The Desert Willow Team
Andrea Weitz
Founder
Dr. Andrea Weitz is an Emergency Medicine physician, critical care intensivist and med flight doctor based at the University of Wisconsin. Her love of animals goes back to childhood when her father's work brought the family to Australia and she befriended the neighbor's dog, Anna. As an adult, she has been committed to fighting for improved health and wellbeing for humans and animals alike and founded DW R&R in January of 2024.​
Fun Fact: She practices the art of Dressage in her spare time on her horse Mabel.
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Miloš Buhavac
Co-Founder
Dr. Milos Buhavac is a trauma surgeon at the University of Wisconsin when he is not wrangling dogs and horses. He has committed himself to learning more about dog behavior and works on helping to train the dogs and teach them manners and socially acceptable behaviors (like not biting people-although that hurts his job security). He has a love for animals that runs deep and dedicates much of his spare time saving them.
Fun Fact: He used to coach women's college basketball in North Carolina.
Jill Rodgers
Employee
Jill has been employed at Desert Willow since its debut in Wisconsin in September 2024. She has been through all the new trials and tribulations that come with starting an organization like this. She not only works in the background with adoptions and picking up new family members (all the way in Texas!), but cares for the dogs at the rescue on a daily basis.
Fun fact: She is a published and celebrated author of two books!
Cayce Swenson
Employee
Cayce started out as a volunteer back in September 2024, but quickly realized that he wanted to become a more integral part of DW and was hired on to work full time. He cares for the animals like they are his own, helps build fences and enclosures and creates creative mental games for the critters for more enrichment.
Fun fact: He loves the outdoors and all things tree related. Yes, trees.
Jill Roberts
Employee
Jill started in November 2025 and has quickly become the pups new best friend. As she walks them around the property she gossips and giggles with them and the dogs respond in kind.
Fun Fact: She is a retired crime scene investigator who is now pursuing her passion in dog rescue.
Jennifer James
Employee
Jenny was hired in November 2025 and has learned quickly that she not only loves the dogs but LOVES the horses as well. We often find her petting their noses and sneaking them carrots in between dog walks and snuggles.
Fun Fact: She used to chase children around as an elementary school art teacher.
Kelli Viele
Employee
Kelli joined DW in the spring of 2025 and was soon not only walking the dogs around the property but teaching them how to paint! She sadly only works very part time now, but still gets her fill of the pups when she's there.
Fun Fact: she once lived with the indigenous Embera tribe in the Panama rainforest.
Dan Antolec
Dog Behaviorist Consultant
Dan is an our resident dog behavior consultant and helps train the dogs to have basic manners and skills. He uses only positive reinforcement in his training and is fear free. The dogs love to play his training games such as "find it" and "treats raining down from heaven."
Fun Fact: He is an avid cyclist and used to ride his bike up and down the steps of Bascom Hall!
Sarah Miller
Dog Trainer and Behaviorist
Sarah is a certified dog trainer and behaviorist and offers training and advice on some of our behaviorally challenged dogs. She uses only positive reinforcement and is fear free. She also works behind the scenes with fundraising and social media.
Fun Fact: She drives around all day, every day with a giant stuffed dog in her car, who she sometimes lets drive ;)
Volunteers! We LOVE you!
Tami Owen
Helen Denson
Erin Helvey
Gail Pullara
Brenna Gladding
Logan Novom
Rowen Olle
Braxton Wild
Emma Dehlinger