The Animal Care Team is the backbone of Asheville Humane Society. From feeding, cleaning, and monitoring, to bonding, playing, and walking, our Animal Care Team members are essential to keeping our organization afloat. Every Monday we will be highlighting a team member who has shown exceptional care and dedication to the animals in our care and our mission.
Meet SeAnna
Animal Care Team Member
In the few months that SeAnna has been on the AHS Animal Care Team, she has made an incredible impact. In addition to caring for dogs on our campus, SeAnna also fostered many dogs, AND adopted her own pup from AHS! She is incredibly dedicated to animals and meticulous about the care and attention she gives each one. Though she will be deeply missed, we are so excited that SeAnna has been accepted to veterinary school at NC State and will be leaving us next week.
What does it mean to you to work in animal care?
Working in animal care is nurturing the companions that nurture us.
What are some of the best parts of your job?
Taking dogs on walks and watching them enjoy themselves, the satisfaction of watching a dog go back into a clean and cozy kennel after I’ve cleaned it. It is also very rewarding to win over shy/scared dogs, watching them realize that people are ok and they’re safe. To see some of them transform into happy pups that give lots of tail wags always makes me smile. There is so much joy in caring for these animals! And the coworkers here are the best I’ve ever had, everyone is so wonderful here!
What are some of the hardest parts of your job?
Some of the hardest parts of this job are seeing the animals you can’t help. We all put our heart and soul into tending every pet that comes our way and love them like they’re ours while they’re here. It’s a wonderful feeling to watch them go to good homes and a heartbreaking one when we lose them.
Have you had any moment that has really stuck out to you as a reason you keep coming back? Or, why do you keep coming back?
I primarily work with the dogs (I love cats but am more of a dog person) and getting to know these pups keeps me coming back. There are so many varying personalities and I love meeting them and making friends with them. I feel good sharing my time and affection with them as they wait for their forever home. Winning the cautious canines over is particularly rewarding!
Why do you feel so passionately about animals?
I have been raised with animals my whole life, and pets have always been family. I’m passionate about animals because I think they’re incredible. They’re complex and emotional, they have social dynamics and they are sincere. Befriending an animal is one of the best things you can do. They offer love and companionship and can teach more than you might think.
What do you want the public to know about your job?
Animal care is an emotional job. Sometimes there are very strong emotions from both sides of the spectrum in the same day. The public should know how much it takes to maintain such a phenomenal humane society. Each and every person works so hard and it has been an honor to be a part of this team.
Anything else you want to add?
I am about to begin my first semester of veterinary school and will have to move to Raleigh. I will miss working here and it feels more like I’m leaving a great friend group, not just a job. Keep up the amazing work, guys! I’ll make sure to visit whenever I’m in town so I can help out!
