Elizabeth Accomando is a lifelong community advocate, animal welfare leader, and elected official whose work has touched thousands of lives—both two- and four-legged—across Palm Beach County.

 

Her community service journey began in 2013 as a volunteer administrator for Lox Lost and Found Pets, where she helped reunite hundreds of lost pets with their families and facilitated the donation of pet oxygen masks to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and PBSO. 

 

In 2014, she successfully petitioned for lost pet signage across the district. That same year, she and her husband Steve founded Barky Pines Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing urgent shelter dogs and farm animals in partnership with Palm Beach County. Since its inception, the organization has saved taxpayers over $2 million and placed hundreds of animals in loving homes.

 

In 2016, Elizabeth and Steve purchased a flood-prone, undeveloped 5.5-acre parcel of land and transformed it into the Barky Pines Sanctuary and farm that exists today. By 2018, she worked with local officials to activate a 640-acre “unit” with the Indian Trail Improvement District (ITID), ending years of regional flooding and improving quality of life for local residents.

 

Her leadership expanded further when she opened Barky Pines Veterinary Clinic in 2022. The clinic provides low-cost services including TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return), spay/neuter for at-risk breeds, and medical support for families on government assistance—serving over 7,000 pets and their people, particularly folks in the western communities.

 

Elizabeth’s efforts have always extended beyond animal welfare. Over the years, she has:

 

• Donated vehicles and support items (including a TV and a custom gurney) to families and local hospitals

• Partnered with “People of Purpose in The Glades” to help reduce recidivism, including donating a bus for community meetings

• Mentored youth in the service industry and facilitated student service learning through the 15th District Court and Boy Scouts of America

• Helped develop and dedicate Loxahatchee’s first dog park

• Organized CPR and Narcan training for pet safety

• Implemented an annual 5K fundraiser with Leadership Palm Beach County

• Brought joy through events for “National Love Your Pet Day” at the Guatemalan Maya Center

• Volunteer with the American Red Cross to provide emergency medical aid and housing to those in need after a disaster.

 

A frequent speaker at schools and pre-vet programs across Palm Beach County, Elizabeth continues to educate and inspire. She also launched a pet loss support group in 2024 and, in 2025, opened a public Rainbow Bridge memorial at the farm to honor beloved pets.

 

Her impact has been widely recognized. Since 2020, her organization has earned numerous Palm Beach Post “Community Choice” Awards. 

 

In 2024, the Accomandos celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Barky Pines with a proclamation from the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, delivered by Commissioner Marci Woodward.

 

Elizabeth is also proud of her certifications from ICAR and ASE in auto body, and of her hands-on contributions—donating, mentoring, planning, building, and advocating—to make her community stronger every day.