One small rescue.
One big second chance.

Executive Director, Betsy Shank, CWR

Betsy is our Founder, Executive Director, and Rehabilitator. She was enjoying life in the fast lane of corporate America, working on her education in Business Management and reaching for milestones when she stumbled upon a baby squirrel. That was April 16, 2010. Since that day, it has been virtually nothing but wildlife for Betsy. Her fast-paced life came to a screeching halt about a year later when five baby squirrels were given to her.

In order to keep an income, she started her own business sewing bedding for small caged animals, with a direct concentration on sturdiness for the “wild” ones. In between projects, she was navigating the process of becoming a wildlife rehabilitator. She trained under several rehabilitators in many states and learned as much as she possibly could.

It didn’t take too awfully long, only 10 years, before her husband realized this was the new normal and embraced her desire to open her own facility specializing in squirrels, cottontails, and woodchucks. Betsy says, “I feel that I am doing exactly what I was put on this Earth to do. I am most alive while working with my critters.”

Having served on several non-profit boards over the years, she wanted to found her own. “My husband’s last name means ‘little acorn,’ of all the trees in our nearly one-acre yard my favorite is an oak, and my favorite wild animal is the squirrel. Acorn Acres felt natural. It was the right thing to do.”

She wrote her Pennsylvania state test for wildlife rehabilitator, then tested for and earned the Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator (CWR) designation while waiting for the IRS to provide the letter of determination for the non-profit. She remembers days of the past fondly and would like to eventually obtain her MBA.

Secretary, Cierra Noetzel

Born in Lancaster County and raised in Holtwood, Pennsylvania, Cierra has spent most of her life in this area. She is an animal lover and is dedicated to serving organizations that promote conservation and wildlife rehabilitation.

In her spare time, Cierra enjoys picking up trash along the roadside and supporting efforts to educate the public about recycling and habitat restoration. During her childhood, she raised baby squirrels to adulthood, and that experience has stayed with her throughout her life.

It is one of the many reasons she decided to volunteer and now serve on the Board of Directors for Acorn Acres. In her professional life, Cierra is a registered nurse in the cardiac holding area at Lancaster General Hospital, where she helps patients navigate the procedural and recovery process. She studied nursing at Bloomsburg University.

When she is not working or volunteering, you can find Cierra spending time with her husband, daughter, and many pets, as well as with family and friends. She especially loves exploring local hiking and recreational areas in Lancaster County and trying new restaurants in the city.

President, David T. Aichele

David is the President of Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation. His life has focused on helping others. Out of high school, he volunteered as an Emergency Medical Technician and as a firefighter, then proudly served his community as a Police Officer for 18 years.

David was on the Board of Directors and is a former President of Musser Park Civic Association. He is currently the Mayor of Millersville. Prior to accepting the mayoral appointment, he served on Millersville Borough Council for four years. Professionally, David is the Executive Director for the Lancaster Downtown Investment District and the Director of Clean and Safe Services for Lancaster City Alliance, both organizations focused on improving the community and supporting economic vitality.

Born and raised in Lancaster, David is a graduate of Penn Manor High School and Willow Street Vo-Tech for carpentry. He is also a graduate of The Pennsylvania State Police Academy and the Pennsylvania Fire and Criminal Justice Academy, and has received numerous certifications of training from federal, state, and local agencies. He is a graduate of the Leadership Lancaster Class of 2007 and has attended workshops focused on conflict resolution, crime prevention through environmental design, and diversity, equality, and inclusion.

When asked about his influencers and mentors, David reflected on the many people who have offered opportunities and guidance throughout his life. However, the two constants who influenced him the most and were his biggest fans were his parents, Patricia and Tom.

In his spare time, David enjoys spending time with his family and grandchildren. He jokes that he did not have much of a choice in being drawn to this cause because his wife is our Executive Director, but with a smile he says, “My wife and I have our own passions and we support each other fully. I enjoy watching and helping her dreams come true.” His expertise in carpentry also makes him our lead nest box maker, and while he does not interact with patients daily, he enjoys their antics and watching them go free on release day. He is particularly fond of our educational squirrel, Snags.

Fundraising Manager, Melissa Hilton

Melissa is our Fundraising Manager and also assists with animal care. For as long as she can remember, she has had an uncanny finesse for understanding and interacting with animals, particularly wildlife. No one taught her how; she just did it.

Even as a child growing up on a farm, she was curious to know what was going on in animals’ minds. She recognized that each animal is its own intelligent being with its own behaviors. If Melissa was not out fishing, she was bottle-feeding calves and displaced kittens or searching for critters in the woods.

She not only thoroughly enjoyed interacting with all species of wildlife, she learned to respect them as well. As an adult, Melissa volunteered for another wildlife center for more than three years. In reading wild patients’ charts, one thing stood out to her: many were admitted because of direct or indirect human activity.

That reality deepened her passion for doing everything she could to save their lives. Melissa’s way of showing recognition for the value of all living beings, human, bunny, squirrel, or otherwise, is through wildlife rehabilitation. She hopes her efforts help others realize why each nonhuman life is worth saving.

Melissa has shared her love and admiration for animals, especially wildlife, with her boys. Her eldest is in his third year of college for Wildlife Management, Conservation, and Forestry and plans to seek opportunities to become a Pennsylvania Game Warden.

Melissa is looking forward to continuing her Capture and Transport work, expanding her knowledge by becoming sub-permitted, and studying for her Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator (CWR) designation. Professionally, she is a Licensed Medical Aesthetician, Laser Technician, and licensed in phlebotomy. She also holds a Master Scuba Diver Certification and a Cemetery Relator License.