Our Team
Karen Rau
Executive Director and Founder
In the summer of 2011, Karen began a movement within the Marshfield community to address the plight of its many homeless animals. Recognizing the city's lack of humane options for the hundreds of stray animals collected annually by animal control, she knew this had to change. Years of witnessing the conditions at animal control drop-off sites solidified her resolve: Marshfield had to do better.
Karen's deep passion for animal welfare fueled her vision to create a safe haven for animals in need. This vision became a reality when she assembled a group of compassionate animal lovers like herself, forming the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter (MAPS). Through her unwavering leadership, MAPS established its first physical presence, beginning with a cat adoption center in the local mall, and subsequently transforming an old airport terminal into an intake facility.
Despite facing challenges and obstacles along the way, Karen's commitment and perseverance inspired the Marshfield community to rally behind the cause. A remarkable $1.2 million fundraising campaign, driven by her dedication, culminated in the construction of Marshfield's first state-of-the-art animal sheltering facility, a significant milestone in the community's commitment to animal welfare and protection.
In September 2019, Karen was officially hired as the Executive Director of MAPS, the esteemed organization that she herself founded. In this role, she diligently represents MAPS and actively cultivates strong community relationships to secure essential funding for daily operations and ongoing programs.
At home, Karen has a cat named Shirley, whom she adopted from MAPS in March 2022. Prior to Shirley, her beloved dogs, Maggie and Molly, both puppy mill survivors, served as powerful motivators for her to pursue her dream to protect innocent animals.
Holly Henschke, CVT
Medical Coordinator
Holly, a certified veterinary technician, brought 20 years of experience to MAPS when she joined the team in May 2018, transitioning from private small animal practices. Eager to dive into her new role, Holly immediately attended the renowned Animal Care Expo in Kansas City. This experience provided invaluable insight into the unique challenges and rewards of shelter medicine, contrasting sharply with her previous work. She forged connections with leading experts, relationships she maintains to this day, which helped her prepare for her demanding position.
At MAPS, Holly is the cornerstone of medical care. She oversees the medical needs of all shelter and foster animals, conducting thorough exams that include physical evaluations, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and medication prescriptions. She also coordinates crucial external veterinary services, arranging surgeries and appointments with partner clinics. When necessary, Holly's certification allows her to perform euthanasia, a difficult but essential part of her role.
Holly finds her work at MAPS to be the most challenging and deeply satisfying of her career. The constant demand for care, the emotional weight of difficult decisions, and the joy of seeing animals thrive all contribute to the unique intensity of shelter medicine.
Her dedication extends beyond the shelter; she shares her home with three cats, Maggie, Po, and Blobby, two of whom were adopted from MAPS, demonstrating her personal commitment to animal welfare.
Dan Sieber
Operations Manager
Dan Sieber joined the MAPS team in March 2024 as Operations Manager, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to animal welfare. In his role, Dan plays a crucial part in overseeing the adoption program and animal intake, while also contributing to the diverse range of daily tasks that keep MAPS running smoothly.
A graduate of UWSP, Dan's professional journey includes extensive work with animals, particularly dogs since 2019, and devoted shelter experience since 2022. His diverse background has proven invaluable to the MAPS team, where his dedication shines through in his daily work.
Outside of MAPS, Dan's passion for animals continues at home, where he cares for his own rescued companions: two dogs and a cat.
Hanna Fraser
Medical Care Assistant
Passionate about animals her entire life, working at MAPS became a dream come true for Hanna who was hired in October 2021 as an Animal Care Attendant. In her role, she focused on maintaining a clean, safe, and sanitary environment for both animals and people. She also diligently monitored the physical condition of all animals and their habitats within the shelter. In her new role as Medical Care Assistant, Hanna will continue to prioritize facility cleanliness while providing crucial support to the Medical Coordinator. This includes daily monitoring of sick pets, administering medications, and assisting with scheduled treatments.
Hanna's lifelong passion for animal welfare makes her a perfect fit at MAPS. A creative spirit, she enjoys cosplaying, drawing, painting, and immersing herself in books. With a life rich in creativity, compassion, and the joy of animal care, Hanna is dedicated to making a positive impact.
Hanna has been happily married to Jordan for seven years, and they share their home with four beloved cats: Sampson, Stanley, Boogie, and MAPS alumni Weebles.