Education: FJ Reitz High School ‘89 B.S. Public Relations, Emphasis in Radio/Television, University of Southern Indiana ‘95 Certificate in Fundraising, Indiana University School of Philanthropy Leadership Evansville graduate
@VHS: Kendall began her career with the VHS cleaning kennels in 1994. She has since served as the Operations Manager, the Public Relations & Events Manager, and now CEO since 2004. She celebrated 25 years of service to the VHS in 2019.
Pets: 2 dogs, Eleven the Boxer and Dude the Boston Terrier (VHS alumni); 1 cat, Goose (River Kitty Cat Cafe alum); 2 hens; and her VHS office pet, Severus Snake the ball python (VHS alum)
Fandoms: Harry Potter, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings
Favorite Sports Teams: Chicago Cubs & Pittsburgh Steelers
Allison Miller Business Manager
Hometown: Evansville, IN
Education: Evansville Day School '99 Indiana Business College
@VHS: Allison joined the VHS Board of Directors in 2016 while working at Banterra Bank. She was a manager of the Evansville Pet Supplies Plus store for 3 years and then joined the VHS as the new Business Manager in March 2021.
Pets: Henry the dog; 2 cats, Oscar (VHS alumnus) and Mogwai; Jello the leopard gecko; a family of hissing cockroaches; and 4 aquariums full of fish
Favorite Music: bubblegum pop, classic rock, and the occasional hip hop
Favorite Movies: Pete's Dragon (original); Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (original); and Pet Sematary (original)
Mackenzee McKittrick
Events and Volunteer Coordinator
Hometown: Bowling Green, Indiana
Education:
Clay City Highschool ‘13
Indiana State University ‘18
@VHS: Mackenzee started volunteering with VHS in 2019. She has spent a total of 8 years fostering and is passionate about neonate and special needs kittens.
Pets: 2 dogs, Teegan and Mortimer; 4 cats (2 with CH), Doodle Bob (VHS Alum), Tav, Puppers & Edna (nakey girl)
Hobbies: Hiking, volleyball, fostering, organizing and decorating
Laurie Byers
Development and Public Relations Coordinator
Hometown: Boonville, Indiana
Education:
Castle High School ‘03
University of Evansville ‘18
@VHS: Laurie joined the team in the summer of 2021.
Pets: 2 dogs, Pedro and Manny; 2 cats, Egg and Gus; and 3 hermit crabs. Gone but not forgotten: Showbiz (chihuahua/best friend for 15 years), who passed away July 2021 Signs: Libra Sun, Sagittarius Moon, Leo Rising
Hobbies: RV’ing, hiking, travel, arts and crafts
Wende McKinney Operations Manager
Hometown: Evansville, IN
Education: Harrison High School ’02 B.A. Psychology with Concentration in Animal Behavior, Purdue University ‘07
@VHS: Wende joined the VHS team as an Animal Care Technician in 2008. She has served as Medical/Intakes Supervisor, and was promoted to Assistant Operations Manager in 2009. She became Operations Manager in 2016.
Pets: 1 dog, Sunny the Golden Retriever; 4 cats, Timmy, Olaf, Tilt, and Betty
Myers-Briggs personality type: ISFP-A
Favorite type of tea: Bubble tea
Amy Hairston Assistant Operations Manager
Hometown: Evansville, IN
Education: Reitz High School
@VHS: Amy rejoined the VHS staff in 2019 as the Assistant Operations Manager. Her total time working at VHS, previously + currently, is more than 12 years!
Pets: 2 dogs, Oscar & Lolli; 2 cats, Kittaly & Reggie; and Betty Bunny the rabbit
If you were a dog, what breed would you be? A mutt! :)
Education: Bedford-North Lawrence High School ‘80 B.A. Telecommunications & Theater, Indiana University ‘84
@VHS: Cyndi began volunteering as a docent at VHS in 1995. She was asked to join the VHS team in 2003 and now splits her time between Humane Education and the Volunteer program.
Pets: Joey the Golden Retriever (VHS alum). (In loving memory of Fiona the Golden Retriever, pictured above, who was a beloved part of the VHS Humane Education team for more than 10 years and passed away August 1, 2020.)
Education: Harrison High School ‘65 West Side Beauty College
@VHS: Diane has dedicated nearly her entire adult life to the VHS’ cause. Her mother was a long-time volunteer until her passing in 1997. Diane carries on her legacy today and has served as a volunteer, Board Member from 1982-2004, and staff member from 2004-present.
Pets: 2 cats, Bailey & Bengal (VHS alumni). (In loving memory of Ms. Wiggles Whipkey, the wiggly pit bull in the photo above who was the Happy Tails Resale Shop "canine CEO" and passed away in May 2021.)
Favorite Movie: Dances with Wolves
If you were a dog, what breed would you be? An American Staffordshire Terrier (“pit bull”) of course!
Vanessa Brown Foster Care Coordinator
Hometown: Evansville, IN
Education: Reitz High School & Signature School
@VHS: Vanessa originally joined the VHS team in 2011. After a year away, she rejoined the organization in 2016. She has served in a variety of animal care roles, and most recently accepted the Foster Care Coordinator position in February 2021.
Pets: 3 dogs, Zoey the pit mix, Scotty the Chihuahua mix; and Roxy the Australian Cattle Dog mix; and 2 cats, Jack Action and Palley. All 5 are VHS alumni.
Favorite Music: Elle King, Kacey Musgraves, & 90's country
Favorite Books: Too many to choose! Lately, true crime books (and podcasts.)
Doug Sims Facilities Technician
Operations Staff with at least 1 year of service:
Adoptions Team:
Kellsie Phillips Adoption Counselor
Kalea Baize Adoptions Supervisor
Intakes Team:
Helena Brendel-Niles Intakes Supervisor
Ashley Turner Intake Counselor
Animal Care Team:
Mara Gleason Animal Care Technician & Photographer
Alex Noble Animal Care Technician
Kayleb Tooley Animal Care Technician
Clinic Staff:
Dr. Julie Gray, DVM Full-Time Veterinarian
Dr. Caroline Christmas Part-Time Contract Veterinarian
Dr. Duane Lautner Part-Time Contract Veterinarian
Austyn Stock Clinic Manager
Rachel DeVasier Clinic Receptionist
Vet Assistants with at least 1 year of service: Maddi Hargett Brittany Wilkinson Lauren Stuckey
