Meet the Wonder Women of Helen Woodward Animal Center
In case you didn’t know, March 8 is International Women’s Day. (It’s ok, we forgive you.) This is a time to recognize the amazing ladies in your life who should be celebrated every day!
Because March is also International Women’s Month, it’s only fitting that we highlight the women who help Helen Woodward Animal Center serve the people and pets in our community. Here are some of the amazing women who work hard to run the Center and keep its ethos alive.
Name: Robin Cohen
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 29
Position: Pet Encounter Therapy (PET) Manager
As a new University of California – San Diego graduate, Robin was looking for work and happened upon the Center’s then “Canine Companions for Independence” program. After first working at Club Pet, she later found her calling as head the Pet Encounter Therapy department. Robin, her team of volunteers and their pets visit people in skilled nursing facilities, children’s shelters, hospitals, psychiatric units and more to share the unconditional love and tactile benefits of animals.
My favorite part of working here is witnessing an animal’s ability to help us heal our hearts, our minds and our bodies.
ROBIN COHEN, PET ENCOUNTER THERAPY MANAGER
In 2020, Robin faced one of the biggest challenges of her career when the pandemic brought all in-person PET visits to a halt. Since then, she has had to temporarily reinvent the program, offering virtual visits, drive-thru experiences and a pen pal program.
“One of my biggest challenges as the PET manager is not being able to help every client or facility in need,” Robin said. “Before COVID-19 hit, we were doing 55-65 monthly visits out in the community, and we still had over 30 facilities on our waiting list. PET can offer so many benefits, and I hate that we can’t reach everyone!”
We celebrate Robin’s continued dedication to helping animals and people heal one another.
Name: Patricia A. Carter, DVM
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 14
Position: Chief of Staff at Companion Animal Hospital
In 2005, Dr. Carter decided she wanted to use her veterinary training to give back and began work as the Adoptions Department veterinarian. She now serves as Chief of Staff at Companion Animal Hospital, overseeing the care of and providing care to beloved family pets, the Center’s orphan cats and dogs, and our Education animal ambassadors.
Follow your dreams and don’t give up. Be passionate about what you do and always strive to learn and improve.
DR. PATRICIA CARTER’S ADVICE TO ASPIRING VETS
We celebrate Dr. Carter’s expertise and all she does to help save our furry friends.
Name: Michelle Carll
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 6
Position: Education Supervisor
Fresh out of college, Michelle began her career working at Companion Animal Hospital. This experience led her to realize that public education is key to animal welfare. Soon, she found the Center’s Education department, took a job as an instructor and worked her way up to supervisor.
Like many departments at the Center, Michelle and the Education team had to completely rethink their programs once COVID-19 hit.
“We transitioned to a virtual platform, performing daily Facebook Live videos, Instagram Lives and Zoom meetings with groups like schools and Girl Scout troops,” Michelle said. “Although this was something we had never done before, the feedback from our audience was amazing.”
“Being on a virtual platform allowed us to reach people all across the US, something we had never been able to do before,” she added.
Once children learn to have respect for animals, they take that lesson with them through life and use it to practice empathy and kindness to others people, not just animals.
MICHELLE CARLL, EDUCATION SUPERVISOR
We celebrate Michelle’s passion for teaching the next generation of animal lovers.
Name: Lisa Chow
Years at the Center: 4
Position: Payroll Clerk
“People help animals and animals help people.” That’s the line from an online job posting that made Lisa want to join the Helen Woodward Animal Center team. Today, she is a part of the Accounting and Human Resources departments. After 4 years at the Center, Lisa is still passionate about the work she does to help make the staff feel cared for (especially All-Staff lunches!)
“We always try to think of fun new ways to celebrate our employees each month, and that itself is rewarding,” Lisa said.
Lisa’s advice for other women in the workforce? Take it one day at a time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
She also offered this practical piece of advice: “It definitely helps to plan out your week in advance if you anticipate big deadlines to meet, especially in payroll!”
We celebrate Lisa for her constant motivation to help others.
Name: Emily Medina
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 3
Position: Animal Care Technician at Club Pet
From an early age, Emily has felt a special connection to animals. That love followed her into adulthood and led her to a career at Club Pet, where she provides and coordinates care for our boarding, doggie daycare and pet grooming guests. Always willing to lend a hand, Emily switched gears when the pandemic hit and worked temporarily for AniMeals Relief.
“It was very rewarding to see us all come together to make sure people and animals were taken care of,” she said.
We celebrate Emily’s devotion to our animals and her fellow staff.
Name: Sarah Jilka
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 2
Position: Barn Coordinator and AniMeals Supervisor
I hope to be a walking mission statement. I hope to truly show people how much we help animals, but also to show how much they help us.
SARAH JILKA, HELEN WOODWARD ANIMAL CENTER
In just 2 short years, Sarah has made an incredible impact at the Center. After college, she found her dream job helping horses at our Equine Hospital.
“In Equine, we work in high-stress situations all the time handling and treating patients,” Sarah said. “It is always rewarding to be part of the healing and recovery process. Seeing the horses go home is also rewarding, even though we may have bonded while they were here.”
Later, the opportunity arose to manage AniMeals (a program that enables senior citizens, disabled veterans and others in need keep their pets by providing them with free pet food.) Now, she does both!
“Both of these departments allow me to live my passion each day,” Sarah said. “I get to help people and animals, and it is so rewarding. Both help me to grow in my career and keep each day interesting.”
We celebrate Sarah’s positivity and hard work x2!
Name: Celeste Gale
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 2
Position: Lead Vet Assistant
Celeste’s career at the Center started with a leap of faith; she left a stable, conventional job to pursue her passion for animals. After working at the Adoptions front desk and in the Foster department, she has found her perfect fit in Adoptions Medical, providing care and treatment to orphan cats and dogs.
“My favorite part of working at the Center is getting to work with rescued animals,” Celeste said. “Animals that come to us usually come from difficult situations, and it’s evident they are grateful for our care, love and attention once they arrive.”
“Although it can be emotionally and physically draining at times, it’s so rewarding when [the animals] are 100% healthy again and feel like themselves,” she added.
In addition to working full-time at the Center, Celeste is also studying to be a vet tech. We celebrate Celeste’s perseverance to reach her dreams and her mission to heal animals.
Name: Hannah Wilson
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 1
Position: Foster Program Lead
Hannah has been with the Center for only a year, but she is already making strides. Our Foster department finds temporary homes for orphan dogs, cats, puppies and kittens who aren’t quite ready for adoption, and Hannah prides herself in matching them with the right foster families.
Hannah’s advice to women interested in a career working with animals? There’s no time like the present to get experience.
“Volunteering (especially as a foster!) is a great way to get your feet wet,” Hannah said.
We celebrate Hannah for making sure our fosters feel welcome and have everything they need.
Name: Deryn Hannapel
Years at Helen Woodward Animal Center: 2.5
Position: Therapeutic Riding Barn Coordinator
Deryn moved to San Diego in August 2018 and was searching for jobs in the equine field before stumbling upon the Center. She had always worked with horses but never in a therapeutic riding program. Deryn was excited to experience another way that horses can have an impact on the lives of others.
While working with horses may be exciting. Deryn emphasizes that this line of work can be physically demanding and requires keen attention to detail.
“Not only can a job with horses be fairly physically demanding, but you also have to be able to enjoy working outdoors (in any weather!),” Deryn said, “With the nature of our program, attention to detail is also an essential trait to have, for the safety of both our participants and our horses. Also, having a compassionate personality is a must.”
I love being part of such a meaningful program, and it’s a privilege to be able to work with our incredible therapy horses and see the positive impact they have on our riders and their families. And for me, working with horses has never felt like “work.”
Deryn Happanel, Helen Woodward Animal Center
While most of her role entails “behind the scenes” duties, Deryn plays a huge part in keeping our horses healthy and happy for our riders to see as they pull into the Center.
Join this incredible team! Search job postings at Helen Woodward Animal Center.
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