Post by -|Noel|- on Aug 11, 2006 16:06:38 GMT -5
Jim Boller
Houston SPCA Director of Field Services
Education/Training: Faculty, National Cruelty Investigations School, University of Missouri; National Cruelty Investigators School Levels 1, 2 and 3; National Equine Cruelty Investigations School Levels 1 and 2; Instructor at Houston Police Academy; 28 years of animal-related experience
What is the most challenging part of your job?
The biggest challenge I find with cruelty investigations is remaining objective. Many of the people that we deal with are naïve about proper animal care and it is challenging to educate them as to what is reasonable under the law in Texas. It also can be challenging dealing with those reporting alleged cases of animal cruelty, because sometimes they do not understand why we can't change a situation. For example, there are many times we might find that the animal is not being properly cared for, but the state standard is being met; therefore, legally, no change can be required. Animal related issues are very emotional ones. In order to be effective at what we do we must look at the situation based on what the law allows versus what our personal opinion is.
How do you feel you make a difference?
I think the greatest tool that we have to promote change is education, of which we do very much. Notably, this education is not just limited to animal owners. We also educate others in the animal welfare industry, law enforcement agencies and those in the judicial system. This helps to ensure that, when animal abusers are charged, the case does not fall through holes in the system due to a lack of complete understanding of animal welfare laws. It is important for everyone to realize that animal cruelty affects not only animals, but humans as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jennifer Francis
Houston SPCA Cruelty Investigator
"I'm a native Houstonian and have found the perfect job working for the Houston SPCA," Jennifer says.
She says the best part of her job as a Houston SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigator is getting animals out of bad situations and helping them live better lives. "I love animals, love working for them, love helping them, and am so grateful that I can give them a second chance at life," she adds.
Jennifer believes that one of the greatest ways to help animals will occur through the passage of animal friendly legislation. "We need tougher laws and penalties for people who abuse, neglect and mistreat innocent animals," she says.
Jennifer has attended Levels I and II of the National Cruelty Investigation's School and has six years experience working in a veterinary clinic. She's also a volunteer firefighter for a local fire department.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kristie Franks
Houston SPCA Cruelty Investigator
I am from Corsicana, Texas, and have my B.S. in Animal Science and an M.S. in Agriculture from Sam Houston State University.
I love animals and have been deeply involved in working for animal welfare for ten years. My background in animal emergency and critical care medicine at Texas A&M University helps me quickly identify animal health issues in the field. And, my experience at the Corsicana Animal Shelter gives me an insight into shelter care.
My goal as a member of the Houston SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigations Team is two-fold. First, I am dedicated to giving animals a second chance at a better life. Second, I want to work closely with people, educating them about proper and humane care for their animals. If education doesn't work, I am fully prepared to take action and help the animals through any and all legal channels.
My hope for the future is that our animal cruelty laws in Texas will strengthen and make it easier to prosecute people for the wrong they have done, if necessary.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Jantzen
Assistant Chief Cruelty Investigator
Education/Training: National Cruelty Investigators School Levels 1 and 2; National Equine Cruelty Investigations School
What do you like about your job?
The cruelty investigator is able to see the conditions the animals are living in prior to becoming involved. Once an investigation has begun, the conditions either improve to meet state standards, or the animal is removed. Each of these outcomes is satisfying, knowing that the animals will not have to live in substandard conditions any longer.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of being a cruelty investigator is the thought in the back of one's mind that we are not even scratching the surface of the large numbers of animals living in inhumane conditions. We can only help the animals that we know about. However, there are still animals needing intervention that we do not receive calls about, and these animals continue to live in bad situations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christine Kendrick
Deputy Constable for Harris County Precinct One
Role: Patrol Deputy assigned to the HSPCA; obtains warrants from court for HSPCA animal seizure cases and assists with uncooperative or violent people the HSPCA investigators visit. Christine also does regular police work including answering calls for burglaries and writing traffic tickets.
How did you get assigned to the HSPCA?
Everyone who I work with on the precinct knows I love animals, so I've always got sent on the animal calls. Then four years ago I got officially assigned to the Houston SPCA.
How did you train for the job?
I attended a police officers academy for basic training. With regards to the HSPCA, most of my training has come from tagging along with the investigators and finding out from them what to and what not to do. I've also studied the state law regarding animal cruelty and health and safety.
What do you like about your job?
I like taking animals out of abusive situations. It feels good to help them. Animals are helpless and dependent on what people do to them — they don't have choices.
What do you find challenging about your job?
It's a challenge to deal with the people who have the animals we seize — to empathize with them rather than judge them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheila Kennedy
Houston SPCA Cruelty Investigator
Education/Training: National Cruelty Investigators School, Levels 2 and 3, Bachelor's degree, Marketing
What do you like about your job?
I like my job for many reasons. Being a cruelty investigator helps me to give a voice to the animals. I am also privileged to work with the best team of cruelty investigators in the nation. I get great satisfaction from, when necessary, taking animals out of very bad environments, and giving them a chance at finding a family who will be able to properly care for them.
Why did you choose this career?
I chose to be a cruelty investigator because I am passionate about helping animals. Even as a child, I was always bringing the stray and injured animals home, trying to help them. My family is not at all surprised that I chose this career!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Max Mixson
Houston SPCA Senior Cruelty Investigator
Education/Training: Levels 1 and 2 National Cruelty Investigations School, Equine Cruelty Investigations School
What do you like about your job?
There are many things about being a cruelty investigator that I enjoy. First, and more importantly, I like being able to help people better understand their pets' needs. In situations where the pet owners are resistant to improve the situation, it is rewarding to know that I can remove the animals from a hurtful environment and see them placed in a better home. On a lighter level, I enjoy that there is never a boring day as a cruelty investigator. On any day I may work around animals ranging from house cats and dogs to horses, or even exotic animals.
Why is what you do important to you?
I feel that anytime we bring an animal into our lives, we are responsible for its well being for its entire life. If we fail to provide for that animal, we are doing a great disservice to the animal, our community, and ourselves. A quote from Ghandi reads, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated". If this is a reflection of our community, we still have a long way to go.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sage Whitney
Houston SPCA Cruelty Investigator
I'm proud to be a native Houstonian working as a cruelty investigator at the Houston SPCA.
My job is so rewarding! I know I'm making a difference in the lives of the people and animals I encounter each day.
I grew up with a deep love and passion for animals. Doesn't every child want to be a veterinarian?
I began my career in animal welfare as a kennel technician at a dog training facility in Austin. Then I came home to the Houston SPCA, where I have over two years experience as a veterinary technician. My technical expertise and animal handling skills are extremely beneficial to me in the field.
One of the most important things people can do to help animals is to get their pets spayed or neutered. The Houston SPCA works tirelessly to accept and place animals into new loving homes only to have another 100 arrive each day. Spaying and neutering results in fewer homeless animals and makes happier, healthier pets that live longer lives.
Houston SPCA Director of Field Services
Education/Training: Faculty, National Cruelty Investigations School, University of Missouri; National Cruelty Investigators School Levels 1, 2 and 3; National Equine Cruelty Investigations School Levels 1 and 2; Instructor at Houston Police Academy; 28 years of animal-related experience
What is the most challenging part of your job?
The biggest challenge I find with cruelty investigations is remaining objective. Many of the people that we deal with are naïve about proper animal care and it is challenging to educate them as to what is reasonable under the law in Texas. It also can be challenging dealing with those reporting alleged cases of animal cruelty, because sometimes they do not understand why we can't change a situation. For example, there are many times we might find that the animal is not being properly cared for, but the state standard is being met; therefore, legally, no change can be required. Animal related issues are very emotional ones. In order to be effective at what we do we must look at the situation based on what the law allows versus what our personal opinion is.
How do you feel you make a difference?
I think the greatest tool that we have to promote change is education, of which we do very much. Notably, this education is not just limited to animal owners. We also educate others in the animal welfare industry, law enforcement agencies and those in the judicial system. This helps to ensure that, when animal abusers are charged, the case does not fall through holes in the system due to a lack of complete understanding of animal welfare laws. It is important for everyone to realize that animal cruelty affects not only animals, but humans as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jennifer Francis
Houston SPCA Cruelty Investigator
"I'm a native Houstonian and have found the perfect job working for the Houston SPCA," Jennifer says.
She says the best part of her job as a Houston SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigator is getting animals out of bad situations and helping them live better lives. "I love animals, love working for them, love helping them, and am so grateful that I can give them a second chance at life," she adds.
Jennifer believes that one of the greatest ways to help animals will occur through the passage of animal friendly legislation. "We need tougher laws and penalties for people who abuse, neglect and mistreat innocent animals," she says.
Jennifer has attended Levels I and II of the National Cruelty Investigation's School and has six years experience working in a veterinary clinic. She's also a volunteer firefighter for a local fire department.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kristie Franks
Houston SPCA Cruelty Investigator
I am from Corsicana, Texas, and have my B.S. in Animal Science and an M.S. in Agriculture from Sam Houston State University.
I love animals and have been deeply involved in working for animal welfare for ten years. My background in animal emergency and critical care medicine at Texas A&M University helps me quickly identify animal health issues in the field. And, my experience at the Corsicana Animal Shelter gives me an insight into shelter care.
My goal as a member of the Houston SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigations Team is two-fold. First, I am dedicated to giving animals a second chance at a better life. Second, I want to work closely with people, educating them about proper and humane care for their animals. If education doesn't work, I am fully prepared to take action and help the animals through any and all legal channels.
My hope for the future is that our animal cruelty laws in Texas will strengthen and make it easier to prosecute people for the wrong they have done, if necessary.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Jantzen
Assistant Chief Cruelty Investigator
Education/Training: National Cruelty Investigators School Levels 1 and 2; National Equine Cruelty Investigations School
What do you like about your job?
The cruelty investigator is able to see the conditions the animals are living in prior to becoming involved. Once an investigation has begun, the conditions either improve to meet state standards, or the animal is removed. Each of these outcomes is satisfying, knowing that the animals will not have to live in substandard conditions any longer.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of being a cruelty investigator is the thought in the back of one's mind that we are not even scratching the surface of the large numbers of animals living in inhumane conditions. We can only help the animals that we know about. However, there are still animals needing intervention that we do not receive calls about, and these animals continue to live in bad situations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christine Kendrick
Deputy Constable for Harris County Precinct One
Role: Patrol Deputy assigned to the HSPCA; obtains warrants from court for HSPCA animal seizure cases and assists with uncooperative or violent people the HSPCA investigators visit. Christine also does regular police work including answering calls for burglaries and writing traffic tickets.
How did you get assigned to the HSPCA?
Everyone who I work with on the precinct knows I love animals, so I've always got sent on the animal calls. Then four years ago I got officially assigned to the Houston SPCA.
How did you train for the job?
I attended a police officers academy for basic training. With regards to the HSPCA, most of my training has come from tagging along with the investigators and finding out from them what to and what not to do. I've also studied the state law regarding animal cruelty and health and safety.
What do you like about your job?
I like taking animals out of abusive situations. It feels good to help them. Animals are helpless and dependent on what people do to them — they don't have choices.
What do you find challenging about your job?
It's a challenge to deal with the people who have the animals we seize — to empathize with them rather than judge them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheila Kennedy
Houston SPCA Cruelty Investigator
Education/Training: National Cruelty Investigators School, Levels 2 and 3, Bachelor's degree, Marketing
What do you like about your job?
I like my job for many reasons. Being a cruelty investigator helps me to give a voice to the animals. I am also privileged to work with the best team of cruelty investigators in the nation. I get great satisfaction from, when necessary, taking animals out of very bad environments, and giving them a chance at finding a family who will be able to properly care for them.
Why did you choose this career?
I chose to be a cruelty investigator because I am passionate about helping animals. Even as a child, I was always bringing the stray and injured animals home, trying to help them. My family is not at all surprised that I chose this career!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Max Mixson
Houston SPCA Senior Cruelty Investigator
Education/Training: Levels 1 and 2 National Cruelty Investigations School, Equine Cruelty Investigations School
What do you like about your job?
There are many things about being a cruelty investigator that I enjoy. First, and more importantly, I like being able to help people better understand their pets' needs. In situations where the pet owners are resistant to improve the situation, it is rewarding to know that I can remove the animals from a hurtful environment and see them placed in a better home. On a lighter level, I enjoy that there is never a boring day as a cruelty investigator. On any day I may work around animals ranging from house cats and dogs to horses, or even exotic animals.
Why is what you do important to you?
I feel that anytime we bring an animal into our lives, we are responsible for its well being for its entire life. If we fail to provide for that animal, we are doing a great disservice to the animal, our community, and ourselves. A quote from Ghandi reads, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated". If this is a reflection of our community, we still have a long way to go.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sage Whitney
Houston SPCA Cruelty Investigator
I'm proud to be a native Houstonian working as a cruelty investigator at the Houston SPCA.
My job is so rewarding! I know I'm making a difference in the lives of the people and animals I encounter each day.
I grew up with a deep love and passion for animals. Doesn't every child want to be a veterinarian?
I began my career in animal welfare as a kennel technician at a dog training facility in Austin. Then I came home to the Houston SPCA, where I have over two years experience as a veterinary technician. My technical expertise and animal handling skills are extremely beneficial to me in the field.
One of the most important things people can do to help animals is to get their pets spayed or neutered. The Houston SPCA works tirelessly to accept and place animals into new loving homes only to have another 100 arrive each day. Spaying and neutering results in fewer homeless animals and makes happier, healthier pets that live longer lives.