By day, Kelly Height is a Director of Curriculum and Instruction, advocating for students and championing the value of career and technical education. 

       Her passion for rescue began more than a decade ago when she adopted Dolly, a dog who changed her life forever. Since then, Kelly has fostered dogs in need, volunteered countless hours, and developed a deep love for giving second chances to those often overlooked. 

      Kelly has a special place in her heart for the underdog. She often says that children and animals have more in common than we realize—both thrive when someone believes in them and refuses to give up on them.

      After adopting Macaroni (Mac), a senior deaf dog who had been overlooked by so many, Kelly experienced firsthand the joy, resilience, and unconditional love that senior dogs have to offer. When Mac passed away, she made a promise that his story would not end there. In his honor, she founded Height of Hope Senior Dog Rescue, dedicated to giving senior dogs the second chances they deserve and ensuring that no senior dog is forgotten simply because of their age or special needs.

       Today, Height of Hope stands as Mac's legacy—a rescue built on compassion, hope, and the belief that every dog deserves to be loved, no matter how many candles are on their birthday cake. 

        Jess Carter is a clinician and passionate animal advocate.  With a deep commitment to helping vulnerable animals, Jess is dedicated to supporting the rescue’s mission of providing senior dogs with loving homes, compassionate care, and the dignity they deserve in their later years.

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        In her professional role within the behavioral health field, Jess brings strong skills in empathy, advocacy, and community support, which she carries into her work with the rescue.  She is especially passionate about raising awareness for senior dogs, who are often overlooked despite their incredible capacity for love and companionship.

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        Jess is honored to contribute to an organization that values compassion, second chances, and the belief that every dog, regardless of age, deserves a safe, loving home.

        Jill Ippolito brings both compassion and dedication to the senior dog rescue community. By profession, she is an international and U.S. intellectual property paralegal, but her heart has always belonged to animals — especially senior dogs.

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        Throughout her life, Jill has opened her home and heart to several older dogs, believing deeply that their golden years deserve comfort, dignity, and unconditional love.  She and her husband, Jesse, currently share their home with three beloved pups: Lily, a spirited 6-year-old shepherd mix; Seamus, a gentle 14-year-old mutt; and Hank, a playful 1½-year-old mutt.

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        Together, Jill and her husband are committed to advocating for senior dogs and ensuring they receive the second chances and loving homes they so greatly deserve.

      Kelly Newkirk is a paralegal by profession and an animal lover at heart. Since adopting her first dog in 2011, she has been deeply involved in the animal rescue community. Over the years, she has fostered both dogs and cats, dedicating her time and care to animals in need. She has also served as a medical foster and fospice provider, offering specialized support for animals with medical challenges as they transition toward permanent homes or compassionate end-of-life care in their final days.  She is also a volunteer at the Associated Humane Societies Newark, where she met Chance and Jax, her two precious pups.​

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       Kelly has a soft spot for senior dogs and is passionate about helping silver-faced pups find loving homes where they can enjoy comfort, companionship, and dignity in their golden years.

     Sabrina is a dedicated volunteer at Associated Humane Societies Newark, where her favorite weekend activity is walking dogs up and down Evergreen Avenue—always advocating for the underdog and providing comfort, support, and love as they wait for their forever homes.

    Sabrina will serve as our Newark Liaison. Through her volunteer work, she spends countless hours helping shelter dogs find rescue placement, foster homes, and forever families. Her deep connection to the dogs at Newark and unwavering commitment to giving them a second chance make her an invaluable part of our mission.

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    She lives with her rescue dogs, Cleo and Dusty (an AHS Newark alum), her three cats, and a revolving door of foster kittens. She is thrilled to join Height of Hope Senior Dog Rescue and looks forward to making an even greater impact on the dogs who need us most.

     Courtney Goodman is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a background in dog training. She lives with her wife, dogs, and cats in Yardley, PA. She received her Bachelors degree is Developmental Psychology from TCNJ and her Masters in Applied Psychology at Rider University. 

     Courtney serves as our Trenton liaison as she volunteers her free time helping dogs at the Trenton Animal Shelter find rescue placement and forever homes. She also helps out with our web design.

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     Courtney currently has two senior dogs of her own and is passionate about finding homes for those that are often overlooked in the shelter.