Board of Directors
Viive Tamm Co-Chair
Since 1980, Viive has owned and managed a number of companies, including Graffiti Magazine, an international award-winning music/lifestyle publication. For twelve years, Viive was on Canada’s “Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs” list. As a founder of Tamm Communications, she stewarded this Toronto-based advertising agency onto Canada’s coveted “Top 100 Employers” list ~ the first advertising agency to ever receive this honour. Viive is a partner in The Oshawa Markets, Canada’s largest indoor flea market, which moved and was previously The Pickering Markets. Having served on several boards, Viive was the Chair of Operation Migration about which the movie Fly Away Home was based.
Serving as Board Chair since 2008, Viive has spearheaded a number of initiatives that have helped GR grow both geographically and in notoriety. She led a team to revamp GR’s rebranding, including the creation of the logo and website, redevelopment of the Guardian newsletter (now digital), and overseeing Golden Reflections, our anniversary coffee table book. Viive also instigated LCBO Tag Days, which was one of GR’s biggest awareness builders and fundraisers. In the past, she helped organize the golf tournament and car rally. She was instrumental in creating the Wishbone Lottery, which is currently our major fundraiser. Along with her fellow board members, she initiated the International Mission of Love, which has brought over 2,000 Goldens to our shores and to safety. This initiative, perhaps more than any one thing, created major media attention for GR, exploding the number of followers and supporters. Viive and her husband, Iain, have rescued four Goldens. Her current furkids, Kili #4171 (from Cairo) and Garci (a Golden wannabe rescued from Portugal), hang out by Viive’s desk providing her with daily humour and inspiration.
Jane Riddell Co-Chair
Jane came to Golden Rescue as a volunteer when she adopted Dylan #1124 in 2009. Dylan was a tripod who came to Golden Rescue from a very bad situation. His early hard life took a toll on him both physically and emotionally. He bit his first two foster families and was basically on his last strike when Jane adopted him. Jane would later say that he really rescued her. Over time and with much love and patience on both sides, Dylan became a Golden who could be trusted in any situation. Jane says he opened her eyes to how many wonderful dogs are just waiting for second chances with loving forever families. And that is what motivated her to get involved with Golden Rescue and advocate for canine rescue everywhere.
Jane is a proud volunteer who served as the Chair of the Golden Rescue picnic for four years and has served on the board since 2012. She is currently the Co-Chair. She shares her home and her heart with three amazing Goldens ~ Aziza #3438, Scout 4030 and Daisy #2226 .
Patti Matheis Director of Golden Care
Patti’s passion for Golden Retrievers began a long time ago and has continued to grow as she has been the proud fur parent to six Goldens over the years. She has been a great supporter of Golden Rescue; her volunteering began on the hotline, helping wherever she could, she also gave her time to organizing actively the registration desk for our annual picnic. Eventually Patti joined the intake team and is currently Director of Golden Care, managing vet care, intakes, transportation and our Microchip base. Patti does evaluations, home visits, and transports. Patti is very active on the Facebook, Kijiji, shelter, and personal ads online response team.
Outside of GR, Patti and her husband stay busy running Matheis Financial Group where she is the Vice-Present of Human Resources. Their dog and cat friendly company which has been in business for 35 years. They both love to travel and spend time at their beloved cottage in the Kawartha Lakes with their Goldens Lucy #2757, and Atlas #2326 who came all the way from Istanbul.
Harry Matheis Director of Donations, Advisory and Planned Giving
Harry’s love for Golden Retrievers began over thirty years ago when he brought home Mandy, the runt of the litter, who lived a wonderful 17 years. This experience sparked a lifelong passion that led him to become a volunteer and member of the Golden Rescue team. Over the years, the Matheis family has loved and cared for six Golden Retrievers.
Together with his wife Patti, Harry conducts behavioral evaluations, home visits, and transports while providing ongoing support to the team—all for the benefit of these precious Goldens. Harry’s financial expertise offers additional support to Golden owners and adopters, providing guidance on questions ranging from general breed information to charitable donations and planned giving options.
Beyond their Golden Rescue work, Harry and Patti manage their dog and cat-friendly business, Matheis Financial Group, which has been operating for decades. They enjoy traveling and spending time at their Ché Evergreen cottage in the Kawartha Lakes with their beloved Goldens: redheaded Lucy (#2757) and Atlas (#2326), their world-traveling Flat-Coated Golden who came all the way from Istanbul.
Sharon Kelly Treasurer
Sharon was elected Treasurer in the fall of 2010. She retired from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit as the Director of Corporate Services. She is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario and has a B. A. and a Hons B. Comm from the University of Windsor. Sharon and her husband Gary became aware of Golden Rescue in 2009 when they adopted Max #1249 as a companion for Nellie when their other Golden, Morgan was diagnosed with cancer. They currently share their home with Missy #3105 and Poppy #3359, who were rescued from a shelter in Turkey. Sharon thinks that volunteering with GR continues to be very rewarding and the perfect rescue matches are the icing on the cake.
Kelly Blais Director of Social Media
Kelly’s work with Golden Rescue is in honour of her special pair, George #682 and Murphy #683. A life-long animal lover, Kelly dedicates much of her time to helping raise awareness about animal rights and advocacy. Kelly is the President & CEO at Media Street Productions in Windsor, Ontario, and in her 25+ years, has produced many award-winning television commercials and videos, both in the corporate and non-profit sectors. She is actively involved in her community, contributing much of her time and skill set to various non-profit and local organizations, as a board member, committee member and volunteer.
Kelly has been a volunteer with Golden Rescue since 2005. She oversees GR’s digital media platforms, helps with events, fundraising, home visits and transport. Her background in communications and her love of Goldens makes her a natural fit in her role on the Board. She is passionate about rescue and dedicated to helping Golden Rescue continue to build its brand and expand its reach throughout Canada and internationally. She believes that every Golden deserves a second chance and she is willing to do whatever it takes to help make that happen.
Dr. Patricia Lechten Director of Veterinary Affairs & Advisory Committee
Patty, a staunch Golden Rescue supporter, graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. After three years of practicing veterinary medicine in Las Vegas, Patty moved to Ontario. In 1989 she joined Allandale Veterinary Clinic as the only small animal veterinarian.
Today, Patty is the sole owner of Allandale Veterinary Hospital, a brand new, five-veterinarian, state-of-the-art veterinary hospital in Barrie. Patty serves on a number of boards, both veterinary and non-veterinary, loves Goldens, and has always been impressed with the dedication and care provide by Golden Rescue.
Julie Hendren Director of Education and Advocacy, Secretary and Picnic Chair
Julie fell in love with dogs after her husband brought home a Golden Retriever during their first year of marriage. Since then, she has developed a deep passion for both wild and domesticated animals and is committed to providing care and justice for all species. Her dedication has taken her around the world, where she has volunteered with elephants, turtles, lions, chimpanzees, coral species, and of course, her favourite — dogs.
Julie discovered Golden Rescue online and has proudly served on the Board of Directors since 2019. She and her husband share their home in Trent Lakes, Peterborough County, with three beloved Golden Retrievers: Jacey (#2529 from Turkey), Rudy (#3837 from Egypt), and Laila.
Julie teaches Geography and Civics at I.E. Weldon Secondary School in Lindsay, Ontario, where she also supervises the Green Advocates Team — a student-led social and environmental justice group — and supports the Model United Nations Team. She recognizes the importance of the social, environmental, and economic pillars of sustainability in ensuring a high quality of life for all species, including dogs. Julie is dedicated to advancing these pillars through her teaching and advocacy work.
She is deeply grateful for all that Golden Rescue has taught her and is passionate about helping the organization continue to rescue Golden Retrievers—both domestically and internationally—wherever the need exists. Julie is committed to always having a rescue dog in her life.
Ben Samann Director
Ben’s love for Goldens stems from a deep connection – his love of food, short attention span, and staring longingly at squirrels through the window. Luckily, he hasn’t figured out how to open doors or he’d never come back. He has been involved with Golden Rescue since falling in love with Maggie #1622, the adorable, epileptic weirdo, and has since adopted four more. He is the owner of Viamede Resort and Land’escapes and spends his days fishing, hiking, and sitting on the dock with his Goldens.
Yvonne Whalen Director of Events
Yvonne is recently retired after 33 years in education ~ 26 of those years as a Behaviour Consultant. Prior to retirement, Yvonne always said that when she retires her work, she would be dedicated to supporting dogs in need and she is very proud to be doing that for Golden Rescue ~ helping find safe homes for deserving pups by increasing public awareness through events. Yvonne has acted as an Event Coordinator for the past three years as well as doing home visits for the foster and placement teams and volunteering with the transport team.
Yvonne’s first Golden, Charlie, recently passed. He was a loving and nurturing boy for the two Golden rescues and foster he shared his home with. Moving forward, Yvonne will keep his legacy alive continuing to develop awareness of Golden Rescue as the Director of Events and also looks forward to exploring creative ways to educate and increase support.