Our Co-Founders

President/CEO

Julia has been a fierce advocate for dog rescue since age 12 when she rescued her first dog, Petey the Pittie. In 2020, she began volunteering at the Philadelphia county shelter. When the world came to a standstill in March 2020, Julia transitioned into fostering dogs. It was during this period that she discovered her calling—rehabilitating sick dogs and witnessing their incredible transformations, despite facing medical challenges.

When Julia moved to Maricopa County in January 2023, she was eager to continue her mission at the MCACC and witnessed firsthand the dire need for intervention. She wanted to make a more significant impact than volunteering alone could achieve. Harnessing the power of her social platform, Julia became the voice for the voiceless, advocating for dogs who couldn't speak for themselves. Her compelling stories and unwavering dedication drew attention not only locally but also from families across the United States and even two families from Canada, who journeyed to adopt dogs from MCACC.

As the driving force behind Desert Dog Project, Julia decided to take her powerful social media account to the next level and formally create a nonprofit to help even more dogs. Julia has a soft spot for grey pitties - as a mom of 3 of them, you can tell she has a type!

Chief Operating Officer

Halle started volunteering with private shelters in 2021 before redirecting her efforts to Maricopa Animal Care and Control, driven by a desire to address the harshest realities often faced by county shelter dogs.

Halle's commitment extends beyond volunteering; she is an advocate for fostering and facilitating community integration to expedite the adoption process for dogs in need. Her passion for aiding shelter dogs with medical requirements was kindled through the adoption of Jefe, a resilient three-legged chihuahua mix recovering from a leg amputation and kennel cough. Jefe's subsequent diagnosis of a life-threatening tick disease intensified Halle's resolve to make a difference, recognizing that many dogs with treatable medical conditions face unfortunate outcomes due to insufficient funds for care.

Halle is a devoted dog mom to three rescues – Teton, Matcha, and Jefe – and a perpetual foster parent. She particularly champions the cause of timid, occasionally neurotic dogs, providing them with the support needed to build trust, and holds a special place in her heart for tripod dogs. Halle's multifaceted dedication underscores her pivotal role in shaping our organization's compassionate approach towards animal welfare.

Chief Strategy Officer

Courtney has loved the rescue world and dogs since she was a very young girl. After rescuing her first dog as soon as she was able, she became extremely active in and passionate about the rescue community. Though Courtney volunteers with Maricopa county, she is even more so driven by a passion ignited from years of active fostering. With every dog that goes through her and her husband’s home, they believe more in the depth and capacity of these dogs’ love. They have given extra focus to dogs needing special priority such as those added to the euthanasia list, neglect cases, fearful dogs, and dogs in need of medical care. She ended up adopting one of her medical fosters, saving her from euthanasia; and couldn’t be more grateful to have found that love.

Courtney believes every single dog in the shelter deserves a chance at a forever family, which is the singular focus of this organization. No dog should be deemed unadoptable due to a curable malady, and we aim to put any family who wants to adopt AZ shelter dogs in a position to bring home a healthy, loving best friend.

She has 2 rescue dogs - a weimaraner named Kaia and Mochi, a Rottweiler saved from MCACC’s euthanasia list.