Our Mission
The Rescue Group Is Named In Memory of Corporal Casey Owens
I met Corporal Casey Owen when I worked for the WCOFF in 2005 and 2007 (World Champion of Fantasy Football). He was a selected “Wounded Warrior” to come out as our guest and have a good time with passionate fantasy drafters. Corporal Owens arrived in 2004 in a wheel chair just 11 months after he was critically injured in Iraq.
I stayed in touch with Casey for many years. He would reach out to update me on his recovery, which was an ongoing challenge for Casey (as you might expect). But Casey used his experience to help others. He testified in front of Congress about the poor conditions at Walter Reed Vet Hospital. His testimony helped improve conditions for thousands of other wounded soldiers.
On October 16, 2014, Casey’s struggle became too much to bear. Tragically, he ended his life alone in his apartment. I had lost touch with him around 2013, and found out he was gone a couple years later. For a long time, I knew I needed to do something in his honor.
Granted, Casey was not a person in my daily life. But he left a life-long impression with his bravery and love for his country. And I knew he had a beautiful rescue dog, “Harold the Wonder Dog,” as Casey called him.
I thought of possibly setting up a foundation, but that did not speak to me like my love to help rescue dogs. So I have paired this admiration for Casey and passion for rescue dogs, and have formed a non-for profit, 501c3. Our labor of love will be an honoring tribute to my friend, Casey.
— Chris Lambert, Founder
More About Casey
Corporal Casey Owens USMC (Ret.)
Born c. 1981 in Houston, Texas | Died October 15, 2014 in Aspen, Colorado
Casey was a United States Marine, Iraq War veteran, and paralympicathlete from Houston, Texas, United States, famed for his feats of completing marathons in a wheelchair after his legs were amputated for injuries received while on a rescue mission during the Iraq War.
Injury and Accomplishments
Corporal Owens deployed for a second tour in Al Anbar Province Iraq August 2004. On Sept. 20, 2004, while responding to a wounded Marine, his vehicle struck two anti-tank mines, which resulted in severe injuries to his legs. After being airlifted to and stabilized at a Field Hospital, Owens was transferred to Landstuhl, Germany. Tragically, his injuries resulted in the amputation of his right leg above the knee and his left leg below the knee. Corporal Owens eventually returned to the United States to undergo extensive multiple surgeries and rehabilitation at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to losing both legs, his injuries included a broken jaw and collarbone, shrapnel wounds, collapsed lungs, blood clots in the lungs.
The muscle and skin flaps on his amputation stumps failed to close properly and resulted in non-healing wounds. Corporal Owens said he subsequently underwent repeated amputations which further reduced the size of his stumps while a patient at VA and military hospitals. Through the help of several charitable organizations and private pay from his own pocket, Owens received hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment in New Orleans, Louisiana by Dr. Paul Harch MD. Owens later testified before the United States Congress in hearings regarding the poor quality of care and "bureaucratic maze" that military personnel must navigate in order to receive medical care from the VA.
After a return to college, which proved unsuccessful due to Traumatic Brain Injury, Corporal Owens became an accomplished paralympian skier and marathon runner in the paralympic games.
Meet The Team
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Chris Lambert
FOUNDER
Chris had volunteered driving for ECPAWS for 6 years. She has had hundreds of dogs in her own vehicle. In 2021, she saw a need to purchase a shuttle, and the rest is now history. She’s even been featured in Roc55 Magazine for her efforts with CTTR.
Her full time job when she is not volunteering for CTTR is a customer service representative for a Fantasy Football site: The Fantasy Football Players Championship
Proud parent of two adult girls, Courtney & Aimee. Even prouder Grandma (“Cookie” & “Poppa”) to twin girls, Sloan and Quinn, age 5. -
Joan Burke Bennett
CO-PILOT
I first started volunteering with rescue dog transport as an overnight foster. Giving a rescue dog a place to spend the night while they continue on their journey to a forever home. It was an easy 12 hours and the dogs were so relieved to decompress a bit in a home setting. Just a bed and a meal is all that was needed. Then my husband and I heard drivers were desperately needed on Saturday night to bring these dogs to Syracuse from points east. Again, it was an easy way to help and being empty nesters with busy schedules, we enjoyed the time together driving. Then we heard about Casey to the Rescue -- a dedicated rescue bus bringing over 30 dogs, cats and puppies to Syracuse from high kill shelters. Some dogs are scared, some are “chatty.” Most are just happy. The ride in the bus is an affirmation that you can make a difference. Casey to the Rescue helps make that happen. It takes a lot of coordination and “behind the scenes” work prior to the trip. The payoff when you see that the dogs and cats have found their forever home and are happily living their best lives makes it all worth it.
...And then it is on to the next transport because the need is always there.
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Kathy McClare
CO-PILOT
Yes, it all started when I was 4 yrs old. I’d pretend to be a dog because my parents said no to getting one. I was 6 when I think I wore them down 😂 We adopted Bonnie, a cocker spaniel. She was the catalyst for adopting several more dogs, and cats, over the decades. I probably can’t take credit for adopting Bonnie but I’m sure my parents were happy I wasn’t acting like a dog anymore! That was 1972! Today, Yukio, Bernie and Strider share their lives with me. Rescued and adopted, these three are lovin’ life! Smitten ~ I had a little petcare service at age 12. From then on, my love for animals flourished. In 2019, I responded to a request to overnight 12 puppies with ECPT. I was “hooked.” Overnight hosting led to co-piloting with CTTR!! CTTR’s positive impact extends beyond the physical transport. The animals get more visibility. That leads to greater success of adoptions! Family ~ My daughter is an amazing Hardcore/Metalcore Tour and Merchandise Manager. She’s traveled cross country and overseas several times. My son is getting started with his Journalism and Philosophy degree. He has some cool opportunities on the horizon. My livelihood ~ I help people get healthy, stop the diet and exercise loop or enhance their wellness level even more. Together we create their ultimate health. Seeing them thrive, can’t beat it!! Curious minds, here’s my link: https://form.jotform.com/McClare/kathy-mcclar -
Carmel O’Kane
VOLUNTEER DRIVER
Frequently the co-pilot of the transport, Carmel is a determined Irishwoman who came to the US in 1996 and has just retired from a lifelong career as a supply chain professional.
Carmel has transported with ECPaws for over 8 years. An avid gardener and animal lover, she lives with her husband Pat and two beautiful rescues, Annabelle the Great Dane and Seamus the Hound. Carmel adopted Seamus from one of our transport trips.
She is very passionate about this rescue operation and takes great joy in seeing these beautiful sad lost souls find their forever home.
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Christalyn Duff
WEB-PAWMASTER
Christalyn has been passionate about rescue animals since adopting her first rescue, Maggie in 2019. A year later, another rescue — Zorro joined the pack. Since then, she began volunteering as a dog walker at a local shelter (if she can’t adopt more dogs, she’ll go to them and help them on their way).Her full time job is a UI-UX Designer at Accelerate Media. CTTR is a wonderful chance to use all her skills and passions in one place.
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Sue Jackson
RAINBOW BRIDGE VOLUNTEER DRIVER
In memory of a wonderful volunteer who passed away unexpectedly in October 2022. She began driving for ECPAWS five and a half years ago when Chris reached out for some one to fill in for one transport. Since 2017, she transported most weekends. She was always passionate about all creatures and, even as a young child, took in and cared for all the stray cats that came her way. Her dream was to one day retire and devote all her time to animal rescue and welfare.
Advisory Board
Jo Ann Campbell
Lisa Hauf
Christine Schantz
Help make a difference.
We happily do the heavy lifting and long road trips, but we can always use donations to cover the cost of gas and shuttle maintenance. Any amount is graciously accepted.