Meet our Staff

Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.

Rick Harris Jr. : Owner and Licensed Funeral Director

Rick Harris Jr.

Owner and Licensed Funeral Director

rick@petsatpeacecremations.com

Rick was inspired to pursue a career in funeral service during his early years, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. A resident of Webster, Rick graduated from West Irondequoit High School in 1997 and excelled in sports such as, wrestling and soccer. He received his A.A.S in Mortuary Science from the State University of New York at Canton in 1999; and has been a NYS Licensed Funeral Director since 2000. Rick and his family are parishioners of Christ the King Church and St. Rita's Church. When he’s not working, Rick is a little league baseball coach and flag football coach. He loves to play all sports and stay active; you can find him on his stand up paddle board on Conesus Lake, boxing, golf, and beach volleyball. Rick has been married to his wife, Amanda since 2014, and have three boys, identical twin boys, Hudson & Holden, and Hayden Harris. Lastly, Rick is a Certified Funeral Celebrant and former President of the Rochester Genesee Valley Funeral Directors Association.

Larry Klimek : Pet Care Specialist/Operations Manager

Larry Klimek

Pet Care Specialist/Operations Manager

larry@petsatpeacecremations.com

A resident of Irondequoit, Larry graduated from West Irondequoit High School in 1997. Larry has been married to his wife Jennifer since 2003. Larry has over 16 years of working in customer service. Being an avid animal lover, Larry joined the Pets at Peace team in April 2015. During his free time, Larry enjoys watching sports, especially the Buffalo Bills and New York Yankees, being outdoors and spending time with his family and friends and beloved dogs, Snickers and Georgia. Larry and his wife Jennifer are members of St. Kateri at Christ the King Church.

Susan Drew : Head Pet Care Coordinator

Susan Drew

Head Pet Care Coordinator

susan@petsatpeacecremations.com
Susan a Rochester native. She has been with Pets at Peace since it's inception in 2009 because of her love for animals.  A true professional in customer service and care.  Susan has more than 25 yrs. customer service and having owned a restaurant and catering business.  She has one daughter whom she is most proud of, Ann Marie.  During Susan's free time she enjoys cooking, working out and loves the outdoors kayaking, golfing and spending time with family and friends.
Kevin Rutledge : Pet Care Specialist

Kevin Rutledge

Pet Care Specialist

kevin@petsatpeacecremations.com

Kevin is a current Irondequoit resident and '03 graduate of East Ridge High. Has dedicated 2 decades of his life to the durable medical equipment field. As fate would have it, a desire for new challenges has led him to a transformative career change. Kevin finds solace in the company of animals. He currently has a tortoise that was a rescue, 2 birds and 2 rats. Beyond his love for animals Kevin is a devoted advocate of cherished connections. His free time is spent between some of his hobbies and with friends, family, fiance and watching the Buffalo Bills.

Shane Biichle : Pet Care Specialist

Shane Biichle

Pet Care Specialist

shane@petsatpeacecremations.com

Originally from Central Pennsylvania, Shane joined our team in early 2023. After leaving the Air Force in 2014, he completed college and received his Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Health & Science. He now runs his own personal training business out of his home where he helps those with limited mobility build muscle and focus on their pain areas so they can get back to living their lives and doing what they love. Part-time, he works here at Pets at Peace where he helps people's beloved pets continue into their next journey. When he's not working or training, Shane loves to travel with his wife, play disc golf, and spend time with their dog and 2 cats.

Shannon Zornow : Pet Care Specialist

Shannon Zornow

Pet Care Specialist

Shannon Zornow is a Rochester, New York native and a graduate of Monroe Community College, where she earned a degree in Business. Shannon has been a dedicated Pet Care Specialist with Pets at Peace for over 5 years. Shannon brings compassion, professionalism, and a deep commitment to supporting families during the loss of a beloved pet.

Outside of her professional role, Shannon is the proud mother of three teenage daughters and is actively involved in her community. She is a supporter of The Trevor Project and takes pride in being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Shannon is also parishioner of The Father's House.

In addition to her work in pet aftercare, Shannon owns and operates a cleaning business. In her free time, she enjoys collecting sports cards and spending time with family and friends.

This blend of personal dedication, entrepreneurial spirit, and compassionate service reflects Shannon's commitment to caring for both people and the pets they love.

Christina Rothfuss : Pet Care Coordinator

Christina Rothfuss

Pet Care Coordinator

Christina is a Rochester native who holds a bachelor's degree in Human Development and a master's degree in Higher Education. Her passion for supporting growth and development extends beyond people to the compassionate care of animals.
Her journey in animal rescue began in 2017 when she adopted her first beloved companion, Reggie, a tuxedo cat who was always impeccably dressed for every occasion. She later welcomed Sue, a spirited Rat Terrier whose first adventure with Christina was a cross-country road trip in partnership with a rescue organization, helping transport dogs from Oklahoma to their forever homes in the Northeast. Completing her furry family is Teddy, an affectionate and energetic Shih Tzu who brings joy and personality to every day.
Outside of work, Christina enjoys traveling, hiking, spending time with family, and giving back through volunteer work. Her volunteer experiences have taken her across the United States as well as throughout Central and South America.
Since joining the Pets at Peace team in 2024, Christina has been honored to provide compassionate, dignified care to pets and their families during life's most difficult moments. She takes great pride in supporting families with empathy, integrity, and respect as they say goodbye to their beloved companions and help them peacefully cross the Rainbow Bridge.
Marisa Montante : Pet Care Coordinator

Marisa Montante

Pet Care Coordinator

Born and raised in Rochester, New York, Marissa is proud to call the area home, where much of her family still resides today. A graduate of Greece Arcadia High School, she has always had a deep appreciation for both animals and lifelong learning.
An avid reader and self-proclaimed "Bookdragon", Marissa's love of stories is rivaled only by her love for animals. Her home is shared with two beloved dogs, Kingsley, a beagle mix, and Andie, a pit bull/boxer mix, as well as three senior cats—Helena ("Lenny"), Ginny, and Rory—most of whom are named after characters from the Harry Potter series.
With more than a decade of experience in the veterinary field, Marissa has dedicated much of her career to caring for animals and supporting the people who love them. Prior to joining Pets at Peace, she worked with respected veterinary practices including Rochester Emergency Veterinary Services (REVS) and currently at Cats & Critters Veterinary Hospital.
For Marissa, working at Pets at Peace is a natural extension of her passion for animals and the human-animal bond. She understands that pets are cherished family members whose impact on our lives is immeasurable. It is both meaningful and rewarding for her to help families honor their beloved companions with dignity, compassion, and respect during a difficult time. Marissa is proud to be part of a team dedicated to providing comfort, support, and exceptional care to pet owners when they need it most.
Kiersten Deuel : Pet Care Coordinator

Kiersten Deuel

Pet Care Coordinator

kiersten@petsatpeacecremations.com

Kiersten is originally from Pittsford and has been working in the veterinary field for over 13 years. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology, she gained extensive experience in general practice, house calls, and emergency medicine. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep appreciation for the bond between animals and their families, which continues to shape her compassionate approach to patient care.

Kiersten’s professional journey has led her to develop a deep passion for comfort care, especially during end-of-life moments. She finds great fulfillment in providing compassionate and dignified care during these difficult times. She views euthanasia not as an end, but as a final gift—a peaceful, loving act that helps pets pass with dignity. She also understands the importance of aftercare services, including cremation and memorialization options, and works closely with families to guide them through these decisions and help them honor their pets in a meaningful way.

As a Licensed Veterinary Technologist (LVT), Fear Free Certified professional, and active member of the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care, Kiersten is committed to lifelong learning. She continues to expand her expertise in comfort care and end-of-life services to provide the highest level of support to both pets and their families.

Outside of work, Kiersten is married to her husband, Eric, and together they have a daughter, Amelia, who always keeps them on their toes. Their home is also shared with a menagerie of pets, including cats, reptiles, and fish. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, cake decorating, and exploring local craft breweries.

Katelyn Ihnatiuk : Pet Care Coordinator

Katelyn Ihnatiuk

Pet Care Coordinator

katelyn@petsatpeacecremations.com

I am a Mother to a beautiful little boy and two amazing dogs. In my spare time when I’m not grooming or working at Pets at Peace, I like volunteering with rescues various rescues helping dogs find their forever homes.

Mark Polizzi : Pet Care Specialist

Mark Polizzi

Pet Care Specialist

mark@petsatpeacecremations.com