On the Front Lines for Animals

Her passion for animal welfare runs deep and wide. She’s been a dedicated MSPCA-Angell donor since 1990, and her goal is simple and powerful: to help others see the life-changing work the MSPCA-Angell does every day and to inspire them to join her in supporting it.

Susanna first connected with the MSPCA-Angell through Nevins Farm. She took in several of the horses on the farm through the winter and covered the cost of their care. That experience opened her eyes to the full scope of MSPCA-Angell’s work, and she kept learning, giving, and getting involved. Over the years, she’s grown close with staff members across the nonprofit, building trusted relationships that make her feel confident in every gift she makes. “People have worked so hard to get the MSPCA-Angell where it is today,” she says. “We have to keep going.”

Her advocacy efforts extend past the MSPCA-Angell’s Methuen farm. Susanna helped establish national welfare guidelines for polo ponies and was later honored with the Clint Nangle Equine Animal Welfare Award for her efforts. She’s especially passionate about programs that teach kids about animals and their habitats. Her ties to Appleton Farms and interest in expanding its educational reach show just how forward-thinking she is, and she’s always looking for ways to help the next generation care better and do more.

“Animals don’t have their own voice,” Susanna says. “They need us.” It’s this belief that fuels her philanthropy. Her most recent gift of $1 million over the next ten years to the nonprofit supports the “Bear Fund,” in honor of Bear, her dog, whom she adopted from the MSPCA-Angell. And while she understands there’s never enough funding to help every animal in need, she’s determined to remain part of the solution. “I’m glad that I can give — and I hope others will be moved to do the same,” she said.

At 16, Copper lived a long and cherished life, despite having heart disease and a degenerative spinal condition. “He wasn’t just a dog,” Mary said, “He was my fifth child.” And throughout his life, MSPCA-Angell’s medical team was by their side, offering medical care, compassion, and unwavering support. When it was time to say goodbye, Copper’s veterinarian met her outside in MSPCA-Angell’s parking lot in Boston, a simple gesture of empathy she’ll never forget. The next day, both Copper’s primary vet and a specialist called to check in with Mary. “It was an extraordinary act of kindness,” she recalled.

Now, Mary’s family has welcomed a new Cavalier puppy, and Copper’s medical team at the MSPCA-Angell shares in their excitement. “To me, MSPCA-Angell isn’t just a world-class hospital —it’s a vital part of the community,” she says. “They’re experts in every specialty, but their commitment to compassion is what truly sets them apart.”

Mary is also inspired by the hospital’s deep commitment to helping the most vulnerable animals. She recalls a time when she witnessed a frantic woman rush into the ER with her injured dog, and when the woman couldn’t pay, MSPCA-Angell took the dog in without hesitation. “That one moment said everything,” Mary recalled.

“I believe animals have souls,” she said. “And there are so many people who love their pets deeply but can’t afford emergency care. That’s why I give to the MSPCA-Angell. My donations honor Copper’s life and help others get the same level of care and kindness that we received.”