in addition to her role on the advisory board of CareTX.org, she also leads a marriage ministry program in her parish, and directs her community’s summer swim team.
Bianca Maldonado
Dog Financial Advisor
South Texas Native, Bianca Maldonado recently joined the advisory board in 2020, but has been a CareTX.org supporter since 2015 when CareTX.org made her family’s first pet adoption possible. Bianca is a long-time employee of USAA with over 16 years of service as a 3rd Party Manager. Bianca stays very active and involved in her daughter’s high school sports activities and regularly volunteers with the Marshall Athletics Booster Club. She is passionate about continuing her education and is currently enrolled at the University of the Incarnate Word. With many years of supporting CareTX.org through fostering and volunteering, becoming a CareTX.org board member was yet another opportunity to expand her contribution to the organization.
Angela Speakman
Dog Financial Advisor
Angela Speakman has been a board member since 2015 and served as Board Chair in 2017 and 2018. She and her husband’s love of animals led them to CareTX.org much earlier as they started fostering with the organization in 2009. Many years later a big brown Lab named Mavis they were fostering stole their hearts and permanently joined the Speakman family. Angela has worked for Valero Services, Inc. since she moved to Texas in 2005. She is originally from Nanaimo, British Columbia which is located on beautiful Vancouver Island in Canada. She finds it amazing that several of her foster dogs have been adopted to forever homes in Canada and would like say a big “THANK YOU” to her fellow Canadians and to those across the US for helping our dogs in Texas.
