KGDR is a foster- and volunteer-based rescue program.
We rely entirely on volunteers who share a passion for our gentle giants.
CO-PRESIDENT: Sarah Crank
Sarah Crank first became involved with rescue in 2014 when she and her husband James opened their home to fosters. After graduating from Auburn’s vet school and moving back to eastern Kentucky, they started fostering for KGDR in 2019. She enjoys her work as a veterinarian but loves spending time with her family and fur children (a Mini Schnauzer, Boxer mix, Great Dane, and two cats). After getting their first Dane, Sampson in 2010, the Crank household hasn’t went without a Dane since. Love for the breed has fueled her passion to help as many in-need Danes as possible.
CO-PRESIDENT: Kelly Sturgeon
Kelly Sturgeon is originally from Evansville, IN and became a Kentuckian when she went to Murray State University for a public relations major & minor in marketing. She moved to Louisville, KY to begin her career in event planning, and currently works as a Brand Activation and Events Manager for Boyd Company (Caterpillar). She enjoys spending time with her family & friends, going to local wineries & breweries, traveling all over (love taking cruises!) and playing with her 7-year-old boxer/lab, Molly. Kelly became involved with the Kentucky Great Dane Rescue (KGDR) in February 2019 as a foster family with her fiancé, Trevor Ford. She has also helped the rescue with fundraising & events.
TREASURER: Chiara Fletcher
Chiara Fletcher has been KGDR’s Treasurer since 2012. She has a crazy, spunky, butthead Dane named Nelson who she adopted from KGDR. Chiara loves to go hiking (especially with Nelson), working out, and kickboxing. She has an affinity for horse jokes and is known around her neighborhood as Great Dane Lady 😉
SECRETARY: Chuck Gerson
Chuck and his wife, Cynthia, moved to Louisville in 2011 when she took a job as a Doctor at U of L Hospital. He has spent most of his adult life doing volunteer work, primarily in pediatric oncology (Camp Periwinkle and the Best Buddy program at Duke), feeding people (Meals on Wheels and New Roots), and a good bit with hospice. His mid-life crisis saw him become a glassblowing artist. His next mid-life crisis, ten years later, found him at U of L getting a B.S. in Mathematics. He can’t wait to see what the next ten brings. Chuck got involved with KGDR when they adopted Finn. They really enjoy hiking with him off leash and seeing him get his Zoom on.
BOARD MEMBER: Randy Sexton
Randy is a retired teacher from Anderson County and has been with KGDR for four years. He enjoys traveling with his wife, Jackie, and the dogs all piled up into the car. Hotels are a challenge!
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER: Douglas Wright
Doug is 41 and from Louisville, KY. He joined the rescue with his first dane 8 years ago and has been involved in the dane life ever since. He has fostered multiple dogs over the last year and for a stint previously earlier on. Doug has a son, 2 grandkids, a dane mix, and is currently fostering a goofy boy.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER: Morgan Severs
Morgan became a first time dane owner in 2012, and never looked back! She loves the breed but is a big animal lover in general. She has 6 dogs, 4 cats, and often a foster as well. She’s a Louisville native and works in management in a production environment. She hopes to be as helpful to dane owners (& the community), as they were to her when her journey began.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER: Laura Hadley
Bio coming soon!
Kentucky Great Dane Rescue 