Originally from Austin, Texas, I moved to Los Angeles nearly 6 years ago to work in the television production industry.

My love for animals started at a very young age with my first cat, Muffin who virtually grew up with me from age 3 to 21. An only child myself, Muffin was like a sibling to me... I'm sure she sat at dozens of tea parties with my stuffed animals. She lived til my 21st b-day, passing peacefully in my arms. She is burried in an ivy garden in my mom's backyard, near a bird bath. It's unbelievable how powerful the bond between an animal and human can be. Her print will always live in my heart.

I've felt a bond with many animals throughout my life, even if it was momentarily, in a stare or constantly being hyper-sensitive to animal-related issues, and very present to the way animals are treated, and having an ongoing desire to help in some way. My current pet, a Jack Mix named Lily, who is now 3, was found wondering around the streets of downtown LA at 4 months old. I have learned so much from this dog. I think that when you rescue an animal, you rescue a part of yourself. It is a real gift.

I suppose all of it is part of a path, which led me to Best Friends Animal Society. First by having this sensitivity towards animals all my life, then finding the strays, then meeting Billy, volunteering, and then eventually ending up working for Los Angeles Programs. I have no regrets about my career shift, and in fact, see myself ALWAYS playing some sort of part of this powerful notion "A Better World Through Kindness To Animals."