Having founded Rescue Rebuild and while running the program since 2007, Bryna’s passion for animals inspired her to address a need that few had before. Through the use of her science background combined with her experience working with tools, she’s been making a big difference in the shelter community for over a decade. She creatively adapted construction practices for the shelter environment, meanwhile inspiring thousands to volunteer and work together to improve their local (or not-so-local) animals shelters. At the end of the day, her goal is to help animals be healthy, happy and into a forever home as fast as possible! Now Bryna leads the push to create pet-friendly spaces in Domestic Violence & Homeless shelters to make sure that no owner should ever have to choose been safety and their pet!
Dog Person or Cat Person?: “Woof!”
Animals at Home: “4 Dogs (Bucky, Blacky, Tinkerbell, & Teddy)”
Favorite RR Memory: “When I hired Zach!”
A carpenter at heart, Zach’s construction background and love for animals brought him to Rescue Rebuild as a volunteer for 5 years before we finally made him stick around and help out full time! Before Rescue Rebuild, Zach ran his remodeling company and spent most of his free time pestering Bryna about where the next build was. Now Zach leads our animal shelter renovation projects through to completion. In addition to making plans, ordering materials, and leading volunteers on-site, he also loves to take pictures and videos of our awesome volunteers! Chances are if he’s not holding a hammer, he’s holding a camera! Together with his new fiance Laura, they have 7 animals at home!
Dog Person or Cat Person?: “Don’t make me say!”
Animals at Home: “2 Cats (Chunk & Tex) and 4 Dogs (Copper, May Belle, Pete & Cricket)”
Favorite RR Memory: “That time I dropped a fence fitting into a drain pipe and Bryn had to fish it out barehanded, up to her shoulder in things that no one should have to touch!”
Casey started volunteering with Rescue Rebuild in 2013 while he was a freshman in college. Ever since he made it a point to go on at least a couple builds every year. Before Casey joined our team, he had already been on over 12 trips and his family had adopted 3 pups from Rescue Rebuild shelters! Lilly, Daisy, and Flint are happy to have forever homes thanks to him! He graduated from Delaware Valley University in 2017 with a B.S. in Conservation and Wildlife Management. Before coming on with Greater Good Charities, Casey worked as a Park Ranger after college and then did wildlife mitigation in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dog Person or Cat Person?: “Dog person!”
Animals at Home: “1 dog (Lily), 2 crested geckos, and 1 flying gecko”
Favorite RR Memory: “The time I convinced my parents that I had already adopted Lilly and got the ok to bring her home from the shelter we were working at!”
A new Nashville transplant, Rachel joined Rescue Rebuild after her move from Alberta, Canada where she owned a roofing company. She is very excited to do something meaningful with her construction experience! Together with her wife Bonnie, they have two dogs and a cat. When Rachel isn’t on or planning a build, she enjoys adventuring with her wife, music, reading, spending time with friends, and riding her motorcycle.
Dog Person or Cat Person?: “The scales probably tip more towards dog, but I love both!”
Animals at Home: “2 Dogs (Zara + Walter) and 1 Cat (Gemma)”
Nate is currently living outside of Los Angeles, CA but is from Bethlehem, PA. Nate first worked with the team in 2013 after transferring to Delaware Valley University. He went on almost every trip he could during his time in school and picked up his construction knowledge along the way. Nate graduated with a degree in Wildlife and Conservation Management and soon after began working with a bird removal company. After moving to California Nate was looking for a new job and he found Rescue Rebuild at the right time. Nate has 3 pets (1 dog and 2 cats) that keep him and his longtime girlfriend company.
Dog Person or Cat Person?: “Cat Person; Brains over Brawn”
Animals at Home: “2 Cats (Posh and Tyrone); 1 Dog (Moe)”
Favorite RR Memory: “That time Bryna returned a Rototiller…and then had me till an entire yard in the Nashville sun.”
A.K.A. Dora The Explorer
Patrick joined the Rescue Rebuild team in early 2020 with a diverse work history but more importantly, a love for animals! He graduated in 2017 from East Stroudsburg University with a degree in Business Management and also has a background working with a general contractor, along with some logistics planning experience. He is excited to adapt and grow these skills into doing something meaningful for animals! Outside of work, Patrick loves to find solitude hiking and he hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2018. He is always looking for new backpacking opportunities!
Dog Person or Cat Person?: "Dog"
Animals at Home: “None yet, but we’re working on it! ”
Favorite RR Memory: "Making new ones every day!"
Troy became part of our team in 2021 and brings a ton of animal and construction experience with him. He worked in animal welfare in Tennessee for 8 years, is trained in animal search and rescue and has been swinging a hammer for 20 years! He is excited to put his unique background to work in a job that takes advantage of both. Troy lives in TN with his family and officially wins the award for most animals on our team!
Dog or Cat person: Both… and why isn’t cow an option?!
Animals at home: 5 dogs, 4 cats, 3 cows, 2 horses, 2 ponies, 2 goats, 2 guinea pigs, 20 chickens
Favorite RR Memory: When I realized that I was going to get to do two things that I love together: building things and helping animals!
