OUR STAFF

Blythe Wheaton - Co-Founder & Executive Director
Whole-heartedly dedicated to the cause, Blythe Wheaton, wife of Dr. Wheaton was inspired by constantly hearing her husband's heart wrenching stories of family struggles with pet traumas. Coinciding with the increasing needs for community awareness of conservation and effective solutions to overpopulation management, the signs were too strong to ignore that there was a need to take on the advocacy of the dogs and cats in our communities. Bachelors Degreed in Psychology from Northern Arizona University, she possesses the drive and know how to read people, connect with them personally inevitably tugging their heart-strings with her vision and purpose. In addition, her natural born talents to create strong marketing perspectives and a fresh and original program have been an incredible asset to The Pet Rescue Center. Blythe has been the innovator of The Pet Rescue Centers image and keeps it all in perspective. Being a doctors wife, mother of three kids all the while finding time to maintain our mission and goals, coordinating events and constantly getting the word out about us, Blythe elegantly and gracefully manages to balance it all extremely well.

Matthew Wheaton, DVM - Co-Founder, Board President & Medical Director
Dr. Wheaton is a second generation veterinarian who was born and raised in Laguna Beach, California. His father, Dr. Jack Wheaton, owned Corona Del Mar Animal Hospital for 25 years and after a brief retirement, opened Aliso Animal Clinic in South Laguna Beach. After graduation from UC Davis, Dr. Wheaton completed a rigorous internship program at California Animal Hospital in West Los Angeles. He purchased Alicia Pet Clinic after 3 years at Animal Urgent Care and has been the Hospital Director ever since. Alicia Pet Clinic expanded to a new site in the Spring of 2008, becoming Alicia Pet Care Center, a premier veterinary facility in the OC. The PRC has enabled Dr. Wheaton to realize his goal of helping pets in almost every aspect of their life, from veterinary care and rescue to creating new families.

Casey Oliver, R.V.T. - Director of Operations
Casey grew up in Temecula, and has been an OC resident for 8 years. As a child her family always had at least 5 rescue dogs in their home and the occasional turtle, pig or goose. She had always known she wanted to work with animals and started managing a groom shop at 16. She moved to Orange County after the birth of her daughter Anjolie and started working for Alicia Pet Care Center in February 2005 as a kennel attendant. During the same year she was also working for Irvine Animal Shelter learning about shelter dogs and getting them into good homes. She eventually left to go back to school to become a registered veterinary technician for Alicia Pet Care Center. She quickly proved that she could handle more  than her kennel position and was moved up to a nurses position that same year. Casey attended The Professional Veterinary Assistant School in 2007 and graduated in 2009. She then passed the required exam to become a licensed vet tech.
Casey has always loved and supported The Pet Rescue Center from its beginning, volunteer her free time to help with adoption events and finding families for the dogs she would get particularly attatched to. She believes her tech skills will help rehabilitate The PRC animals more efficiently and that by truly getting to know them she can find them the best home possible. She is thrilled in her new position as director of operations and is confident that she will help continue the success and growth of The PRC.
When Casey is not working she enjoys spending time with her family in Dana Point. Her two dogs - Alice and Sky, adopted from The PRC, take up most of her extra puppy loving time. Extra hobbies include going to concerts, painting and reading horror novels.

Marianne Lanting - Web Administrator
From the very start Marianne volunteered at every event for the first year of The PRC's introduction and development, all the while designing graphics under the direction of Executive Director, and very dear friend, Blythe Wheaton. With a new born baby boy in tow at every event, it was a joy to watch pets find homes, as it was a life long dream to be able to work with pets.
As a child she dreamt of having a dog but allergies kept it far from an option...until she married a pet lovin' man, Josh Lanting and got an Aussie inspired by Dr. Wheaton's own dog "Punch". With over 13 years of experience in graphic art in both print and web design, a BA in Fashion Merchandising and another BA in Textiles and Clothing Design from California State University Long Beach, she dedicated herself to a career in fashion from design assistant in surfwear to product developer in contemporary women's wear. There after, she started her own label of couture bridal gowns, Marianne Lanting Couture, which lasted 5 years before she decided that being a mom was much more fulfilling than designing and manufacturing fluffy dresses. She & Josh now have two beautiful boys, Clark & Levi and two fluffy dogs, Bella (the Aussie) & Lola (PRC Rescued Pomeranian April 2009).
Marianne has been an integral part of constructing our image from the very start. Her abilities and talents have given us a fresh, playful look that consistently markets our pets and our organization to gain much deserved attention. We are fortunate to have her and will keep her as long as she lets us.

Josh Lanting - Chief Financial Officer
Long time friend of the Wheaton family, Josh received the rare opportunity to be a integral part of the start up of a very worthy cause, The Pet Rescue Center. With a recent background in Property Management and Corporate Office Management he was a more than qualified candidate of the position. Growing up in Mission Viejo, CA in a family that could not turn away a stray, and that bred Cats, German Shepherds and Akitas, Josh already had a strong passion for animals. With his first job at age 15 at Petco, who knew his life would come full circle. In December 2007, Josh was submerged in the animal rescue world with the hands on guidance of Dr. Wheaton. Josh has enabled The Pet Rescue Center to function properly and smoothly throughout our evolution and start up, with his "do it all" persona, he makes it possible to envision a very successful future.

Jan Henry - Director of Development
After adopting Monty, a black lab mix, from The Pet Rescue Center in March of 2011, Jan became very committed to supporting the cause of animal rescue. A few months later, when the call went out for a volunteer to help with development, Jan responded and was excited to put her college degree (Non-profit Agency Administration) to good use!  Jan assisted Executive Director Blythe Wheaton in soliciting donations for the 2011 Providing Shelter Benefit and has continued to be an integral part of the team, volunteering at various events and helping to secure donations for multiple fundraising endeavors. She possesses strong administrative and communication skills and has been invaluable in her role as Director of Development for The Pet Rescue Center.
Having Monty join their family has been a life-changing experience. And understanding that he was scheduled to be euthanized when he was saved by The PRC, has given Jan a true heart for supporting our efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home dogs and cats.
Jan grew up in Northern California, but has lived in Orange County since 1988. She enjoys spending time with her husband and boys, and of course, taking long walks with Monty.

Adam J. Deutsch - Financial Advisor
Vice President - Wealth Management
Adam recently moved to Laguna Beach from Columbus, Ohio with his wife Kristi, and their three cats.  He has been in the financial services industry since 2005.  Currently a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, he began his career as a tax attorney specializing in estate planning, partnership taxation and helping charitable organizations with all aspects of their non-profit status.    Adam has an undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama, a law degree from The Ohio State University, and he a master’s in taxation from the University of Florida.
 
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
28202 Cabot Rd., Suite 500
Laguna Niguel, CA  92677

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