Board of Directors
Dr. Paula Dupuy, President
Dr. Paula founded Wind Dancer Pony Rescue Foundation in March of 2011 after the tragic death of her daughter Isabel, a great young horsewoman and advocate for ponies. Along with friends, family and other members of the equestrian community, Paula led the creation and growth of this unique organization. Her experience as a mother, equestrienne, and veterinarian have all contributed to the character of the Wind Dancer rescue, making it not only a beautiful legacy for Isabel, but also a magical and healing place both for ponies and for the volunteers that participate in caring for our equine residents.
Dr. Paula grew up on a farm in Flamborough and graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1992. She is the founder of Troy Veterinary Services Inc., providing veterinary care for equine and companion animals. Paula has always had a keen interest in youth, from her early days as a counselor at Kemur Camp in Glen Morris, ON to her roles as aunt, stepparent, parent and now as a foster parent. She has also mentored many young people throughout her veterinary career through high school co-op programs and veterinary externships.
As a lifetime horsewoman, Paula has owned and trained several equine friends. She has a long involvement with Pony Club and is an active member of the Wellington-Waterloo Hunt club, where she participates with her horse Cherry as an honourary whipper-in. In truth, she is never found too far away from a horse (or pony!)
Her resume is extensive and includes involvement with other humane organizations and community groups. It is also not unusual to find Dr. Paula behind a keyboard or sitting in with a blues band.
“Isabel has been my greatest inspiration. It is because of her that I have been able to overcome grief and channel my talents to create Wind Dancer Pony Rescue. From the start, everyone else has taken this project forward at great leaps and bounds. I thank Johnny, my partner for his daily love and support and I am eternally grateful for what dreams can do. Believing in ponies always.”
Pat VanEsch-Dussault, Chair & Vice President
Pat has been on the Wind Dancer board since its inception.
She met Paula and Isabel while riding to hounds with a local drag hunt club. Always impressed with Paula’s commitment to people’s well being and animal care and Isabel’s maturity on and off horseback, and the toughness they both exhibited, she was glad to be asked to help with Paula’s effort to bring Isabel’s dream of rescuing ponies to life.
Pat is an accomplished, innovative, results-driven Sales and Marketing professional with international experience. She offers a successful track record in product promotion and customer relations. She’s a highly analytical and persuasive problem solver and is defined by a strong commitment to providing world class customer service and support.
Experienced in the corporate world with goal planning, meetings, training and events, she also brings to the board her knowledge of marketing, budgets and fiscal responsibility.
Having been around ponies, horses and children most of her life, her sympathy and understanding of ponies and kids will help promote and represent an organisation of great caring and purpose.
Pat has volunteered with two handicapped riding establishment and is currently the President of a local, non profit organisation involving people and equines, has been published in WHOA magazine and owns her own, young horse which she is training for the jumper ring and for riding to hounds.
Felicia Chaisson, Events Chair
Felicia joined the Wind Dancer Board of Directors in March 2015. She has been an active volunteer member since its inception in March of 2011. Her role on the Board is Events and Fundraising Coordinator.
Felicia first met Paula and Isabel in September 2004 when Isabel began Junior Kindergarten. Since then, she has always been thankful for their friendship they all shared. When she learned of Isabel’s tragic death the day after the accident, she knew she had to help keep Isabel’s dream alive through Wind Dancer. Regular volunteering every Monday since 2011 led to helping run fundraising events and then her current position on the Board.
“In many cases, the volunteers at Wind Dancer become fast friends, and the friendships can last for years to come. We would love to add more friends to our strong group of volunteers who always believe in the power of ponies” she says.
Felicia is in her final year of university at Nipissing and Laurier Brantford in the Concurrent Education program to become an elementary school teacher.
Ca
roline Cook, Secretary
Caroline grew up in North Dumfries Township, a mother of 2 grown-up daughters Ellie and Katie. Katie who has Down Syndrome, now lives very happily in a Group home in Kitchener run by the Sunbeam Center. I am also a grandmother of Ari, Ava, and Alice whom I love more than I can express.
“I am a voracious reader, especially enjoying historical non-fiction. I do spend as much time as possible with my granddaughters – enjoying playdoh, tea parties, and Disney movies.”
She is also the mother to a small, messy Shih Tzu named Dolly, a lazy cat named Rocky, and a noisy budgie named Boyd.
Caroline is a passionate volunteer and was the assistant barn manager for Pride Stables, a therapeutic riding stable located in Kitchener. Caroline has extensive experience with small business in the administration field. She has also recently completed a two year program with Conestoga College in Executive Office Administration. Caroline is excited to bring her administration and organization skills to the Wind Dancer board of directors in her role as Secretary.
Ashlee Allen
Ashlee joined the board in January of 2016, and will be focused on managing the communications strategy by leveraging her professional experience in Management, Sales and Marketing. Today she manages a busy call center, including administration and implementation departments of a payroll service located in Cambridge, Ontario.
The Wind Dancer communication and public relations efforts are supported by a group of volunteers and publication contributors who work together to get the message out about the wonderful work that the charity is doing.
Ashlee has been riding for more than 23 years, showing hunters as a teenager and continues to enjoy riding and jumping Steve, her 10 year old Thoroughbred.
She has been a Wind Dancer enthusiast since the start of the rescue, and has always loved attending the events with her daughter Sophie and husband Brent.
“Many nights Sophie and I read Wind Dancer and the Star Dust Dots as part of our story time routine – It is a favorite!”
Robi
n Dewit
Robin Dewit joined the Wind Dancer board in January 2016, and has a strong background in Human Resources and Database Management. Robin is the proud mother of a 15 month old daughter, who had some medical challenges early on after her birth. Now that her daughter’s health challenges are behind them, Robin wanted to focus some of her time and energy on getting involved with the charity.
Her family also includes two Shih Tzu’s, which is how she came to know Paula and Isabel. This is what inspired Robin to get involved with the charity. Robin is a long time Wind Dancer volunteer who loves spending time with the ponies, and volunteering actually encouraged her to start riding again after nearly 25 years!
Robin will be supporting much of the administrative, and database management functions that are integral to the operations of the charity.