Celebrating Dr. Ashley Rice’s First Year at BMHS
Dr. Ashley Rice takes a moment to bond with Phoebus, one of our long-term shelter residents, in her office. As Medical Director, Dr. Rice ensures that every animal, especially those waiting the longest for a home, receives the care and compassion they deserve. Her dedication has transformed thousands of lives over the past year, including Phoebus’s, as he continues to thrive under her care.
This December, Blue Mountain Humane Society proudly celebrates the one-year anniversary of Dr. Ashley Rice as our Medical Director — and we’re inviting you to join the celebration with an incredible opportunity to double your impact. In honor of Dr. Rice’s remarkable first year, her parents, Peg Callaway and Chris Culp, have created a $1,500 matching fund through the Valley Giving Guide. Every gift made will be matched dollar-for-dollar, ensuring even more animals receive lifesaving medical care and a second chance at happiness.
Over the past year, Dr. Rice has brought extraordinary leadership, medical expertise, and compassion to her role, transforming the lives of thousands of animals who came to BMHS with no one else to turn to. Her work has inspired not only her colleagues but also the community, and we invite you to join us in honoring her remarkable contributions and celebrating this important milestone.
Dr. Rice’s commitment to animals goes back as far as her family can remember. Her mother recalls Ashley as a determined child who always carried a toy doctor kit, wrapping the family’s two Newfoundland dogs, Hoot and Abby, in makeshift bandages along with her brother, JJ, and a feline with the distinguished name of Carl the Courthouse Cat. “She was just four years old when she announced she was going to be an animal doctor, and she never wavered,” Peg says. By age nine, Ashley was already shadowing a mobile veterinarian, assisting with the care of everything from house pets to wildlife such as eagles and bobcats.
That passion eventually led Dr. Rice to veterinary school and private practice, but it was her volunteer work with BMHS’s Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program in 2015 that shifted her career path. “I love helping animals that wouldn’t otherwise be able to receive the care they so desperately need,” she says. “That’s when I realized I could truly make a difference in shelter medicine.”
Since joining BMHS as Medical Director in December 2023, Dr. Rice has done exactly that. In her first year, she has overseen the shelter’s medical program, performing more than 3,140 spay and neuter surgeries to help reduce pet overpopulation and improve community animal welfare. Under her care, dozens of sick or injured animals have received lifesaving treatment, preparing them for adoption into loving homes. Her leadership in the TNR program has resulted in the spaying or neutering of about 225 feral or community cats, preventing thousands of future homeless litters.
One of the animals whose life she changed was Gus, a dog who came to BMHS in critical condition. “Gus was on death’s doorstep,” Dr. Rice recalls. “His back end was infested with maggots, his teeth were rotten, and he was in congestive heart failure. He could barely breathe. He wasn’t going to survive without urgent medical intervention.” Thanks to Dr. Rice’s expertise and the BMHS team’s care, Gus made a full recovery and was adopted into a loving home. “Knowing that we gave him a second chance is an incredible feeling,” she says. “Gus is the reason I do this work.”
Her approach to shelter medicine goes beyond physical healing. Dr. Rice believes every animal deserves not only medical care but also love and compassion, especially those who come to BMHS after experiencing neglect or trauma. “I want every animal to feel loved, because so many come to us never knowing that feeling,” she says. Whether it’s walking a dog to give them a break from the kennel or sitting quietly with a nervous cat to make them feel safe, she ensures every animal is treated with dignity and kindness.
Blue Mountain Humane Society CEO Dian Ver Valen says Dr. Rice has brought new energy and focus to the organization’s medical program. “Dr. Rice is a gifted veterinarian, and her leadership has transformed the level of care we can provide,” Ver Valen says. “She has already helped thousands of animals receive the treatment they need, while inspiring the team and our community with her compassion and dedication. Her work reflects everything we strive for as an organization, and we are so proud to celebrate her first year with us.”
Inspired by Dr. Rice’s achievements and the lives she has touched, her parents, Peg Callaway and Chris Culp, have created a $1,500 matching fund through the Valley Giving Guide to honor her first year as Medical Director. “Ashley’s work is a testament to her lifelong passion for animals and her determination to give them the care and love they deserve,” Peg says. “She’s dedicated her life to helping animals, and we are proud to support the organization that has allowed her to make such an extraordinary impact.”
This matching fund will double the impact of every gift made through the Valley Giving Guide, ensuring that even more animals like Gus receive lifesaving medical care and a second chance at happiness.
Dr. Rice says the challenging days in shelter medicine are always worth it when she sees an animal heal, wag their tail for the first time, or curl up safely in a new home. “It’s not easy, and it can be heartbreaking at times,” she says. “But seeing an animal thrive reminds me why I keep coming back. It’s all for the animals.”
This December, we invite you to join us in celebrating Dr. Ashley Rice’s incredible first year at Blue Mountain Humane Society. Her leadership, expertise, and compassion have transformed the lives of thousands of animals and inspired the people who care for them. Together, we can honor her dedication and ensure that her lifesaving work continues for years to come.
To join the celebration and support the work of BMHS, visit Valley Giving Guide. Your gift will honor Dr. Rice’s incredible impact while providing the care, compassion, and second chances that every animal deserves. Together, we can continue changing lives — one paw at a time.
