1487-1489 Garden Drive, South Euclid, OH
The Herps Alive Foundation is an all volunteer organization and we cannot do what we do without our team of fantastic volunteers.
*(Check back soon for updated bios to get to know the team at The Herps Alive Foundation!)*
Veterinarian Team
Dr. Carole McLaren Veterinarian
Dr. Caitlin Cunningham Veterinarian
Dr. Caitlin Cunningham Veterinarian
Dr. McLaren has special interest in feline medicine, small mammals and reptiles and amphibians. In addition to working with us, she offers her services to the Lake County Humane Society, spaying and neutering their rabbits and fostering many orphaned kittens. She plans to add reptile and amphibian services at Mentor Animal Hospital soon
Dr. McLaren has special interest in feline medicine, small mammals and reptiles and amphibians. In addition to working with us, she offers her services to the Lake County Humane Society, spaying and neutering their rabbits and fostering many orphaned kittens. She plans to add reptile and amphibian services at Mentor Animal Hospital soon. In her spare time she is an enthusiatic gardener and orchid grower. Dr. McLaren shares her home with her husband Thomas, 8 cats, 6 degus, 3 snakes, several frogs, tropical fish, and a never-ending rotation of foster kittens and recovering reptiles Dr. McLaren received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, with the distinction of summa cum laude, from The Ohio State University in 1993, after receiving her Bachelor of Arts, with Honors, in Biology from the College of Wooster in 1989.
Dr. Caitlin Cunningham Veterinarian
Dr. Caitlin Cunningham Veterinarian
Dr. Caitlin Cunningham Veterinarian
Dr. Caitlin Cunningham joined Herps Alive as a volunteer veterinarian in July of 2023. She has a bachelor's degree in biology and is a proud buckeye as an OSU veterinary alumni. After veterinary school, she did an exotic animal medicine/surgery internship and a reptile/amphibian residency in Arizona. She has been keeping reptiles since hi
Dr. Caitlin Cunningham joined Herps Alive as a volunteer veterinarian in July of 2023. She has a bachelor's degree in biology and is a proud buckeye as an OSU veterinary alumni. After veterinary school, she did an exotic animal medicine/surgery internship and a reptile/amphibian residency in Arizona. She has been keeping reptiles since high school and has a huge love of all bearded dragons. In addition, she has a background in wildlife rehabilitation and is passionate about animal enrichment/welfare.
Kristen Millea Vet Tech
Dr. Caitlin Cunningham Veterinarian
Kristen Millea Vet Tech
Kristen has always had a love for animals and graduated from KSU with a bachelor's of science in zoology. She joined the team at herps alive in April of 2022 and continues to learn something new every day. She with her husband, 6 cats, black lab, and corn snake. She loves fostering animals, volunteering, kayaking, dancing, hiking spending time snuggling with her cats and dog.
Amanda Tommer Vet Tech
Dr. Caitlin Cunningham Veterinarian
Kristen Millea Vet Tech
Amanda has been a registered veterinary technician for four years. She works in a mixed emergency/GP practice full time when she’s not at Herps Alive. Additionally she is the medical director for Grim Reaper Rescue and Reprieve. Amanda lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland with her fiancé Rebecca and their menagerie of pets which
Amanda has been a registered veterinary technician for four years. She works in a mixed emergency/GP practice full time when she’s not at Herps Alive. Additionally she is the medical director for Grim Reaper Rescue and Reprieve. Amanda lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland with her fiancé Rebecca and their menagerie of pets which include five cats, four dogs, two rats and Miso the leopard gecko. In her spare time, she can be found eating vegan food with Rebecca, listening to audio books, and tending to her 72 plants.
Shawn Barnhart Vet Assistant
Antoinette Liss Vet Assistant
Antoinette Liss Vet Assistant
Shawn is our Jack of All Trades who joined us in 2015. Not only is she a Veterinary Assistant, but she serves as a shift manager and is the driving force behind keeping our turtle enclosures presentable. She also fosters many of our box turtles as well as some tortoises during the warmer months.
Antoinette Liss Vet Assistant
Antoinette Liss Vet Assistant
Antoinette Liss Vet Assistant
Antoinette found Herps Alive while looking for a live feeder mouse for her corn
snake and never left. Her happy place is animals and nature, and my lifelong
career interest is healthcare. Working in the Quarantine -room is the perfect
blend. She has degrees in Radiologic Technology and a B.A . and M.A. in Health
Care Administration. She is al
Antoinette found Herps Alive while looking for a live feeder mouse for her corn
snake and never left. Her happy place is animals and nature, and my lifelong
career interest is healthcare. Working in the Quarantine -room is the perfect
blend. She has degrees in Radiologic Technology and a B.A . and M.A. in Health
Care Administration. She is also a TA for the Master herpetology class offered online throughThe
Amphibian Foundation Antoinette also has experience working in large animal
husbandry on a Kibbutz in Israel with horses and cows. When she is not spoiling
her reptiles, she spends her downtime baking (and eating), reading, camping,
hiking and kayaking.
Outreach Team
Brittany Reynolds Outreach Supervisor
Brittany started as a volunteer at Herps Alive in 2015, when her mom suggested she find a rescue to volunteer with instead of get more reptiles. She now also has more reptiles. Brittany has degrees in biology and physical therapy, which fall in line with her passion for helping both people and animals. What she loves most about outreach a
Brittany started as a volunteer at Herps Alive in 2015, when her mom suggested she find a rescue to volunteer with instead of get more reptiles. She now also has more reptiles. Brittany has degrees in biology and physical therapy, which fall in line with her passion for helping both people and animals. What she loves most about outreach at Herps Alive is getting to show the public the unique and often misunderstood nature of reptiles/amphibians.
Romeo: Ambassador
Ophelia: Ambassador
Ophelia: Ambassador
Romeo is a twelve-year-old Argentine Tegu who came to is seven years ago named Lizard.
We had a name the lizard contest and Romeo won.
Why? Romeo Mon-tegu (for you Shakespeare fans)
Ophelia: Ambassador
Ophelia: Ambassador
Ophelia: Ambassador
Ophelia is the Queen of her Domain. A four-year-old bearded dragon, she loves handling, crickets and strawberries, as well as long walks on the beach.
Dude: Ambassador
Ophelia: Ambassador
Nova: Ambassador
Dude is a banded California King Snake who came to us because of an alleged biting problem.
Since joining the program he has been handled by hundreds of adults and children with no issues at all.
Nova: Ambassador
Ophelia: Ambassador
Nova: Ambassador
Nova is a captive bred five-year-old Indian Starred Tortoise. Threatened in the wild, in many parts of their range, it is considered good luck if one walks into your yard, so many families put out plates of melons and fruits to attract them.
Moe: Ambassador
Silky: Ambassador
Silky: Ambassador
Moe is an African Spurred Tortoise who suffers from pyramiding due to improper husbandry when he was young. He is fine now, but is not the best looking Sulcata ever.
Silky: Ambassador
Silky: Ambassador
Silky: Ambassador
Silky is a five year old African Spurred tortoise. She lives with Keith, our Executive Director and will until she walks through a wall or knocks a toilet off its flange.
Management Team
Sam Clark
Maria Romito
Sam Clark
Sam is currently working on her Associate of Science degree at Tri-C, and intends to transfer to Kent State to study Zoology. She enjoys being able to help her community and get some volunteer experience in her field working at Herps Alive.
At home, she tends to the surprisingly high needs of carnivorous plants, tries her best to keep up
Sam is currently working on her Associate of Science degree at Tri-C, and intends to transfer to Kent State to study Zoology. She enjoys being able to help her community and get some volunteer experience in her field working at Herps Alive.
At home, she tends to the surprisingly high needs of carnivorous plants, tries her best to keep up with her studies and attempts and fails to not spend too much money on card games.
Jack Corbo
Maria Romito
Sam Clark
Jack was the first volunteer manager appointed by founder Keith Gisser in the
winter of 2016, although he is currently filling shifts irregularly to health
issues. He subscribes to the idea of Matrix Management, a philosophy which has
no hierarchy, but has all volunteers trained at all jobs, allowing the team to
functions more smoothly when a
Jack was the first volunteer manager appointed by founder Keith Gisser in the
winter of 2016, although he is currently filling shifts irregularly to health
issues. He subscribes to the idea of Matrix Management, a philosophy which has
no hierarchy, but has all volunteers trained at all jobs, allowing the team to
functions more smoothly when a team member is absent. He is highly detail
oriented and passes that along to his managers. He is an avid Cheloniologist,
keeping several turtles as pets, and having studied mud turtles in Central
America.
Maria Romito
Maria Romito
Maria Romito
Maria came to Herps Alive in 2021 after moving to Cleveland for law school. She has a love for all animals, including reptiles, and plans to use her law degree to advocate for animals through our legal system.
In addition to Herps Alive, Maria also enjoys volunteering at a local farm animal sanctuary and spending time with her bonded pair of rabbits, Fredo and Twiggy.
Lili Roosa
Rachel Weibel
Maria Romito
Lili has been with Herps Alive since 2019 and has had a lifelong passion for animal rescue and advocacy. She has degrees from Cleveland State University in environmental science and urban studies.
Her favorite part of working with Herps Alive is educating the public about these incredible animals…. and working with frogs of course.
Katie Ross
Rachel Weibel
Rachel Weibel
Katie has been volunteering with Herps Alive since October 2019. She met Romeo the black & white Argentine tegu at the first reptile expo she attended, and after being allowed to hold him, vowed to do whatever he needed. Katie is an environmental educator at a nearby non-profit nature center, and responsible for coordinating animal care
Katie has been volunteering with Herps Alive since October 2019. She met Romeo the black & white Argentine tegu at the first reptile expo she attended, and after being allowed to hold him, vowed to do whatever he needed. Katie is an environmental educator at a nearby non-profit nature center, and responsible for coordinating animal care there. She personally keeps 2 snakes: a ball python named Max, and a Florida kingsnake named Phoebe adopted from HAF.
Rachel Weibel
Rachel Weibel
Rachel Weibel
Rachel is a delivery driver who has been keeping various species of reptiles for over a decade. In addition to being a herpetology enthusiast, Rachel has a bachelor’s degree in geology and enjoys spending time outdoors gardening, rockhounding, hiking, and biking. When not outside, Rachel can be found reading, listening to audiobooks, sewi
Rachel is a delivery driver who has been keeping various species of reptiles for over a decade. In addition to being a herpetology enthusiast, Rachel has a bachelor’s degree in geology and enjoys spending time outdoors gardening, rockhounding, hiking, and biking. When not outside, Rachel can be found reading, listening to audiobooks, sewing, and tending her bioactive vivariums.
She has been with Herps Alive since February of 2022.
Chorei Grey
Chorei Grey
Chorei Grey
Chorei discovered Herps Alive when looking for a rescue for his 16 year old Beardie. He has kept reptiles his entire life and has always had a passion for snakes.
As well as volunteering at Herps Alive, he teaches reptile and amphibian education, history and husbandry for The Amphibian Foundation in Atlanta, GA.
Chorei says his goal is to
Chorei discovered Herps Alive when looking for a rescue for his 16 year old Beardie. He has kept reptiles his entire life and has always had a passion for snakes.
As well as volunteering at Herps Alive, he teaches reptile and amphibian education, history and husbandry for The Amphibian Foundation in Atlanta, GA.
Chorei says his goal is to teach others the importance of conservation and break the stigma many people have against reptiles.
His career is in Criminal Justice, however he loves volunteering at the foundation and helping Keith with his mission of saving the world, one reptile at a time.
Becca Novak Web Master
Bogie Web Master Office Assistant
Bogie Web Master Office Assistant
Becca was the Foundation's first Outreach Coordinator after volunteering since before the rescue opened to the public.
In addition to her work with reptiles she assists with the rescue of exotic birds, dogs, pocket pets, mini pigs and other various exotic animals.
When Becca isn't working animal rescue, she spends her time with her four
Becca was the Foundation's first Outreach Coordinator after volunteering since before the rescue opened to the public.
In addition to her work with reptiles she assists with the rescue of exotic birds, dogs, pocket pets, mini pigs and other various exotic animals.
When Becca isn't working animal rescue, she spends her time with her four parrots, Doberman "Bruno" and pet raccoons "Dot & Taz", mini pig "Tuna" as well as her other pets.
Bogie Web Master Office Assistant
Bogie Web Master Office Assistant
Bogie Web Master Office Assistant
Bogie is a rescued Blue & Gold Macaw who is around 8 or 9 years old.
He plays a crucial role assisting the Web Master on a daily basis.
Most days Bogie can be found in important web development meetings, ensuring the webmaster has someone present to bounce ideas off of and providing a variety of verbal feedback, critique and ideas.
In Bog
Bogie is a rescued Blue & Gold Macaw who is around 8 or 9 years old.
He plays a crucial role assisting the Web Master on a daily basis.
Most days Bogie can be found in important web development meetings, ensuring the webmaster has someone present to bounce ideas off of and providing a variety of verbal feedback, critique and ideas.
In Bogie's free time, he enjoys working on his singing skills, dancing and studying Pollytics
Trustees
Dana Gisser Associate Director & Trustee
Dana Gisser Associate Director & Trustee
Dana Gisser Associate Director & Trustee
Dana is Keith's second born child, but favorite daughter. She's been following in her dad's footsteps her entire life and currently works as a wildlife education specialist for Lake Metroparks and an instructor with Holden Arboretum. When she's not at work or the rescue she's probably somewhere flipping over rocks or logs. When she remembers Dana also updates our tiktok and Instagram pages.
Matt Buchanan
Dana Gisser Associate Director & Trustee
Dana Gisser Associate Director & Trustee
Matt has been passionate about reptiles his entire life. The love of the animal, the genetic aspects of what we can do with a species like the ball python ("living artwork"), and conservation through captive propagation has driven Matt to have a large and diverse collection of some common as well as some extremely rare species.
Matt has s
Matt has been passionate about reptiles his entire life. The love of the animal, the genetic aspects of what we can do with a species like the ball python ("living artwork"), and conservation through captive propagation has driven Matt to have a large and diverse collection of some common as well as some extremely rare species.
Matt has successfully captive bred over 30 species of reptiles, helping stabilize some species that are endangered in the wild. Matt is encouraged daily to enjoy his lifelong passion by his forever inquisitive teenage son and wife who is also an avid herper.
Jack Corbo
Dana Gisser Associate Director & Trustee
Jamie Runevitch
Jack has been interested in Cheloniology (the study of turtles) for over half a
century. He has a Masters in Clinical Chemistry. His interest in turtles led him
to Central America where he worked on mud turtle genetics on a project funded
in part by a grant from the National Geographic Society. He has taught over a
dozen chemistry lab classes
Jack has been interested in Cheloniology (the study of turtles) for over half a
century. He has a Masters in Clinical Chemistry. His interest in turtles led him
to Central America where he worked on mud turtle genetics on a project funded
in part by a grant from the National Geographic Society. He has taught over a
dozen chemistry lab classes in chemistry and biology. He has logged over 3,000
volunteer hours, including over 1,000 at the Cleveland Museum of Natural
History and 1,500 at the Herps Alive Foundation where he is a manager and
muralist, in addition to serving as a Trustee. His first volunteer experience was
in his junior high school biology lab, where he initiated a project involving
tadpoles metamorphosis into frogs.
Jamie Runevitch
Dana Gisser Associate Director & Trustee
Jamie Runevitch
Jamie started following Herps Alive about seven years ago, and since then, her involvement with Herps Alive evolved. She transitioned from simply following their page to becoming a dedicated volunteer and now a trustee. Today, she lives with her axolotl Hippo, a leopard gecko named Dottie, two Havanese dogs, Carlito and Havana, and a revolving door of foster animals. Oh, and her husband too.
David Thompson II
Marv Gisser In Memoriam
David Thompson II
David Thompson II
Larry Veccia
Marv Gisser In Memoriam
David Thompson II
Larry Veccia
Marv Gisser In Memoriam
Marv Gisser In Memoriam
Marv Gisser In Memoriam
Founding Trustee:
August 1, 2013 to October 29, 2022
James Goldman In Memoriam
Marv Gisser In Memoriam
Marv Gisser In Memoriam
Trustee: January 1, 2017 to October 22, 2018
Founder & Executive Director
Keith Gisser
He doesn't always dress this way...
Keith caught a toad when he was nine and he never looked back.
A herpetology educator for over 40 years, taking his Herp Alive! Interactive Reptile Experience to venues in 36 states. As a service, he always took in people's unwanted reptiles.
In 2013 he spun off the rescue operation into a separate 501(c)3 public charity, The Herps Alive Foundation.
