Meet the Team
OUR VOLUNTEERS
The Heart of Sammamish Animal Sanctuary
There are over 150 incredible volunteers at Sammamish Animal Sanctuary and we can’t begin to express how vital each individual is to our organization. It simply would not be possible without them and their hard work!
Diane gockel
Founder/Director — volunteer
Diane has lived in the Seattle area her whole life. She grew up in Bridle Trails with her three brothers and that is where she developed her love of animals. She had a horse, numerous rescued cats, dogs, and critters and spent most of her childhood there. Diane and her husband Don raised four children who are still local to the Seattle area. She and Don also have 3 grandchildren.
Diane graduated from the University of Washington and has a master’s in religious education from Seattle University. Diane taught in the theology program at Eastside Catholic High School for many years.
She is the Founder and Director of the sanctuary and is still actively involved. She is the longest active volunteer as she has never taken a salary or any compensation from SAS. Although the sanctuary depends on generous donors, Diane insists that the sanctuary never charges visitors to visit so that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy our rescues.
kathi flynn
Sanctuary Manager
I have had a passion for animals my entire life! Maybe because animals are the ones that have this thing called life figured out. They’ve just got it right! They love in the purest form. They appreciate the simplest things – a beautiful sunny day, a warm safe place to snuggle, a full tummy and a friend to hang with.
I wanted to be a part of this wonderful organization that provides a forever home to those animals who were neglected, homeless or abused. I want to give to them a bit of joy that they have given to me, let them know there are humans who care and have compassion. I have been in preschool education administration for the past 13 years and feel I can incorporate my experience to help facilitate the needs of SAS. I have 2 older horses that I used to compete with on an equestrian drill team and I also competed in reining. My husband and I have 2 older dogs and a cat that adopted us.
Erin DOre
Barn Manager
My name is Erin Dore and I grew up here in Washington. I started as barn manager in October of 2021, but before that I was a past volunteer! I volunteered under the first barn manager in 2019 for about a year. While I was a volunteer I fell in love with all the animals at SAS and when I had the opportunity to come back as the barn manager I was so excited!
As a kid I loved animals, I was always trying to convince my parents to let me have all the pets. Not that it worked! Since working at the Farm, I’ve adopted my own little puppy and named her Lemon. She can be found anywhere I am, she is like my shadow. That is unless she’s playing with Diane’s dog Bo! When Lemon and I aren’t working we are usually hiking, spending time with family, or staying at home reading.
paige miller
Summer Camp Coordinator — volunteer
My name is Paige Miller and I am ecstatic to be running camps this year!
I’ve been volunteering at Sammamish Animal Sanctuary since 2018 and camps have always been the highlight of my year. In 2021 I helped recreate the camp format and schedule alongside the former camp coordinator, Shane, and I have loved watching the program grow. My favorite part about camp is watching kids feel the magic of animals and fall in love with caring for them. I first found my passion for animals at a farm camp in preschool and it means the world to be to help a new generation of kids experience the magic animals can bring into our lives, especially our rescues.
My favorite thing about working at SAS can be summed up by one phrase, “who rescued who?” While all the animals here are rescues, the lessons they teach everyone who crosses their paths are just as valuable to us as we are to them. The animals here have filled my life with love, light, and joy. Be warned parents, if your kids are anything like me they could wind up catching the horse gene from camps, which led me to get my very own horse, lovingly named Kevin. When I’m not dancing around the farm swarmed by campers you can often find me in the arena!
Yvette Blauvelt
Events Coordinator — volunteer
Bio coming soon!
Chai Vembar
Small Animal Adoption Coordinator — volunteer
Bio coming soon!