Board of Directors

 Victoria Parker is an enrolled member of the Western Shoshone Tribe. She was raised on the Hungry Valley Reservation where she began rescuing dogs at an early age. Victoria joined the United States Army in 2003 as a military police officer and did two combat tours in Iraq from 2004-2005 and 2006-2008. After completing her active-duty contract, she became a drill sergeant in the US Army Reserve. While on Reserve status, she also completed her B.A. in Social Sciences with concentrations in criminal justice, psychology, and sociology. She moved to Montana in 2016 because of the large veteran population and open spaces. In 2019, she completed her 15 years of military service as a Senior Drill Sergeant then graduated from the Alexander Blewett III School of Law in 2020. Victoria opened Bitterroot Legal Services in 2022 to fill a gap in low-income legal service providers for Ravalli and Missoula County. She also works closely with Tribal members as a children's attorney in abuse and neglect cases, and as a victim's advocate in family law cases. She currently volunteers as a foster parent with ARC and accepted a nomination for President of the Board of Directors beginning in January 2025.  

   Growing up a member of the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) of the Flathead Nation in Ronan, Shane Morigeau has a very personal understanding of the needs, strengths, visions, challenges, and history of the People ARC serves. He has sought to serve the interests of his People through a budding political career, serving as member of the Montana House of Representatives (2017- 20) and the Montana Senate (2020-present). Sen. Morigeau graduated from the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana and the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona.  He has also served CSKT as an attorney.

Katrina Rhumland first came to ARC through fostering and transporting animals in need. She has been a beloved and valuable member of the Flathead Reservation community since 2012.

Her affinity for ARC stems from her deep love of animals and her compassion for people struggling with addiction and abuse. Eleven years of devoted service for the nonprofit Narcotics Anonymous has offered her valuable perspective on the transformational power of nonprofits. Katrina’s commitment to change has taken many forms, including serving on various statewide committees, most recently chairing the Public Relations Committee.

Katrina is also a talented artist, graduating with a BFA in Fine Art from the University of Montana in 1987. Holding both Art Education Certification and Special Education Certification, she served as Director of Very Special Arts Montana, an international non-profit that provided art opportunities to all aged people with mental, developmental, and physical disabilities. She also served on the Montana Art Educators Association board of directors.

Katrina’s compassion, forged through life experience, has made her a powerful and cherished advocate for justice, humanity, and healing for trauma victims, both human and animal.  She is another ARC board member with an ARC canine copilot, having recently adopted Geraldine.

Filip Panusz has spent roughly 15 years working on animal related issues in the nonprofit field.  He holds a B.S. in Wildlife Biology and an M.A. in Environmental Ethics.  He has served as Executive Director for three separate nonprofits including the Mission Valley Animal Shelter on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Filip feels drawn to nonprofit work that helps both animals and people - particularly those who have faced injustice or pain.

He lives with his beloved wife, daughter and a canine rescue in western Montana, where he arrived 30 years ago, seeking a freer, slower, and more genuine life that was down-to-earth and just a tad less civilized.

In the rare moments he finds for himself, Filip enjoys admiring the beauty of birds, wildlife, and remote wild landscapes.

  Ms. Welker was recently hired part-time to help ARC increase its funding via grants and other funding streams. She has 30 years experience working for non-profits in various capacities, most recently before retirement as executive director of a domestic and sexual violence advocacy program in Sanders County from 1995-2010. She holds a MHS in Health Sciences in rehabilitation counseling. She also finished the coursework for a 2nd master’s in sociology.

A passionate advocate for animals of all shapes and sizes, "Tootie's" introduction to ARC was through single-handedly fostering a litter of 11 puppies from birth to adoption!  She's been hooked ever since and is yet another adopted of a special ARC pooch.

Ms. Welker also holds a position on the Hot Springs Town Council.