Maria Anselmo has over 15 years of experience in animal welfare and equine rescue. She has managed large equine rescues and shelters, developing adoption programs and policies. Currently she is the shelter manager at the Washington Animal Rescue League, where her responsibilities include overseeing staff and the daily care of over 100 animals. She also owns and operates Bit of Luck Farm, where she provides boarding and training. Anselmo has extensive experience in horse training, behavior, health and nutrition. She has also held leadership roles in 4-H and volunteers her time evaluating members.

1. Maria Elizabeth Anselmo
23101 Slidell Road
Boyds, MD 20841
301.655.1063
mariabitofluck@gmail.com
CAREER PROFILE
Highlymotivatedandexperienced animalwelfare professionalwithexpert proficiency in managing all aspects
of large equine rescue as well as companion animal shelter. Well versed in policy and strategy development,
processimprovementsformanagingarescueandadoptionprogram.Comprehensive understanding of animal
behavior, health and nutrition. Skilled in horse training. Skilled in relationship building. Excellent
communication skills demonstrated in public speaking, grant writing, advertisements and fundraising.
Established an adoption program with outstanding results with the highest degree of humane care and
professionalism.
AREAS OF STRENGTH AND EXPERTISE
● BarnManagement
● Fundraising
● EventPlanning
● Recordkeeping/DataCollection
● Social MediaCommunication
● Policy/ProcedureDevelopment
● Staff Leadership
● RelationshipBuilding
● ShelterManagement
PREFERRED CRITERIA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
WASHINGTON ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE, Washington, DC July 2015 to Present
Shelter Manager
As shelter manager, responsible for overseeing animal caretaker staff, participating in operational meetings,
evaluating feline and canine shelter behavior, overseeing the daily care of animals in the shelter.
Key Achievements
● Oversaw 10 shelter staff, including scheduling, hiring, and employee evaluations.
● Established new feeding regimen, responsible for ordering supplies.
● Further developed the canine, feline, and small mammal enrichment programs.
● Oversaw general care of over 100 animals daily.
● Showed dogs and cats to potential adopters, answered questions about the adoption process, and educated
potential adopters about responsible pet ownership.
● Reported to veterinarian signs of common ailments/diseases/concerning behavior changes.
BIT OF LUCK FARM, Boyds, MD September 2014 to Present
Barn Manager/Horse Trainer Self Employed
As barn manager for state licensed family farm, responsible for barn management, stalls, feed and care of 10
equines. Administered medications and vaccinations. Worked on plans to start a nonprofit equine
sanctuary.
Key Achievements
● Developed nutrition plans for elderly equines, donkeys, zebra and goat.
● Established deworming schedule, administer medications and inoculations.
● Purchased feed and hay
● Maintained barn, paddocks and tack.
● Taught riding lessons
● Tested 4-Hers for Horsemanship Standards

2. Maria Elizabeth Anselmo
23101 Slidell Road
Boyds, MD 20841
LOST AND FOUND HORSE RESCUE,Germantown,MD May 2010 to August 2014
Manager
As manager, successfully directed a large equine rescue and the largest donkey rescue on the East Coast,
developing and implementing animal adoption policies and programs. Managed and built relationships with
the Humane Society of the United States, animal control, and other rescue organizations. Responsible for
training and care of rescued equines, processing adoption applications, evaluation of potential adopters,
conducting facility inspections of potential homes, and matching adopters to horses/donkeys. Developed and
maintained a database identifying horses and donkeys. Designed and launched a rescue website, created
advertisements for print media, worked with the press, created online fundraisers and developed a strong
social media presence.
Key Achievements
● Established mission, vision, strategy, and direction for the rescue.
● Established policy,procedures and a recordkeeping system foradoptions. Successfully placed over
100 equines.
● Assessed intakes from animal control, humane society and other rescues to develop rehabilitation
and training plans.
● Trailered horses to events and to assist animal control with stray horses and donkeys
● Animal care including feeding and designing individual nutrition programs.
● Administered medications (oral, IV, IM), and basic veterinary care including vaccinations, basic
diagnostics of medical problems, and deworming.
● Responsible for euthanasia decisions for injured, sick and elderly equines. Assisted veterinarian
euthanizing horses and donkeys by helping to restrain equines.
● Established a recordkeeping system for a herd of up to 70 equines, scheduling with veterinarian,
farrier, dentist and trainers.
● Organized events at the rescue and at horse expos in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania to educate
the public on humane care and promote the rescue. Presented information of humane care at the
events.
● Coordinated fundraising through online auctions, grants and donations from businesses and
industry.
● Wrote press releases, print and e-newsletters, created and updated website and social media
accounts.
● Effectively managed staff, volunteers, and intern teams.
MARYLAND 4-HHORSE MEMBERAND VOLUNTEER May 1996-Present
Member and Volunteer
I was an activemember of Horse’N’Around 4-H Club. I competed in all areas at the County, State and National
level. Exhibited at County and State Fair. Served as Secretary, VicePresident, and President. I represented
Maryland at Nationals in Hippology, Horse Judging, Public Speaking, and Horse Bowl.As a volunteer, I
evaluate 4-Hers not only on their riding skills but also on their horsemanship including bandaging skills,
parts of the horse and tack, knowledge of equine diseases, injuries and genetic defects.
Key Achievements as Volunteer
● Currently Serve as 4-H Volunteer
● State 4-H Horse Program Examiner
● Horse Bowl Coach of winning Montgomery County Team
● Wrote State and County Horse Bowl Questions

3. Maria Elizabeth Anselmo
23101 Slidell Road
Boyds, MD 20841
● Wrote and evaluated Hippology tests for Montgomery County Fair
● Gave tours of Lost and Found Horse Rescue to 4-H groups.
● Fundraising at State and County level to support the program.
● Conducted preparatory sessions for 4-H members preparing for Horsemanship Testing
BIT OF LUCK FARM, Boyds, MD May 2005 to May 2010
Horse Trainer Self Employed
As a horse trainer, started young ponies, schooled young and problem horses. Developed training schedules,
nutrition plans for horses and donkeys. Administered medications and vaccinations. Bought and sold horses
to individual customers. Taught riding lessons and coached several high school and middle school equestrian
teams. Coached riders at local horse shows.
Key Achievements
● Regularly exercised, schooled and showed project horses and ponies.
● Taught riding lessons
● Tested 4-Hers and pony club members
● Coached 4-H members and students at local shows
● Competed in Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, and Eventing
● Trailered horses to local events
THORPEWOOD AT-RISK YOUTH PROGRAM, Thurmont, MD June-August 2008
EducationStaffMember
As a staff member, taught at-risk youthabout trust, relationship development, cooperation, leadership, and
other important life skills using equines.
Key Achievements
● Skills in relating to youth
● Teambuilding
EQUINE SOLUTIONS, Dickerson, MD December 2007- March 2008
Apprentice
As an apprentice, studied equine behavior, started young horses, problem horses and a zebra. Trailered horses.
Key Achievements
● Trained horses using natural horsemanship techniques
● Worked with clients’ horses on trails and in ring.
● Started project horse in round pen
● Only person to ride the zebra in training
MCDANIEL COLLEGE TELEVISION STATION, Westminster, MD September-December 2007
General Manager September 2008-May 2009
As Manager, prepared annual budget, scheduled club meetings, directed and produced shows to be aired on
the student television station.
Key Achievements
● Developed and managed budget
● Managed meetings of up to twenty students
● Managed and participated in all phases of TV show production

4. Maria Elizabeth Anselmo
23101 Slidell Road
Boyds, MD 20841
URBANA RIDING CLUB, Frederick, MD June-August 2005, 2007
RidingCamp Instructor
As an instructor, taught riding lessons and was responsible forcare of thirty horses. Workedwith counselors
in training to create a safe, positive riding environment for children of all ages. Taught children parts of
horse, how to identify horses and conformation faults.
Key Achievements
● Taught six lessons daily
● Successfully trained six counselors in training
AWARDS, RECOGNITION & MEMBERSHIPS
Equiery Cutest Foal Cover Photography Contest Reserve 2014, Winner & Honorable Mention 2010
Aristotle Award for Excellence in Communications, 2007
McDaniel College Dean’s List
United States Pony Club C3 Rating
Montgomery County Agricultural Board Member
Maryland Horse Council Member
Fleet of Angels Member
Maryland Horse Industry Board Licensed Stable
Maryland 4-H State Examiner Horse Program
Montgomery County 4-H Volunteer
University of Maryland Extension Volunteer
EDUCATION AND TRAINING CONFERENCES
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, McDaniel College, Westminster, MD
International Baccalaureate Graduate, Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville, MD
International Donkey Welfare Symposium 2013, 2014
Zebra Training with Nancy Nunke 2014
Catalytic Coaching 2016
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES
MicrosoftOffice,Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, Web Design, Photo and Video editing, Online
Auctions, PetPoint