St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, November 20, 2002
CONTACTS:
Contacts: Gil Copley, Director-Community Health and the Environment (636)
949-7347
Theresa Williams, Director - Division of Humane Services (636) 949-7387
Theresa Williams Leads the Pack at Pet
Adoption Center
County Welcomes 25-Year Professional to the Division
of Humane Services
St. Charles County -St. Charles County Government
is pleased to announce the arrival of Theresa Williams as the Director
of the Division of Humane Services. Ms. Williams will be responsible for
leading the county's animal control program and managing the highly successful
Pet Adoption Center on Mid Rivers Mall Drive. Ms. Williams brings 25 years
of humane service expertise to St. Charles County and is uniquely qualified
to continue St. Charles County's impressive record of animal control and
care. She assumed her duties in October. Her arrival was the culmination
of a nine-month, nation-wide search effort.
As the new leader of the Division of Humane Services, Ms.
Williams is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the St. Charles
County Pet Adoption Center which shelters and adopts animals, provides
pet owner education and animal control services, and investigates incidents
involving animal cruelty and neglect. She comes to St. Charles County
from California where she served most recently as shelter manager for
the City of Chula Vista Police Department Animal Shelter Division and
previously worked in animal control for San Diego County. Her extensive
experience includes shelter management, kennel, patrol, animal training,
special investigations, public education and information for animal advocacy,
and service on a dangerous dog task force. Ms. Williams graduated from
the Humane Academy and Animal Control Officer Academy Levels I, II, and
III and has earned certificates in Canine Temperament Testing,Disaster
Planning, and Basic Supervision and Management. In addition, she was a
certified trainer for Rabies and Dog Bite Prevention, a trainer for Interaction
Management for the County of San Diego and an instructor for the National
Animal Control Association training conference.
"Theresa has exceptional experience in humane services
and brings a wealth of knowledge as well as a passion for animals to this
position," says Gil Copley, Director of St. Charles County's Department
of Community Health and the Environment, which oversees the Division of
Humane Services. "She has volunteered and served in leadership roles
for many animal welfare and advocacy groups and her dedication to promoting
the responsible ownership of pets is a perfect match to the needs of our
pet adoption program. We want to expand the services offered and she and
her new staff are already planning a number of new initiatives and programs."
Since her arrival in St. Charles County in October, Williams
has eagerly tackled the challenges presented by the popularity of the
St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center and looks forward to adding new
programs and services to the facility.
"After exploring opportunities in areas all around
the country, I decided that St. Charles County has much to offer. There
are many animal control challenges here and an opportunity to work with
others that wish to see the county develop new, progressive programs that
help animals in this community."
St. Charles County Government is pleased to have Ms. Williams'
caliber of experience on staff, as her dedication to the humane services
profession will further enhance public service at the Pet Adoption Center.
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