About the Rescue
Jefferson County Canine Rescue is a 501c3 non-profit dog rescue based in Jefferson County and working all along the Eastern Idaho area. We work to rescue dogs from Texas, California, and Oklahoma that are in danger of euthanasia in high-kill shelters. After transport to Idaho our dogs are placed in loving foster homes and are fully vetted with vaccinations and spay/neuter prior to adoption.
Our goal is to provide as many homes to as many
dogs as possible. We strive to place our animals
into their FURever homes!!
Jaime Hurd
Founder & Director
Born and raised in the Southern California, Jaime grew up dreaming about saving animals. Although she thought her calling was to be a veterinarian, but fate had different plans. She became a Founder & Director of 3 Nonprofit Animal Rescues based in Colorado and Idaho. Jaime has spent 2 decades dedicating her life to animals.
She has always had compassion and care for the welfare of animals. In her off time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She enjoys snowmobiling during the winter and playing in the water during the summer. On a cool afternoon riding her horses. Jaime's vision for the rescues have always been to serve animals that are neglected, and to be the loving hand that they receive.
Meet Our Team!
Julie Cousino - Operations Director
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Julie’s passion for animals began at an early age and has grown into a lifelong commitment to their care and well-being. Growing up in Western Massachusetts, Julie knew early on that helping animals was more than just a childhood love, it was what she wanted to dedicate her life to. When she was just 8 years old, Julie cared for her injured childhood dog, Angel, and that experience deepened the love for animals that would stay with her throughout her life.
Julie has been a veterinary technician for more than 20 years and has spent the last decade working in animal welfare. She has more than six years of experience in shelter operations, including serving as an Executive Director. Over the years, her husband’s military career took their family to different places, but her commitment to helping animals remained a constant. After moving to Colorado two and a half years ago, Julie became involved with the rescue and eventually stepped into the role of Operations Director.
Today, she serves as Operations Director for both Jefferson County Canine Rescue and El Paso County Canine Rescue, helping oversee day-to-day operations while supporting fosters, transports, intakes, adoptions, and the many moving pieces that make rescue possible.
One of Julie’s favorite parts of rescue is doing transports and watching fosters gather to welcome the animals they have opened their homes and hearts to. She also loves watching shy dogs come out of their shells, learn to trust, and discover their confidence. For Julie, there is something incredibly rewarding about watching a dog who once felt unsure of the world begin to realize they are safe, loved, and finally home.
Outside of rescue, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband, Trevor, their daughter, Felicity, their pups, and their chickens and ducks. She loves camping, hiking, exploring Colorado, and pretty much anything outdoors. Her life is fueled by lattes, rescue pets, and her family, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Julie is incredibly grateful to be part of a community that believes every animal deserves a chance, and she is proud to spend her days helping give them one.
Cherise is a dedicated volunteer with Jefferson County Canine Rescue who has been actively involved in rescue work for the past 1.5 years. She has served in many roles, including foster coordinator, facilitating adoptions, assisting with animal intake, supporting adoption events, and coaching fellow fosters through the rewarding (and sometimes challenging) journey of fostering.Her favorite part of rescue work is fostering animals herself — watching shy, scared, or overlooked dogs and cats blossom into confident, social pets and ultimately go to loving forever homes.
This transformation is what drives her. Cherise’s deep love for animals is what fuels her mission: to save as many dogs and cats as possible. Recently Cherise relocated to Colorado Springs with her partner, son and two dogs. She is excited to collaborate with the dedicated volunteers at Jefferson County Canine Rescue and keep saving as many lives as possible in her new community.
Cherise Beitz - Rescue Manager
Bree Mathews - Foster Coordinator
Bree is from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, but I’ve lived in Idaho for most of her life and California for a while. She is a stay-at-home mom to an almost two-year-old daughter, who is her world! She loves being outdoors and spending time with my family. Some of her favorite things to do are swimming, camping, hunting, or even just going on her morning walks. She loved to ride horses in high school and played a few sports, including volleyball, softball, and rodeo.
She normally a very shy and introverted person but being a mom and rescue coordinator has helped open her up and be able to chit-chat with people! She a huge dog lover and has been around dogs her whole life.
Her grandpa is a retired veterinarian who used to own his own clinic in Rexburg, so animals have always been a big part of her family. She has taken dog-training classes since I was a teenager, including classes while I was in high school. She volunteered a lot at local shelters and dog-training businesses, helping take care of the dogs, exercising them, and learning as much as she could. She loves helping dogs and helping people find their companions. Being able to help dogs and families is something she is truly passionate about. She is so excited to be part of this community, and can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Kyra Justesen -Foster Coordinator
Kyra loves animals deeply and has always had a special place in her heart for them. She enjoys rescuing animals in need and giving them the love, care, and safety they deserve. Being able to save an animal’s life and give them a second chance is her life's goal. Her compassion and dedication to animals are a big part of who she is. In her off time kyra loves crocheting blankets and fixing up her vw rabbit. Kyra loves watching movies and cooking.
Isabella's Legacy
Isabella was Jaime's best friend for a very short three years. During her short life, Isabella was a rescue advocate, she was always at Jaime's side during rescue events, greeting dogs as they came off the truck and providing a calm presence for the stressed, homeless dogs. She was an outgoing soul that never met a stranger, she was loving with everyone, human and canine. She made such an impact on our lives, that she became the face of El Paso County Canine Rescue and she is the dog you see on our logo.
Unfortunately, her life was cut short due to osteosarcoma. After several attempts to treat her cancer, she lost her battle just before Christmas 2018. We would love if you would make a donation to the Morris Animal Foundation in Isabella's name to find better treatments and, hopefully, a cure for this terrible disease.
Please donate in Isabella's name:
