We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kyle Simmons a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kyle , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

I don’t own this company, but I work for a nonprofit whose mission aligns 100% with what I stand for. At Almost There Rescue, our mission is to save mama dogs and their puppies, provide care and enrichment, and find them loving, forever homes.
Living in a state like Arizona, where stray animals are a significant problem, and the number of dogs entering county shelters is overwhelming, specializing in a niche like moms and puppies makes a tremendous impact. By focusing on these cases, we’re able to relieve pressure on other rescues and organizations, allowing them to dedicate their resources to other dogs in need. Meanwhile, we ensure that mama dogs and their puppies receive the medical care they need and are raised surrounded by love and compassion.
Having spent many years working in the county shelter, I witnessed firsthand the challenges these animals face and had the privilege of working alongside Almost There Rescue. Now, being part of this incredible organization is genuinely heartwarming. Helping mamas and their babies get off the streets or out of harm’s way and ensuring they’re safe, healthy, and flourishing is undoubtedly the most fulfilling job I could imagine.
We take immense pride in supporting mama dogs after they’ve given birth. We ensure they feel loved, cared for, and valued—not just as mothers but as individual dogs deserving of affection and attention. Once everyone—mamas and puppies—are old enough and spayed or neutered, we work tirelessly to find them their forever homes.
Each adoption is a thoughtful process. We spend quality time with every adopter, learning about their needs and lifestyle, and carefully match them with the right puppy or mama. This personalized approach ensures a bright future for both the families and the dogs.
Being part of this mission is more than a job; it’s a purpose. I’m incredibly proud of knowing we’re making a real difference in the lives of these animals and in our community.

Kyle , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Being the crazy animal person that I am, in 2017, my husband and I were on vacation in Maui when we discovered an amazing program at their Humane Society. They allowed visitors to take a dog out for the day, and we were paired with Duke, a 7-year-old pit bull mix.

We had the best day with Duke—taking him for a puppuccino, shopping for treats at PetSmart, and relaxing at the beach. By the end of our trip, we were completely smitten and even looked into how we could fly him home with us.

When we returned home, I couldn’t stop thinking about that experience. I knew I wanted to be part of a program that gave dogs like Duke a chance to shine outside the shelter. As if by fate, the shelter I was working at had an opening in the Foster Department. I jumped at the opportunity and let my passion fuel me to grow the program, even navigating its challenges during the pandemic.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Running volunteer and foster programs requires dedication to maintaining morale and engagement, which are critical to our organization’s success. At Almost There Rescue, transparency is a core value that we take immense pride in. We work tirelessly to ensure our volunteers and fosters are always informed about what’s happening within our shelter walls.

This commitment to openness has allowed us to build strong bonds of trust within our teams. Our volunteers and fosters know they are valued, and they feel confident asking questions or raising concerns. Just as importantly, they feel empowered to advocate for us because they are consistently kept in the loop and understand the work we do.

By fostering this culture of trust and communication, we create a supportive environment where everyone—staff, volunteers, and fosters—feels like an integral part of our mission to save moms and pups and find them loving, forever homes.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to work with animals. Like many kids, I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. But as life often goes, things didn’t follow a straight path.

One summer night in 2013, my husband and I found ourselves reflecting on our lives. We were working dead-end jobs, raising two kids, and longing for something better for our family. That night, we decided it was time for a big change. Without hesitation, we took a leap of faith and enrolled in college for the fall semester.

Balancing full-time jobs, two kids, and school was anything but easy, but we were determined to create a brighter future. Thanks to the unwavering support of our family, we made it through. In May 2017, I proudly graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences. By August, I had landed my first job in the field I was passionate about—as an Animal Health Technician at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control.

My journey with animals truly took off from there. I poured my heart into my work, and as my passion and dedication grew, so did the opportunities that came my way. In 2024, I was honored to step into the role of Volunteer and Foster Director with Almost There Rescue. This position has allowed me to combine my deep love for animals with my drive to inspire and empower others to make a meaningful difference. Working with this incredible team of animal lovers and advocates makes every sleepless night spent studying chemistry and animal behavior worth it. I couldn’t be happier with the path I’ve chosen.

Looking back, that pivotal night in 2013 changed everything. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come and grateful for the chance to live my dream every day—helping animals and the people who care for them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.almostthererescue.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_von_shimmer/ – https://www.instagram.com/almostthererescue/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyle.simmons.927 – https://www.facebook.com/almostthererescue
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-simmons-b31738247/

Image Credits

Ryan Simmons (husband)