About the Rescue
El Paso County Canine Rescue is a 501c3 non-profit dog rescue based in Colorado Springs, CO and working all along the front range of the Rocky Mountains. We work to rescue dogs from Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico that are in danger of euthanasia in high-kill shelters. After transport to Colorado, our dogs are placed in loving foster homes and are fully vetted with vaccinations and spay/neuter prior to adoption.
Our goal is to provide as many homes to as many
dogs as possible. We strive to place our animals
into their FURever homes!!
Jaime Hurd
Founder & Director
Born and raised in the Southern California, Jaime grew up dreaming about saving animals. She thought her calling was to be a veterinarian, but fate had different plans. She became a Founder & Director of 3 Nonprofit Animal Rescues located in Colorado and Idaho. Jaime has spent 2 decades dedicating her life to animals.
She has always had compassion, and care for the welfare of animals. In her off time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She enjoys snowmobiling during the winter and playing in the water during the summer. On a cool afternoon riding her horses. Jaime's vision for the rescue has always been to serve animals that are neglected, and to be the loving hand that they receive.
Meet Our Team!
Julie Cousino- Operations Director
​
Julie’s passion for animals began at an early age and has grown into a lifelong commitment to their care and well-being. Growing up in Western Massachusetts, Julie knew early on helping animals was more than just a childhood love, it was what she wanted to dedicate her life to. When she was just 8 years old, Julie cared for her injured childhood dog, Angel, and that experience deepened the love for animals that would stay with her throughout her life.
Julie has been a veterinary technician for more than 20 years and has spent the last decade working in animal welfare. She has more than six years of experience in shelter operations, including serving as an Executive Director. Over the years, her husband’s military career took their family to different places, but her commitment to helping animals remained a constant. After moving to Colorado two and a half years ago, Julie became involved with the rescue and eventually stepped into the role of Operations Director. Today, she serves as Operations Director for both El Paso County Canine Rescue and Jefferson County Canine Rescue, helping oversee day-to-day operations while supporting fosters, transports, intakes, adoptions, and the many moving pieces that make rescue possible.
One of Julie’s favorite parts of rescue is doing transports and watching fosters gather to welcome the animals they have opened their homes and hearts to. She also loves watching shy dogs come out of their shells, learn to trust, and discover their confidence. For Julie, there is something incredibly rewarding about watching a dog who once felt unsure of the world begin to realize they are safe, loved, and finally home.
Outside of rescue, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband, Trevor, their daughter, Felicity, their pups, and their chickens and ducks. She loves camping, hiking, exploring Colorado, and pretty much anything outdoors. Her life is fueled by lattes, rescue pets, and her family, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Julie is incredibly grateful to be part of a community that believes every animal deserves a chance, and she is proud to spend her days helping give them one.
Candice Lovato-Foster Administrator
Michelle Bauman- Adoption Admin
Jordana Coleman- Adoption Staff
Allie Beekman-Event Staff
Hi! I’m Allie. I’m the Event Staff Coordinator! Most days you’ll find me in the classroom teaching history, but after school? I’ll be with my dogs and fosters. I love to go on runs, play ball, or curl up with a book. I love our furry friends and strive to be their voice constantly. If I’m not home, I’m out adventuring!
Kayla Smith -Event Staff
​
Kayla is a radiation therapist by profession with a heart for helping others—both people and dogs. Kayla is a wife and dog mom, Disney lover, and always looking forward to her next getaway. Whether she is volunteering with rescue dogs, exploring Disney world, shopping, or making memories with her family, she believes life is best lived with compassion, adventure, and a little bit of magic.
Cherise Beitz - Event Staff
Cherise is a dedicated volunteer with El Paso County Canine Rescue who has been actively involved in rescue work for the past 1.5 years. She has served in many roles, including foster coordinator, facilitating adoptions, assisting with animal intake, supporting adoption events, and coaching fellow fosters through the rewarding (and sometimes challenging) journey of fostering. Her favorite part of rescue work is fostering animals herself — watching shy, scared, or overlooked dogs and cats blossom into confident, social pets and ultimately go to loving forever homes. This transformation is what drives her. Cherise’s deep love for animals is what fuels her mission: to save as many dogs and cats as possible. Recently Cherise relocated to Colorado Springs with her partner, son and two dogs. She is excited to collaborate with the dedicated volunteers at Jefferson County Canine Rescue and is the new Rescue Manger for Jefferson County Canine Recue. Cherise will keep saving as many lives as possible in her new community.
Natalie Diller- Social Media
Tammy Hollenbeck - Event Staff
Tammy is an Accountant by day and foster mom by night, she have held a lifelong passion for animal welfare. Her foster journey with El Paso County Canine Rescue truly blossomed when I took in a mama dog and her newborn litter. Watching a nervous mother finally feel safe enough to care for her pups—and seeing those tiny lives grow, play, and head off to forever homes—is an indescribable joy for her.
Beyond fostering, she loves working at EPCCR adoption events to advocate for our animals and find new ways to help our rescue save more lives. When she is not managing finances or caring for puppies, you can find her out on the trails—as a marathon runner, she applies that same grit and commitment to giving rescue animals a second chance.
Alexia Dallman- Event Staff
Alexia has always been an animal lover at heart. When she was younger she thought that she would be a veterinarian one day, but along the way she discovered that her true calling was helping animals differently: through fostering, volunteering, and simply being someone they can count on.Alexia is a wife and mom, and family is a huge part of her life. She loves to travel, get lost in a good book, spend time crafting, and enjoying the outdoors. Through her work with EPCCR, Alexia has found so much joy in giving animals a safe place to land, especially those who may be scared, unsure, or have never experienced the love they deserve. She loves watching their personalities come out as they learn that people can be kind, that they are safe, and that they are loved.One of Alexia's favorite parts of rescue is watching an animal go from a foster to their forever home. Knowing that she was able to be a small part of their journey from helping them feel safe and loved to helping them find the family meant for them is incredibly rewarding.
Isabella's Legacy
Isabella was Jaime's best friend for a very short three years. During her short life, Isabella was a rescue advocate, she was always at Jaime's side during rescue events, greeting dogs as they came off the truck and providing a calm presence for the stressed, homeless dogs. She was an outgoing soul that never met a stranger, she was loving with everyone, human and canine. She made such an impact on our lives, that she became the face of El Paso County Canine Rescue and she is the dog you see on our logo.
Unfortunately, her life was cut short due to osteosarcoma. After several attempts to treat her cancer, she lost her battle just before Christmas 2018. We would love if you would make a donation to the Morris Animal Foundation in Isabella's name to find better treatments and, hopefully, a cure for this terrible disease.
Please donate in Isabella's name:
