Brooke Schneider

Founder/President

Brooke Schneider is the founder and CEO of Hope Lives Here. Prior to pursuing her passion of working with Veterans and service animals, she was an elementary school teacher for 15 years. Brooke received her education from West Texas A&M University, where she played basketball on the women’s collegiate team. She has an undergrad in education and kinesiology, and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies. 

Her passion for animals began after she saved a dog named Harley. Shortly after his death, she decided to use their story to help others. She attended Animal Behavior College and interned for Paws and Stripes in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2016. 

In her position as CEO, Brooke is involved in the day-to-day activities at Hope Lives Here. She conducts the Veteran’s enrollment process, screens potential service dogs, and plays a key role in dog selection. Brooke is also the lead dog trainer. 

Brooke is an advocate for Veterans, shelter dogs, and children. She is very dedicated to serving others because of her Christian values. Her hobbies include writing children’s books, running, gardening, and reading. Brooke has three rescued dogs of her own, Annie, James and Memphis. 

Nena Ayres

Director of Operations

Hope Lives Here is excited to announce our newest addition, Nena Ayres. She was born and raised in Brownwood, Texas where she enjoyed camping and fishing with family. She moved to Amarillo, Texas in 2003 where she met her now husband of 16 years, Gary Ayres Jr.; together they share 3 dogs, Jet, Cooper, and Huk.

Prior to joining the Hope Lives Here team, she worked for Corebridge Financial, formally known as AIG for 12 years as a Retirement specialist for resolutions of varied experiences.



With Nena’s passion for Veterans and rescuing Dogs, she joined the Hope Lives Here Board of Directors in 2019 as Secretary of the Board.

We are excited to have her a part of our Team!

Carl Blanton II

Service Dog Trainer/IT Specialist

Originally from a small town located an hour south of Savannah, Georgia, Carl enlisted in the army just 13 days after completing high school. However, after serving for five years and one deployment to Afghanistan, Carl was medically retired. 

Shortly before his deployment to Afghanistan, he was introduced to Tawcha through her brother who was Carl's battle buddy down range. After returning from deployment, they were reintroduced and that's when they hit it off. 

Carl is a devoted husband to his wife, Tawcha, and a loving father to his two children, Grayson and Chandler, aged 2 and 4. He finds joy in being a dad, spending quality time with his family, watching sports, and listening to music. 

Carl and his wife moved to Amarillo in 2018 to assist in taking care of her grandparents, as they were developing health problems. Carl worked at the local mortuary for five years, before finding his home at Hope Lives Here.

Board Of Directors

 Brooke Schneider – President

Joey Avey – Vice President

Nena Ayres – Secretary 

Heather Hancock – Treasurer

 Jeremy Scott - Board Member

Barbara Schneider – Board Member

Ben Bentley – Board Member 

 Dr. Robert Ballinger – Board Member

Brandon Whitney – Board Member

Laura Eubanks – Board Member

Jesus Gonzales – Board Member

Jay Eubanks - Board Member

Community

Join the cause. Our mission is to save the lives of shelter dogs in our community and pair them with a Veteran to create a lifelong partnership. Training service dogs is expensive and the success of our organization relies on  generous donors who support our cause. Please consider helping today and donate here.