Animal Welfare & Rescue
Animals have always been a big part of my life, and that interest has carried into so much of my work. Here you'll find a collection of animal welfare reporting from my TV news career, along with personal storytelling, social content and marketing campaign concepts focused on rescue, adoption and the human-animal bond.
Selected Reporting
Shelter & Rescue
Volunteers spend time walking shelter dogs on Thanksgiving
Covered the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association’s annual Furry Feast, where about 100 volunteers spent Thanksgiving morning walking shelter dogs and giving animals a little extra holiday attention.
WCHS-TV | November 2018
Putnam County Animal Shelter offers 'Tales to Tails' reading program for kids
Featured a shelter program that brings children in kindergarten through third grade to read to cats and dogs, benefiting both the kids' reading skills and the animals' socialization.
WCHS-TV | March 2019
Charlevoix Area Humane Society receives dogs from Detroit area
Reported on the transfer of three rescued dogs from Detroit to a northern Michigan shelter, giving them a chance to recover and find loving homes.
UpNorthLive| December 2015
Nonprofit hosts fundraiser to help homeless senior dogs
Highlighted Silver Muzzle Cottage's efforts to rescue homeless senior dogs, provide hospice care and create a safe place for them to live out their lives.
UpNorthLive | September 2015
Animal Health & Care
Charleston clinic discusses importance of World Spay Day
Visited Charleston's Fix'Em Clinic to explore how affordable spay and neuter services help prevent unwanted litters, reduce shelter populations and improve animal health.
WCHS-TV | February 2019
How to keep your pets cool in the heat
Spoke with a local veterinarian about recognizing heat exhaustion in pets and keeping them safe during the hot summer months.
WCHS-TV | May 2017
Originally produced for WCHS-TV. Video hosted on my personal YouTube channel.
Therapy & Working Dogs
Therapy dog bonds with patients at children's hospital
Met Moses, a 175-pound Newfoundland who visits young patients at a Charleston children's hospital, bringing comfort, smiles and a welcome distraction during difficult moments.
WCHS-TV | February 2019
Originally produced for WCHS-TV. Video hosted on my personal YouTube channel.
Dog in charge of wildlife control at airport
Featured Piper, a Border Collie responsible for keeping birds away from aircraft at Cherry Capital Airport. My original interview and B-roll footage from this story were later used in national television coverage.
UpNorthLive | April 2015
Originally produced for UpNorthLive. Video hosted on my personal YouTube channel.
New therapy dog joins elementary school in Charleston
Introduced Axelle, a young Labrador retriever helping provide emotional support and bring a little extra joy to students and staff at a Charleston elementary school.
WCHS-TV | March 2018
Meet the newest pups teaming up with Cabell County law enforcement
Introduced Ruger and Asher, two bloodhound puppies training to help local law enforcement track suspects, locate missing people and investigate wildfires.
WCHS-TV | January 2018
‘Hercules’ takes over duties as Yeager Airport bird dog
Profiled Hercules, a Border Collie trained to keep wildlife away from airport runways and help protect aircraft and passengers.
WCHS-TV | October 2018
Dogs Trust Campaign Concepts
Animal Welfare Marketing & Communications
Role: Campaign development, strategy, creative and copywriting
Planned Channels: Digital advertising, email marketing, Instagram
I developed three independent campaign concepts using Dogs Trust as a case study for my MBA Digital Marketing coursework. Each explores a different way to use storytelling and audience engagement to connect people with adoptable dogs and encourage support for animal welfare.
Projects include:
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Adoption Match Quiz: A digital campaign concept designed to help potential adopters discover dogs that fit their lifestyle.
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Sponsorship Email Campaign: An email marketing concept using dog-centered storytelling to encourage supporter engagement and sponsorship.
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A Day in My Paws: An Instagram storytelling campaign highlighting the personalities and everyday lives of dogs in care.
These concepts were developed independently for academic purposes and were not commissioned by or affiliated with Dogs Trust.
Beyond the Newsroom
Fred's Adoption Story
Animal Welfare & Personal Storytelling
Role: Writer, storyteller, photographer
Platform: Blog
I shared the story of adopting Fred from the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association in 2017, from the day I met him at the shelter to bringing him home. A personal look at rescue, adoption and the life-changing bond that can come from giving a dog a second chance.
