Indiana (April 17th, 2007) - Indiana-PAW, one of the State's most visible animal welfare agencies, has expanded its leadership team for the second time in two months, in its continuing bid to help save homeless Hoosier pets from euthanasia. Just two months after tripling the size of the leadership of its flagship animal foster program, Indiana-PAW has now added an Education Coordinator to its volunteer staff.

Today, Indiana-PAW announced that Carolyn Valachovic-Monroe of Indianapolis has been named the agency's inaugural Education Coordinator. Valachovic-Monroe will work closely with Education Director Leslie Cox, and with the agency's Founder & Executive Director, Amy Van Ostrand, Esq. Her primary objective will be to increase the number of educational programs and speeches Indiana-PAW offers to local schools and adult service clubs, like Kiwanis and Rotary. The new executive appointment is effective immediately, and Valachovic-Monroe says she's ready to hit the ground running: "I'm thrilled to have joined Indiana-PAW, and I look forward to speaking to schools and adult groups across the State about how to be a responsible pet owner, and how to make a difference for homeless Hoosier pets." When asked if she is daunted by the prospect of a flood of requests for her to speak, Valachovic-Monroe responds, "Not a bit. I've volunteered with Indiana-PAW for years, and I welcome the opportunity to use my skills to make what I hope will be a sizeable contribution to this agency's tremendous work."

Amy Van Ostrand, Esq., Indiana-PAW's Founder & Executive Director, says the agency considered many candidates for the role of Education Coordinator, but that, "in the end, Valachovic-Monroe was the clear stand-out." Van Ostrand says, "Carolyn met and exceeded the expectations of our Board of Directors. She has a wealth of relevant animal knowledge, is an experienced public speaker, functions with the professionalism Indiana-PAW expects of its staff, and, as a long-time Indiana-PAW volunteer, knows our agency as intimately as many of our most tenured Board Members."

Valachovic-Monroe works for a healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to individuals receiving Medicaid benefits. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Social Work and a Masters in Business Administration, and is the mother to two kids and a houseful of animals. To read more about Valachovic-Monroe, visit www.indiana-paw.com.

Indiana-PAW is a 501(c)(3) non-profit all-volunteer organization dedicated to Indiana animal welfare education. Its mission is to use education and advocacy to reduce the number of companion animals who are euthanized in Indiana, and to cultivate in the community a sense of respect for the needs of those animals with whom we share our world. For more information, visit www.indiana-paw.com.