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Denise grew up on a farm in Iowa with animals in tow including raccoons, rabbits, 4-H calves, dogs and cats.  A chance encounter with an injured Chow Chow several years ago grew into a love affair with the breed. The dog, Ching, was rehabbed and adopted by Denise. During the process of helping Ching through physical therapy, she became fascinated with the breed and began to rescue Chow Chows. “The long overdue formation of a 501(c)3  in Houston will enable Houston Chow Chow Connection to bring our group’s passion of Chow Chow education and rescue to life.” 

Krissey has been a resident of Texas for over 30 years.  She has owned Chow Chows all of her life.  Being very fond of the breed, she decided in 2009 after she lost her baby girl Sophie to cancer that she would get more involved with rescuing the breed.  Through Dianne Watson, Krissey met several wonderful people who not only were extremely passionate about rescue of all breeds but that also loved the Chow Chow as much as she does.  Krissey currently owns 4, Lady, Kasey, Elsa & Bo who were all rescued.  With the help of family and friends, she felt it was time to create an organization to support the Houston and surrounding areas in uniting chow chows in need with new forever homes. 

Sarah was born into a home with a beautiful blue Chow Chow named Sampson who was her best friend and has been in love with the breed ever since! Sarah moved to Austin for college and has been in the area ever since. She has worked with animals since graduating from the University of Texas; at a boarding kennel, at veterinary hospitals, and now she owns a pet sitting business in Georgetown. Sarah shares her home with her husband Jason, his daughter Allison, four dogs (Cadee, Duke, Teddy, and Tre; all rescued Chows and Chow mixes!) and three cats (Calypso, Baloo, and Grant).

Growing up in Maryland, Retrievers, Spaniels and Setters were the common dogs but Jill only had eyes for the Chow Chow.  After adopting her first chow mix Cheska from a shelter, she was impressed by his transformation - as he learned to relax and trust - he blossomed, winning the hearts of the people he met.  Jill decided to only adopt from shelters and rescues focusing on older chows ages 5-8.   After settling in Houston and adopting 2 chows from HCCC – getting involved was the next logical step.  Jill feels that she has become a better person by sharing her journey through life with all of her Chow companions:  Cheska, Darla, Shane, Roca, Charlie and Macy.  She is excited about helping rescue chows become Ambassadors of the Breed.

Carol grew up on a farm in Nebraska around pretty much every type of  animal imaginable. Her first dog was Sandy (A Cocker Spaniel) and he was  her best friend. After college, she acquired her first Chow Chow named  Bear (so original) and he was her heart dog for 10 years until cancer  took him. She has since been "owned" by several dogs including 4 other  Chow/Chow mixes......River, who passed away in 2013; Kohl, who is the  oldie at between 13 and 15 and was rescued from the kill shelter in  Austin;  Savi, a 5 year old spitfire who was rescued from Gonzales, TX;  and Takoda, a 7 month old who she adopted from HCCC in 2017. She has  been fostering for several rescues for 9 plus years and her "specialty"  is mommas/puppies, but loves to help with any that fit in with her  household.

Janet grew up in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, and rescued her first dog, a chow mix puppy in 1997. Cinnamon became the first and original Spice Girl. Pepper, a husky mix and only non-chow, was rescued from West Virginia, then Ginger (New York), Nutmeg (Alabama via New York), and Mocha (Illinois).  In 2016, she moved to Houston, where Yoshi and Pumpkin joined the family,  Both were adopted from HCCC.  Excited to utilize her business strategy and operational expertise, Janet joined the board in 2017 to assist the group with sustainable growth and operational best practices.