by Lauren Henderson, Director of Events & Corporate Relations, Humane Pennsylvania

Before I started working at Humane Pennsylvania, animal welfare was not something that crossed my mind on a daily basis. Of course, I wanted animals to be treated humanely, but the constant thought about donations, being an advocate, raising funds, who could I talk about sponsorship, those thoughts were not something that kept me up at night. But that was almost three years ago. 

I have been a part of Humane Pennsylvania since June of 2016 and the support I see for the animals we serve everyday could bring tears to your eyes, and sometimes it does. I hear all the time how much people love animals, but on a daily basis I see so many people prove that. By the donations they make, the support they provide, the sponsors that care about their community, and the staff that fights every day for that hope.

Animals like Marshall, Maisy, Lady Luck and so many others that don’t make it into the headlines. Those are the ones that you, our donors, help to save. That gives me goosebumps just writing it. It is not the easiest thing to say, but money saves the lives of so many helpless animals.

Humane Pennsylvania is not subsidized by any national animal welfare organizations or any county, state or federal tax funding. It is only with your generosity that we’re able to save the lives of thousands of animals each year!

Your contributions give our shelter staff the resources they need to care for the animals, some of those animals facing the most extreme circumstances. Your contributions give our veterinarians the tools they need to perform lifesaving surgeries and give those animals a second chance.

For some money is a scary word, that just the mere thought of it causes anxiety. But money here at Humane Pennsylvania means hope.

On a daily basis, I look for that hope in every event sponsor I obtain, in every corporate meeting I have, in every fundraiser someone hosts on our behalf. Because that hope is what gives a family the animal they never knew they needed. That hope becomes a second chance.

Fundraising allows me to provide countless animals with a second chance. But I couldn’t do any of that without the incredible generosity of our sponsors, donors, corporations, supporters, and volunteers.

Whether you’ve supported Humane Pennsylvania a month ago, or ten years ago – thank you. You provided hope to an animal that desperately needed it.

I invite anyone and everyone interested in providing hope to the animals to contact me, Lauren Henderson, Director of Events & Corporate Relations, at [email protected] to learn more about how your support can provide second chances.

There’s always more hope to give and you can be the one to give that hope to so many animals in need.

by Lindsay High, Director of Marketing, Humane Pennsylvania

Humane Pennsylvania is thrilled to share that Lauren Henderson, former Events & Corporate Relations Manager, has been promoted to Director of Events & Corporate Relations at Humane Pennsylvania.

Lauren joined the Humane Pennsylvania team in June of 2016 as the Events & Donor Relations Manager. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management from Penn State University, she was eager to focus her talents on unique fundraising and event planning opportunities.

“I am excited, honored, and humbled to have been promoted to Director of Events & Corporate Relations for an organization that is leading the way in animal welfare. I’m so fortunate for their belief in me and my abilities to make a difference in the lives of the animals!” – Lauren Henderson, Director of Events & Corporate Relations

Along with receiving her Principles of Fundraising Certification from Villanova University, Lauren applies her depth of event development experience to create meaningful donor engagements throughout both Lancaster and Berks Counties. With a focus on continuously evolving her skills, Lauren is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Berks County.

As she continues to develop memorable events and experiences for the community, Lauren is dedicated to ensuring that all Humane Pennsylvania events and fundraisers are mission-driven and focused on providing sustainable funding resources for the animals she serves.

Please join us in congratulating Lauren on her new role! For more information about Lauren Henderson and ways you can get involved with the organization please call 610-750-6100 x211 or email: [email protected].

by Kristi Rodriguez, Volunteer Coordinator, Humane Pennsylvania

Humane Pennsylvania and its partners can only do the work we do for animals with the help of the over 600 volunteers who donate their time, expertise, and love every single day. Each quarter we take a moment to highlight two of our caring and committed volunteers.

Whether it’s animal care and dog walking, event support, clerical, fundraising, weeding, adoption promotion, or any other of the many volunteer opportunities we have to offer, every volunteer job is part of our success.

Thanks to each and every one of our 2018 volunteers, last year was a phenomenal year for Humane Pennsylvania. Because of their dedication and volunteer efforts, our organization continues to serve homeless animals in both Berks and Lancaster Counties and provide our community with new family members all year long.

Below we are thrilled to spotlight two of our pawsome volunteers!

Humane Society of Berks County: Melissa Snyder

Melissa Snyder began volunteering at the Humane Society of Berks County as a Cat Room Assistant in August 2018.

In just a few short months, her dedication to our shelter felines has become quite evident! Melissa spends just about every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday assisting in the daily cleaning and care of our shelter cats. And as if she doesn’t have her hands full enough with her family and volunteer efforts, Melissa recently adopted a giant, fun-loving Cane Corso from the Humane Society named Tank.

Thank you Melissa, not only for being such an amazing volunteer, but for not having to go far to find a loving family for an amazing dog.

Humane League of Lancaster County: Wilma Beachy

Wilma Beachy has been a foster for the Humane League of Lancaster since April this year.

Since she started fostering she has helped 3 nursing mothers and a total of 18 kittens! Wilma’s most recent litter was the most challenging. At times she would wake up every two hours to help supplement feed the kittens and stimulate them to go to the bathroom. Wilma documents her experience on Instagram at Purrs in Paradise.

We are truly grateful for everything she does for our organization and for all the animals she has help saved.

Want to join our pack of all-star volunteers? Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities or contact Kristi Rodriguez, Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] to get involved. We welcome volunteers to help us make Pennsylvania the most humane state in the nation!

Humane Pennsylvania is excited to announce Dr. Alicia Simoneau has been promoted to Chief Veterinary Officer of Humane Pennsylvania, which represents the region’s largest partnership of animal welfare organizations.

Dr. Alicia Simoneau

Dr. Simoneau is a graduate of Western University of Health Sciences in Southern California. She attended Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA where she attained a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology before veterinary school. Her special interests include holistic and integrative medicine, spay/neuter surgeries and nutrition.

She practices classical homeopathy and is certified to perform acupuncture on dogs, cats and horses. She adores the three rescued Siamese/DSH cats and two adopted Thoroughbred horses.

Dr. Simoneau began her career with Humane Pennsylvania as an Associate Veterinarian then advanced to Senior Veterinarian prior to being promoted to this new role as Chief Veterinary Officer.

In her new role and in alignment with the organization’s mission to build the best community anywhere to be an animal and to provide the highest level care, Dr. Simoneau will be the veterinary director and coordinate the veterinary initiatives undertaken by Humane Pennsylvania’s shelters, practice, and the consulting services.

Dr. Simoneau will also serve as Chief Veterinary Officer for Animal Welfare Management Services, Humane Pennsylvania’s consulting division, which provides consulting and management services across the nation and in Canada.

She will have direct management authority over the medical programs of the Humane Society of Berks County shelter as well as the veterinary services provided through the Healthy Pets, Healthy Lives program. This program is a groundbreaking initiative created by Humane Pennsylvania with support from The Giorgi Family Foundation, to help animals and their families lead better, healthier, and happier lives together.
Through this program, Reading area pet owners are encouraged to take advantage of paramount opportunities to receive low-cost veterinarian services from the region’s leading veterinarians to help their pet receive the highest level of care at an affordable cost.

Health and wellness, or lack thereof, are among the driving forces leading to the breakdown of the human/pet bond, potential shelter intake, and needless death. Dr. Simoneau will be leading efforts to help ensure pets in our community receive the care they need and are able to remain happy and healthy in their homes.

Humane Pennsylvania is also proud to be one of the nation’s only networks of non-profit veterinary animal hospitals. As AAHA Accredited veterinary hospitals, our Humane Veterinary Hospitals of America (HVH), located in Lancaster and Berks Counties, are recognized among the finest in the industry, and are consistently at the forefront of advanced veterinary medicine and veterinary excellence.

We believe that the best way to keep pets happy and healthy at home is to make sure they have access to high quality and affordable veterinary care. Access to veterinary care is shown to be one of the most important factors in keeping animals out of shelters, and our veterinarians help provide that care to animals throughout the community.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Simoneau on her new role. To learn more about her expertise and the exceptional care both her and her team provide to pets throughout our community, please contact us at [email protected] or call 610-921-VETS (8387).