Karen Scherer is Founder and President of Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary.   The inspiration behind this facility is a little Chinese Pug named Mingus, who at the age of 11 years old passed away from a tragic accident. It is said that there always is a “special one” in our lives and Mingus was that one. He was diagnosed with diabetes at age 2 and I worked with my vet to learn everything there was to learn about the disease in animals. He didn’t die from this disease, but drown in my daughter’s pool while I was away on a trip. His death devastated me but it also changed my life’s path.   I worked in the hotel/hospitality Industry for 27 years and had raised my family. After attending a training seminar on "Finding Your Passion" and reading a book called "Finding Your Own North Star", I realized that the one thing I truly LOVED to do was care for and be around animals. So I started my pet sitting company, Loving Hands Pet Care, and began in home pet care for people with Senior and Special Needs animals.   I have devoted my whole life to the well being of my pets and knew that with the years of experience in dealing with them I could pass this knowledge onto pet owners everywhere. After getting the company established, the next logical step was the Sanctuary. Now, it is my passion and my life. There is no better satisfaction in this world than to help an animal with no voice. The Sanctuary is for the unadoptable and the throwaways that people no longer want or are unable to care for. Having these creatures come to the Sanctuary and watching them transform from scared and broken to happy and loving animals, is a reward I receive each day.   My little man "Mingus" has been my inspiration behind it all. I miss him and think about him every day and I know that he is watching over the Sanctuary and its residents, guiding me to make the right decisions for all that come to us.

Treasurer - Linda Smith I am retired, worked for many years as a Regional Purchasing Manager, for Chemical Lime Company a division of Lhoist in Belgium. A lime manufacturing company with plants and shipping locations worldwide. Enjoying retirement by traveling, spending time with family, decorating, sewing and crafts, especially card making. I have always had animals in my life usually dogs and cats. I currently have a senior black lab mix and two cats.

Board Members Teri Ann Tate - Volunteer Coordinator Teri Ann Tate owns and runs a pet and housesitting business, Comfy Pets of AZ, in Laveen since 2006 and has worked with animals since she was 15-years-old. She is experienced in handling all domestic, as well as farm animals. Teri Ann believes that all dogs need a well rounded life that includes proper nutrition and plenty of exercise, so she started the Doggie Doo Adventures program in 2010. Teri Ann volunteers with Mingus Manor and sits on the Board of Directors as a Volunteer Coordinator. Her other volunteer duties include being a Park Steward with the Phoenix Park and Recreation Department and as a Maricopa County Sheriff's Posse member for the Search and Rescue division. Teri Ann is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and has found herself assisting quite a few distressed hikers in the past couple of years, especially during the intense heat of AZ.  Teri Ann recently was certified in the Pet Tech Saver Program: Pet Tech: CPR, First Aid and Pet Care this past July. Teri Ann is excited to announce that she has been accepted into the Emergency Animal Medical Technician (EAMT) Academy for the fall and looks forward to advancing her career in the animal community.

Sue Rice/Web Maintenance I moved to the Phoenix area three years ago from upstate NY where my last job was the Operations Coordinator for the Finger Lakes SPCA of CNY. Doing everything from adoptions, fundraising events, website, office work, cleaning kennels, and fostering sick kittens and abused dogs (whatever needed to be done), I learned a lot about the welfare and needs of the animals in our community. I’ve always had a soft spot for animals and seem to find a connection to them wherever I move. I met Karen when she was first getting things together for Mingus Manor Animal Sanctuary and I enjoy seeing her dream unfold while helping so many senior and special needs animals. I currently work in an office that has three dogs, one cat, and a baby… it’s great! My furry companions are two loving greyhounds, Maddie and Hero.

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