Kit Jagoda | Executive Director
Kit Jagoda is a Spokane native who has been passionate about animals and art her entire life. She has been a full time public school art teacher from 1987 to present. Kit earned her National Boards Certification in Early and Middle Childhood Art in 2005 and recertified in 2014. She holds a Masters in Educational Administration from Northern Arizona
University and is currently pursuing a Masters in Humane Education through the Institute for Humane Education and Valparaiso University.
In 1994 Kit cofounded River’s Wish Animal Sanctuary with her husband Pete Jagoda and is the Director of this nonprofit. She and Pete built the sanctuary from a small 800 square foot farmhouse on 45 acres and added a large barn, numerous shelters and an 1800 square foot rabbit house on 65 acres. River's Wish incorporated as a 501c3 in 2004.
While the sanctuary cares for over ten different species, Kit works a great deal with rabbits in need. She is a licensed House Rabbit Educator with the House Rabbit Society and the organization is a sister agency to the House Rabbit Society.
Kit and Pete collaborate on art together and offer art workshops and retreats at the sanctuary.
“Through the visual arts I am able to create, express and understand myself more deeply and clearly. I hope my work conveys what I am not able to articulate in words.
As an Art educator I hope I am able to provide the tools, skills and inspiration for young people to find their own voice through creative expression.
I integrate the visual arts and writing through our Humane Education programs at River’s Wish, to express and promote the development of empathy and compassion for those who have no voice.
Animals and Art are interconnected for me. Through Art I listen, express, reach out and reach in. Art helps me communicate emotions, ideas and things I don't have words for. My feelings, ideas, and hopes for animals, especially those who suffer in this world, are expressed through visual means. I hope my art will help animals by opening hearts, minds and impacting change
My greatest education has come from the animals I have cared for and met throughout the years. It is because of them that I am a committed animal rights and vegan advocate.”
University and is currently pursuing a Masters in Humane Education through the Institute for Humane Education and Valparaiso University.
In 1994 Kit cofounded River’s Wish Animal Sanctuary with her husband Pete Jagoda and is the Director of this nonprofit. She and Pete built the sanctuary from a small 800 square foot farmhouse on 45 acres and added a large barn, numerous shelters and an 1800 square foot rabbit house on 65 acres. River's Wish incorporated as a 501c3 in 2004.
While the sanctuary cares for over ten different species, Kit works a great deal with rabbits in need. She is a licensed House Rabbit Educator with the House Rabbit Society and the organization is a sister agency to the House Rabbit Society.
Kit and Pete collaborate on art together and offer art workshops and retreats at the sanctuary.
“Through the visual arts I am able to create, express and understand myself more deeply and clearly. I hope my work conveys what I am not able to articulate in words.
As an Art educator I hope I am able to provide the tools, skills and inspiration for young people to find their own voice through creative expression.
I integrate the visual arts and writing through our Humane Education programs at River’s Wish, to express and promote the development of empathy and compassion for those who have no voice.
Animals and Art are interconnected for me. Through Art I listen, express, reach out and reach in. Art helps me communicate emotions, ideas and things I don't have words for. My feelings, ideas, and hopes for animals, especially those who suffer in this world, are expressed through visual means. I hope my art will help animals by opening hearts, minds and impacting change
My greatest education has come from the animals I have cared for and met throughout the years. It is because of them that I am a committed animal rights and vegan advocate.”
