Founder of SMART and a Champion for Lost and Abandoned Dogs
Vanessa Cole has been a proud resident of Palm Coast since June 2020, bringing with her over 13 years of heartfelt dedication to animal rescue. Her passion shines through her work with SMART Animal Rescue, where she supports their mission with unwavering commitment. Vanessa is especially devoted to fostering, with a special emphasis on providing love and comfort to hospice dogs in their final days. Alongside her husband Randy, to whom she’s been happily married for over 19 years, Vanessa shares her home with three beloved dogs. Her life is a beautiful blend of compassion, purpose, and family.
My Why?
I love helping the animals, specifically lost and injuries dogs. I want to make a difference in dogs who all they want is love and food!
Tracie Cotto is a resident of Palm Coast since 2017 along with my husband and our two rescue dogs. As a lifelong animal lover, growing up with horses, dogs, cats and rabbits, I’m proud to be a part of SMART Animal Rescue. I deeply believe in Caroline’s mission to save abused and abandoned animals in our county. My husband and I are both committed to supporting the rescue’s growth and helping raise awareness about the urgent need for dedicated foster homes so SMART can continue to save more lives.
My Why?
Ever since I first saw Caroline’s posts about rescuing lost and neglected dogs, I knew that I wanted to support her & the rescue. She is truly making a difference in the lives of many families by reuniting them with their fur babies. She will also provide the necessary care to abandoned or abused dogs and make sure that they find a loving forever home.
With over 25 years of marketing and branding experience – and a big heart for animal welfare – Kim has already made a huge difference for SMART, volunteering her expertise over the past year to help boost the organization’s outreach and impact. In addition, Mascot Otis and rescues like Lady, enjoy the love and nurturing when they spend time with Kim at events or networking meetings.
A Palm Coast native, Kim started Curley Tail Design in 1998 and has grown it into one of the area’s most respected agencies, winning “Best Advertising & Design Agency” in Flagler County for 17 years straight and earning the 2020 Professional Women’s Council Business of the Year award. Curleytail Design recently was voted the BEST Graphic Design company in Flagler County.
My Why?
It has always been Kim’s dream to be involved with some kind of rescue dog organization. Luckily she can use her talents to help promote SMART so we can keep up the exposure and raise awareness and raise donations to continue to assist dumped and abused dogs in Flagler County.
Dr. Erika has been a very dedicated sponsor, foster and now SMART Board member – helping our organization in many capacities.
Dr. Erika’s passion for animals runs deep. Before calling Flagler home, she spent five years working her way up from volunteer to Veterinary Care Manager of the Shelter Medicine department at UF Veterinary College, building strong relationships with rescues across Alachua County. Since moving to Flagler, she hasn’t been able to stay away from S.M.A.R.T. – and we’re so grateful for it!
Dr. Erika is a champion for the underdog, especially the medically needy pups. She’s a proud bully breed advocate, but believes every animal deserves the best life possible—and she’ll do everything in her power to help save as many as she can.
One of her most inspiring recent stories is her work fostering Stormy, a rescued dog who needed extra healing and TLC. Thanks to Dr. Erika’s dedication and compassion, Stormy not only recovered but also found a loving forever home – a true testament to the difference she makes!
Her own pack keeps her on her toes: two blue pits (Annabelle and Diesel), a Great Dane (Thunder), and an English Mastiff (Mia) – plus two human kiddos, Jaxon and Knox! There’s never a dull moment in the Equizi household.
Deborah’s journey started in Chicago, fostering countless kittens and supporting animal rescue. After moving to Florida eight years ago, she dedicated her time to serving on the boards of The Flagler Woman’s Club and Family Life Center. Now, her passion for animal advocacy has come full circle as she joins S.M.A.R.T.—ready to help us rescue, heal, and protect the voiceless in our community.
Deborah and her husband share their home with three beloved dogs—Saint (Great Dane), Mabel (Tea Cup Poodle), and Paris (Malti-Poo rescue)—as well as two cats, Lillian and Pink. They recently adopted Wexford, a senior chihuahua rescued by S.M.A.R.T., who spent his final months surrounded by love.
As a new board member, Deborah is eager to provide strategic leadership, champion our mission, and serve as an ambassador for animal rescue in Flagler County.
