Katie has been an animal lover all her life. In one of her first grade writing assignments she stated that she would like to be a "vetranarin" when she grew up. Despite her mothers rules, Katie took in many neighborhood strays including an entire litter of kittens. She even brought home the neighbor's cat because it wasn't wearing a collar. (He was returned immediately.) In fact, "Lola" and "Darkness", the loves of her life, are strays she decided to keep. Today they live a happy life full of hugs and hikes.

At the age of 12 she got her first job working at an Equestrian center in Oak Brook, IL. She got a ride or took cabs out there after school to work for $3.40 an hour to pay for a saturday riding lesson. Even though she was the youngest employee, she was in charge of the horses with the most attitudes. But she had a knack for winning them over, which has carried over to all animals.

Katie continues to work as a photographer but she believes she has finally found her true calling: caring for animals. Have a great day and...