PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS

Being part of a hard-working team of professionals, attention to detail, efficient & effective work environments and systems, helping people pursue their professional passions and be successful in that pursuit.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Family & friends, spending time outdoors, reading, special-needs animal rescue.

EDUCATION

BA Psychology, Zoology Minor – Ohio Wesleyan University

HOW I GOT HERE

As a child growing up in Fairfax, I cared for and rescued any animal that needed help.  I knew that I was destined to be surrounded by animals in my professional and private life. While on a trip to Marineland in Florida when I was 6-years old, I decided that I was going to train dolphins.  With that goal in mind, I attended Ohio Wesleyan University to study Psychology and Zoology and got SCUBA certified.  I was invited go to San Antonio, Texas to fulfill my dream job at SeaWorld where I was a Senior Marine Mammal Trainer working with the whales, dolphins, sea lions, walruses and otters.

After 10 years there I returned to Northern Virginia to be close to my family. I found a positon as the Animal Care Manager for a private animal sanctuary in The Plains, VA. It was a bucolic safe haven for cats, dogs and horses.  I advanced to become the Operations Manager and was part of the “farmily” for 17 years.  I have enjoyed being a Certified Therapy Dog Handler and rescuing special needs dogs and cats.  Most recently, my sweet 10-year old Shih Tzu named Butler who has epilepsy. My other fur babies are a 12-year old kitty named Dexter and a 1-year old fluff ball of a kitty named Tuesday (who I found in a Harris Teeter/Tuesday Morning parking lot).  I have truly enjoyed joining the Pender family.