The Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) recently hired Carmen LeBlanc as supervisor of Animal Health & Behavior.
In this role, LeBlanc will provide focused and accurate evaluation of newly-admitted animals, with the ability to assess the mental and physical well-being of shelter animals, especially long-term stays. She will support adoption services, helping to match the right animals with adopters. Training for staff and volunteers will also be a critical role LeBlanc will play at HSSW.
“Carmen is a trusted voice in the animal community and one that elevates the credibility of HSSW in the sheltering world,” said Lisa Feder, director of shelter operations. “An applied animal behaviorist with her qualifications is rarely found in a humane society operation of our size, so this is a big win for HSSW and our community.”
LeBlanc has more than 15 years of experience in the field of companion animal behavior and is only one of 60 who is uniquely qualified as an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (ACAAB). She has developed and managed animal shelter behavior programs in Washington, Oregon and Illinois, in addition to speaking at conferences and providing animal behavior training.
LeBlanc earned her master’s degree in animal behavior, winning the Marion Breland-Bailey Award for her student research in canine learning, and graduated with honors from the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers. She is a member of the Animal Behavior Society, Behavior Education Network, Association of Professional Dog Trainers and is an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Puppy STAR evaluator. She also competes with her own dogs and has titled them in Competition Obedience, Rally Obedience and Musical Freestyle.
HSSW is open Tues.-Sun., noon-6 p.m., and is located at 1100 NE 192nd Ave., Vancouver, just north of Mill Plain Boulevard. More information may be found online at www.southwesthumane.org or by calling (360) 693-4746.
