Meet our Board Members
Dave Norris -
President
This rescue has the best volunteers and a razor-sharp focus on our mission statement: no pug left behind. Some of the rescues we complete as a village are nearly unbelievable, yet we do it month after month.
I began volunteering with the Rescue in 2013, starting as an event photographer. Years later, after I took management of all online adoptable listings, I joined the board and became the Marketing Director. And I am now honored to be President. I have adopted four senior pugs from PRA, each of them having a huge, positive impact on my life. Our pugs, volunteers and donors are, simply put, wonderful.
Debbie Pruitt -
Vice President, Foster and Adoption Director
Debbie Pruitt joined the Board in May 2017. A native Texan with nearly 20 years of experience in the property and casualty insurance industry, she is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and the University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio). As a lifelong animal lover, she has owned many pets, including cats, dogs, rabbits, snakes and frogs. After bringing home her first two pugs in 2003 she quickly became a pug person and now can't imagine life without pugs. She became involved with Pug Rescue of Austin in July 2016 as a foster, after losing one of her beloved senior pugs. It didn't take long to 'foster fail' with her sweet boy, Nugget. Wanting to do more with PRA, she volunteered as an application screener and later began hosting adoption events in San Antonio. She currently serves as the foster and adoption director and loves helping to connect pugs and people. She adopted her lovely girl Velvet from PRA in March 2017 and is trying hard to resist adopting more pugs!
Bryan Wittman -
Director, Secretary, and Contract Coordinator
Bryan Wittman has been a member of the Board of Directors of Pug Rescue of Austin since September 2012 and also serves as its Secretary. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and Harvard Law School and has been a practicing attorney for more than 20 years. Bryan has volunteered with animal welfare organizations since 1994, often providing pro bono legal services, and has been involved with Pug Rescue of Austin since 2009. Bryan has three senior pug ladies, Salli (14), Anna (12) and Rosie (10).
Deanna Dahl -
Special Events & Fundraising
Deanna joined the board in January 2023. Deanna graduated from Texas A&M University College Station and earned a Master's degree at the University of Texas at Austin.
Deanna grew up on a ranch in rural Texas and always had big dogs. Deanna fell in love with pugs and their big personalities when she met her husband's pug and quickly realized that she'd always be owned by a pug.
Deanna started volunteering doing screening, home visits and running adoption events after adopting her first PRA dog in 2011 and expanded to fostering in 2012. Deanna and her husband have fostered around 100 dogs since then, many with medical or behavioral needs.
Deanna has served as the adoption/screening coordinator and has been the event lead or co-chair on numerous special events as well as coordinating the online auction fundraising events since 2022.
Amy Johnson-Carney -
Social Media Lead
Amy began her career in the veterinary field in 2005 which ultimately led her getting involved with rescue and fostering after seeing the great need. Growing up with collies, she started with collie rescue in 2008. However, her background in veterinary medicine and passion for medical needs fostering led her to join Pug Rescue of Austin in January 2015 due to the unique health care needs of pugs.
Amy is deeply passionate about helping both people and pets. She believes that pets enrich our lives immensely and deserve our utmost care in return. Pugs hold a special place in Amy’s heart for their funny, sweet, and loyal dispositions. Their tenacity is almost unsurpassed, especially if a treat is involved!
Alongside her work with Pug Rescue of Austin, Amy remains active in the collie rescue community. Through volunteering, networking, fostering, and educating the community on responsible pet ownership and care, she hopes to make a positive difference in as many pets' lives as she can.