Adopted: June 2010
Animal care coordinator Ashley DeVoe joined the PVH staff in June 2010. A graduate of Kennard Dale High School, Ashley went on to earn degrees in theater and English literary studies at York College in 2009. A nature lover at heart, she has spent as much time on the stage and dance floor as she has down on the farm.
Ashley has spent much of her life in the great outdoors, working at several local farms and greenhouses. She affectionately refers to her role as “barn help” and has enjoyed the many hours she has spent exercising horses and “hauling hay with the boys”. And during her time in college, she discovered another place where she felt right at home—the York Swing Dance Club, now called York Social Dance Studio.
She introduced her brother Brennan to swing dancing who quickly becoming a fan of the variety of dance styles offered—ballroom, waltz, even belly dancing! Eventually they both became instructor, and the two often DJ at events and benefits where they offer demonstrations.
Most recently, her theater endeavors had her on the Blackfryar cast at Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. The 2014 season had her as Henrietta Fowler, the crazy chicken lady and the 2015 season had her cast as Charity Primrose the Dance Mistress. And they say there is no such thing as type casting! Her love of her backyard chickens and her love of social dance were of great use during her street improvisation performances. So any time you run into her feel free to ask for a performance or her favorite memory! Just remember the first rule of Improv; "Yes, and"!
As for her work at PVH, Ashley’s heart is dedicated to the many animals in her care. She easily forms a bond with each of the boarding and hospitalized pets, and finds that playtime in the exercise yard is a treat for her as well.
“Playing ball in the yard with the dogs—I adore it,” she says. “I love it when they give you ‘the puppy eyes’. That’s always worth an extra five minutes of cuddle time!”
