Staff Spotlight: Courtney
Meet Courtney, one of our dedicated dog kennel aides at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. Courtney has been with us since June 2019 and has loved every second of it. As a kennel aide, her goal is to always make a difference for every dog in our care. In her spare time, she’s a gamer (Mass Effect, Fallout, and Dragon Age series are some faves) and an artist. She focuses on character design, using pencils and paint to create digital and traditional art.
Courtney with her adopted dog Jasmine
In the following Q&A, Courtney shares the rewards and challenges of a typical day as a kennel aide.
Q. What’s a day in the life at the shelter?
A. It varies from day to day, but typically I come in for a later shift, assessing the current status of the kennels and dogs. I can be doing anything from feeding, providing enrichment via toys and treats, and exercising the dogs. And I maintain the tidiness of the kennels and common areas to keep the environment clean and safe. Dinnertime is always a blast, and squeezing in some time with the dogs for extra love and attention is always a bonus.
Q. What inspired you to work in animal welfare?
A. I’ve always liked animals, but what got me hooked was volunteering. I started volunteering at the shelter in 2018 as a Pet Food & Supply Pantry volunteer, where I helped support community members in need and helped stock the shelves. About a year later, a job opened up and I was able to join the team as a staff member!
Q. What do you enjoy most about working here?
A. I really enjoy working with the dogs, especially those that need extra time to trust me. Building that bond with dogs is so crucial in helping prepare them for their eventual home. In the meantime, we’re here to love on the dogs till their future family comes along.
Q. Can you tell us about a memorable experience?
A. Ah, sweet ol’ Papa Bear. He was a big, beefy pit bull mix who came in with two other puppies. Of course, we called them Baby Bear and Little Bear since they were miniature versions of Papa. Papa’s stay at the shelter was a bit longer, which effects any dog mentally after a while. Whenever we brought him outside, his big personality came out in spades. Papa was a goofy boy; I just loved him to pieces.
Being both excited and strong made Papa one of the more challenging dogs to walk. With some patience and training, we were able to help his overly-excited, muscle-man walk style change into something calmer and more patient. Eventually, he was able to go into a foster home to decompress. After a few days, he made even more improvement; he was gentle, easy to walk, and getting better and better with strangers. And soon after that, a happy ending: Papa Bear was adopted! I’m grateful to have been a part of his journey to a loving home.
Sweet ol’ Papa Bear resting at his loving home
Courtney, thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the shelter!
Interested in a career at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County? Check out our careers page for opportunities and apply today!
