Our Team
Stephen Levine
My journey with dogs started on the streets of Guatemala, where I rescued my first puppy, Cypress. What began as a single act of compassion quickly grew into a mission. I found myself surrounded by dogs who had been abandoned, injured, or forgotten, and I couldn’t walk away. That’s how the Mayan Dog Rescue Foundation was born.
Over the years, I’ve worked in Guatemala, Mexico, and the U.S., rescuing, rehabilitating, and training countless dogs. My own pack became my partners—helping me teach trust, socialization, and balance to the dogs that needed it most. Along the way, I developed a philosophy rooted in three simple things: food, love, and shelter. With patience and consistency, I’ve seen even the most broken dogs transform into family dogs.
Today, I continue that mission in New York and abroad, working with shelters, families, and communities. My goal is simple: to give every dog a second chance at life, and to help people experience the joy, trust, and connection that come from truly living with dogs.
Before there was a rescue, there was my pack.
Cypress was the first, just a two week old puppy being mauled by a pack of street dogs. Then came Dhurva, her entire pack was killed, was beaten and terrified of humans. Ms. Ginny followed, sick, broken, reactive. Then Nala, once a family dog, left in a crate on a balcony with no human contact, and filled with fear.
Together, then became my teachers. My compass. My family.
With them by my side, we’ve provided food, love, and shelter to hundreds of dogs. Their journeys inspired others, changed lives, and were shared from the very first day until they found their forever homes.
It all started with four.
Meet each pack member here:
The Pack
Zuzana Olivieri
My story with dogs began early, growing up surrounded by animals who became a big part of my life. What started as childhood love grew into a lifelong passion that has accompanied me during the past 15 years across the world — from Slovakia and Austria to the USA, Guatemala, and Mexico — where I volunteered in shelters and rescues and also worked at clinics.
For me, rescue work is about more than caring for animals — it’s about building community, sharing compassion and love, and inspiring and teaching the next generation. Whether I’m working with dogs, mentoring children, or bringing people together, I believe every small act of care makes the world kinder for both animals and humans.
In 2020, during Covid, I had the chance to volunteer with the Mayan Dog Rescue Foundation in Guatemala and meet Steve. Those months left a deep mark on me — from helping with training, adoptions, and recovery, to simply spending time giving the dogs love and care. I witnessed how food, love, and shelter transform lives, and my time with the foundation reminded me of the importance of not looking away.
Dr. Iain McAllister
Dr. Iain is a retired Veterinarian from Scotland. Since retiring in 2018, he has become a full time traveler. Iain has volunteered in Dog Rescue Centers in many parts of the world including Mexico, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Tanzania & Cuba. He is deeply interested in the health, welfare and behavior of street dogs.
Iain met Steve in San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico and they formed a strong partnership in helping the dogs in a municipal shelter there. He looks forward to helping the Mayan Dog Rescue Foundation team in this exciting new project.
Louis-Philippe Clermont
Bio coming soon
Pamella Sansregret
Bio coming soon
Romy Meerkin
Board Member & Dog Immersion Team Member
Romy is a passionate dog lover with years of hands-on experience in animal rescue, both through volunteering and caring for her own rescued dogs. Her journey began in Guatemala, where she first became involved in rescue work, and has continued through her travels to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, volunteering with local shelters and community programs.
Through her platform, Let’s Talk About Dogs, Romy helps people better understand the responsibilities of bringing a new life into their family and what it truly means to provide a dog with a forever home. Deeply devoted to canine welfare, she finds endless joy and inspiration in the company of dogs and in witnessing their remarkable transformations.