CALL US: 714-583-3238
Michelle Saldana
Founder and CEO
Throughout my career I've worked with special need adults, children, elderly, veterinarian clinics, and mobile veterinarians. I founded HHC because it is my belief pets are family, and all families should be offered basic care and resources to better the community.
Jerry Washington
Secretary and Board Member
After marine corps training in 1993, which provided twenty three of learning, teaching, developing, changing, and focusing on improving himself and those around him, however, the most important lessons came from three deployments to Iraq.
Chase Semaza
Board Member
Born and raised in Orange County, CA. Chase always had a soft spot for animals. Throughout his life, he has had one German shepherd, five Pitbull mixes, a hamster, and three cats. After having many conversations with Michelle S., HHC founder and CEO, over the idea of grooming animals of the homeless community at no cost Helping Homeless Companions was created. Chase has a significant role in acquiring supplies to provide services and distribute goods to the community.
Her Biography
Michelle was raised in Orange County CA. She has a broad history of helping the community and animals. At the age of 7, Michelle rescued her first pet cat off the streets. Since rescuing that cat, she has engaged in trap and release (TNR). At the age of 12, Michelle began her first job. She walked dogs for her elderly neighbors.
In high school, Michelle took her passion for helping animals to the next level. She began volunteering at OC Animal Care Center. After high school, Michelle became employed at OC Vet Medical Center. Michelle had learned to care for animals in a professional environment.
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​Michelle often donated at Mary’s Kitchen in Orange. In 2014, Michelle noticed an increase of the pet population at Mary’s Kitchen. In 2015, with an idea and a plan Michelle organized a grooming event for the animals outside the fences of Mary’s Kitchen. Mary’s Kitchen was generous enough to offer their water hose through the fence. Plastic buckets, shampoo, fur cuts and nail trims were all offered at Helping Homeless Companion’s first event.
Jerry Washington Biography
Combat tours in Iraq taught Jerry more about himself and humanity than anything he had experienced. For months at a time, he would be exhausted, constantly tested, confronted with ethical and moral dilemmas, shown the frailty of life, and ultimately changed forever—some for good, some not.
Jerry Washington transitioned (retired) from the Marine Corps in 2016. He joined Helping Homeless Companions (HHC) in 2019. Jerry has a strong passion for improving the human condition and thereby enhancing our companions' condition. He believes excellent leadership skills can be learned through companionship! Jerry brings a keen awareness of his life experience and how those experiences have shaped his environment.
He hopes that through his efforts as a Board Member, in the capacity of Secretary would help move HHC forward in “bringing care to homeless shelters and the streets of Orange County, California.” Jerry has personally rescued his companions; Sammie, a Lab/Huskey mix; Zala, a Bengal cat; and Zilla, a red Iguana.
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Jerry’s educational background includes:
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Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership University of Southern California –Los Angeles, CA Expected completion date Aug 2023
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Graduate Certificate in Learning Design and Technology University of Southern California – Los Angeles, CA
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Bachelor of Arts in Management (BAM) - National University – San Diego, CA
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Certificate - Applied Project Management - University of California Irvine Division of Continuing Education –Irvine, CA
Contact
We're always looking for new and exciting opportunities to help your pet. Let's connect.
(714)583-3238
