For 34 years, Gretchen worked for the Renbrook School in West Hartford , starting out as an art teacher and finishing her career there as Director of Admissions. During her tenure, she organized student fund drives for a however. Over the years she has been a member of a dozen animal welfare organizations, both national and international. She writes letters to government and corporate officials when issues arise and contributes financially whenever possible. She was a volunteer at Animal Friends of Connecticut for over 20 years, and she is currently a volunteer at the Second Chance Equine Rescue Ranch in East Granby . In fact, she adopted a burro through Cleveland Amory's Fund for Animals as a companion to her horse!

Gretchen's longtime interest in rescue work led her quite naturally to Our Companions upon retirement, when another of our volunteers told her that we would welcome her help in the office. But Gretchen's busy "retirement" includes more than her animal rescue efforts. She also finds time to serve as a docent at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, belongs to a book club, and participates in The Saturday Morning Club, which is a writers' group. She takes courses at the University of Hartford in the President's College and watercolor classes at the West Hartford Art League. She is a former Vestry member of Old St. Andrew's Church in Bloomfield and currently serves there as Director of the Church School.

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