Meet the People
The Sanctuary Team & Volunteers
Running an animal sanctuary of this size requires expertise, care, and full-time dedication around the clock. Our 25-member staff team provides medical care, grooming, and support for our animals day and night.
We are supported by around 40 volunteer dog walkers who ensure our animals get their necessary exercise and loving attention daily.
For this tireless commitment, the “De Hun’nenhoff” Foundation was awarded the German Animal Welfare Prize in 2020. In 2025, it received the Lower Saxony Volunteer Award, and in 2026, the Federal Cross of Merit was bestowed upon the founder, Dr. Usha Peters.
Sanctuary Management
Ramona Klein
Jana Soltau
Susi Higgins
We Thank Our Sponsors
Meet the Team
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Farm Manager
Ramona Klein
Animals have captured my heart for as long as I can remember. I was born and raised in the Westerwald region of Rhineland-Palatinate – and even though I wasn’t allowed to have a pet of my own as a child because my father was afraid of animals, I always found a way to be close to them.
So I spent a lot of time with relatives and friends who had animals, or spent entire days at the riding stables. Whether horses, dogs, cats, or mice – it really didn’t matter. The main thing was that animals were around me.
When I finally moved out of home, the very first thing I did was fulfill a long-held wish: my own dog. He was able to accompany me for twelve wonderful years. He was an important part of my life – and his passing ultimately became a turning point.
Up to that point, I had worked in elder care for 18 years. It was work with people that gave me a lot and shaped who I am. But after losing my dog, I asked myself the fundamental question once again: what do I really want to do? I actually knew the answer since my childhood: to work with animals. So I took a leap into a new career path and completed training as a veterinary assistant, which I successfully finished in 2021.
Working in a veterinary clinic was interesting and important, yet over time I realized that something was missing: being close to the animals, truly getting to know them, accompanying them over a longer period of time, and building a relationship with them. And then, one evening, that one TV feature came on.
I saw a report about De Hun’nenhoff and was deeply moved by what I saw there. By the many handicapped dogs, by their zest for life – and by the people who do everything to give them a good life. I sat in front of the TV with tears in my eyes. The thought just wouldn’t let me go. So I thought to myself: I’ll simply try my luck.
I sent an application to Hun’nenhoff, came for a trial workday – and was accepted. That meant a pretty big decision was suddenly ahead of me, as the farm wasn’t exactly around the corner. I packed my things, left the Westerwald behind, and moved to the Lüneburg Heath to work at De Hun’nenhoff.
I haven’t regretted this decision for a single day.
Today, I am the farm manager and, together with our team, carry responsibility for all the animals living with us. For me, this is far more than just a job. Our charges steal your heart, each with their own story, their own character, and their very special needs. They have become a part of my life.
Of course, there are days that are exhausting, and situations that demand a lot from us emotionally. But then you experience the joy of our dogs, see a small piece of progress, or look into the eyes of an animal that, despite everything, is full of trust and joy of living.
Animals have captured my heart for as long as I can remember. I was born and raised in the Westerwald region of Rhineland-Palatinate – and even though I wasn’t allowed to have a pet of my own as a child because my father was afraid of animals, I always found a way to be close to them.
So I spent a lot of time with relatives and friends who had animals, or spent entire days at the riding stables. Whether horses, dogs, cats, or mice – it really didn’t matter. The main thing was that animals were around me.
When I finally moved out of home, the very first thing I did was fulfill a long-held wish: my own dog. He was able to accompany me for twelve wonderful years. He was an important part of my life – and his passing ultimately became a turning point.
Up to that point, I had worked in elder care for 18 years. It was work with people that gave me a lot and shaped who I am. But after losing my dog, I asked myself the fundamental question once again: what do I really want to do? I actually knew the answer since my childhood: to work with animals. So I took a leap into a new career path and completed training as a veterinary assistant, which I successfully finished in 2021.
Working in a veterinary clinic was interesting and important, yet over time I realized that something was missing: being close to the animals, truly getting to know them, accompanying them over a longer period of time, and building a relationship with them. And then, one evening, that one TV feature came on.
I saw a report about De Hun’nenhoff and was deeply moved by what I saw there. By the many handicapped dogs, by their zest for life – and by the people who do everything to give them a good life. I sat in front of the TV with tears in my eyes. The thought just wouldn’t let me go. So I thought to myself: I’ll simply try my luck.
I sent an application to Hun’nenhoff, came for a trial workday – and was accepted. That meant a pretty big decision was suddenly ahead of me, as the farm wasn’t exactly around the corner. I packed my things, left the Westerwald behind, and moved to the Lüneburg Heath to work at De Hun’nenhoff.
I haven’t regretted this decision for a single day.
Today, I am the farm manager and, together with our team, carry responsibility for all the animals living with us. For me, this is far more than just a job. Our charges steal your heart, each with their own story, their own character, and their very special needs. They have become a part of my life.
Of course, there are days that are exhausting, and situations that demand a lot from us emotionally. But then you experience the joy of our dogs, see a small piece of progress, or look into the eyes of an animal that, despite everything, is full of trust and joy of living.
Deputy Farm Manager
Jana Soltau
Dogs have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up with them, and even as a child, it was clear to me: someday, I want to work with dogs.
Of course, I couldn’t have known then that this wish would one day lead me to De Hun’nenhoff.
Almost four years ago, I received a post via Instagram. De Hun’nenhoff was looking for an animal caretaker. I didn’t know the farm very well at the time, but something immediately appealed to me. I wrote my application, submitted it, and was invited for a trial day.
And honestly, after that first day, I already knew: This is where I want to be.
What still touches me most today are our disabled dogs. Many of them have difficult histories and need special care and support. At the same time, they show us every day that a disability says nothing about how much joy a dog can have. Our dogs in wheelchairs, especially, constantly surprise me with their energy, their trust, and their indomitable will to live.
Over time, my work as an animal caretaker evolved into more and more responsibility. Today, I am the Deputy Farm Manager, and together with our team, I ensure that our animals lack nothing and that the sometimes quite turbulent daily farm life runs smoothly.
Of course, there are challenging days. But then one of our dogs comes around the corner, gets excited about something small, or makes progress no one expected – and you know exactly why you’re here.
For me, De Hun’nenhoff has long since become more than just a workplace. I am very grateful to be a part of this special place and to be able to contribute every day to giving our animals the most beautiful and worthwhile life possible.
Dogs have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up with them, and even as a child, it was clear to me: someday, I want to work with dogs.
Of course, I couldn’t have known then that this wish would one day lead me to De Hun’nenhoff.
Almost four years ago, I received a post via Instagram. De Hun’nenhoff was looking for an animal caretaker. I didn’t know the farm very well at the time, but something immediately appealed to me. I wrote my application, submitted it, and was invited for a trial day.
And honestly, after that first day, I already knew: This is where I want to be.
What still touches me most today are our disabled dogs. Many of them have difficult histories and need special care and support. At the same time, they show us every day that a disability says nothing about how much joy a dog can have. Our dogs in wheelchairs, especially, constantly surprise me with their energy, their trust, and their indomitable will to live.
Over time, my work as an animal caretaker evolved into more and more responsibility. Today, I am the Deputy Farm Manager, and together with our team, I ensure that our animals lack nothing and that the sometimes quite turbulent daily farm life runs smoothly.
Of course, there are challenging days. But then one of our dogs comes around the corner, gets excited about something small, or makes progress no one expected – and you know exactly why you’re here.
For me, De Hun’nenhoff has long since become more than just a workplace. I am very grateful to be a part of this special place and to be able to contribute every day to giving our animals the most beautiful and worthwhile life possible.
Office Manager
Susi Higgins
After living in the USA for 26 years and working at Warner Bros. for 25 years, I returned to Germany in April 2025. In the USA, I volunteered in animal welfare for 20 years and had always hoped that one day I might be able to earn a living working with animals. After initially moving to southern Germany, I found the job opening for Office Manager at Hunnenhoff during my nationwide job search and could hardly believe my eyes. It was the perfect job, allowing me to apply my professional experience and talents while simultaneously fulfilling my dream of doing the most meaningful work I could imagine. Fortunately, my current bosses saw it the same way – and the rest is history, as they say.
After living in the USA for 26 years and working at Warner Bros. for 25 years, I returned to Germany in April 2025. In the USA, I volunteered in animal welfare for 20 years and had always hoped that one day I might be able to earn a living working with animals. After initially moving to southern Germany, I found the job opening for Office Manager at Hunnenhoff during my nationwide job search and could hardly believe my eyes. It was the perfect job, allowing me to apply my professional experience and talents while simultaneously fulfilling my dream of doing the most meaningful work I could imagine. Fortunately, my current bosses saw it the same way – and the rest is history, as they say.
