Deb Bowen grew up in Portland where she and her brother made it their mission to bring home every stray animal within a five-mile radius of their home.

At the age of 11, Deb sent for the Official Lassie Training Book and trained her terrier mix, Cookie, to do long stays, jump hoops, and crawl on her belly, just like Lassie.

During the last few years of her 26-year career in Real Estate, Deb began to volunteer for a local dog rescue. She found the work so rewarding that she devoted increasing amounts of time to it. It was while doing this work that she met Krystyna Schmidt, another volunteer. Krystyna grew up in West Linn after being adopted in Poland. As a child, she adored her Husky/Malamute, Princess, who lived to be 19 years old. Krystyna learned about dog rescue when she was training Mandy, an Airedale, to be a service dog for her husband. 

Deb and Krystyna shared a similar philosophy about working with animals and people within the rescue/adoption process. They shared lengthy discussions about the best way to deal with problem dogs, as well as the most ethical ways to run a rescue organization.

In the summer of 2007, Deb and Krystyna registered Oregon Dog Rescue with the State of Oregon. Within a few months, they had obtained IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit status. A small group of volunteers cared for and placed 200 dogs in their first full year, and 300 dogs in the second.

Running a rescue organization requires a lot of work. The dogs must be cared for and placed, money must be raised, and recognition must be acquired. Deb and Krystyna, due to their high standards, have attracted a core group of highly effective and talented volunteers. Each one has experience with running a business and community involvement, in addition to a strong devotion to dogs and dog rescue. They have helped Deb and Krystyna make Oregon Dog Rescue one of the most successful rescue organizations in the state.