FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lee Chambers, Media Relations & Development Specialist (413) 781-4000 x 122

DAKIN HUMANE SOCIETY RECOGNIZES 13 LONG-TIME EMPLOYEES 

Springfield, MA (1/23/25) – Dakin Humane Society recently honored several current employees who had reached work anniversaries ranging from 10 to 20 years at a team ceremony held at the Springfield nonprofit.  The 13 employees were given gift bags that contained, among other items, a personalized zip-up hoodie with the Dakin logo as well as their first names followed by the title “Dakin Legend.”

“We’re so grateful to have so many long-term team members at Dakin,” said Kayla Begnoche, human resources manager. "Shelter work takes more than skill; it takes heart.  Every day, our team brings compassion and dedication, whether they’re working directly with pets and their people, keeping vital programs and services running, handling essential administrative tasks behind the scenes, or collaborating with partner organizations. They have an unwavering dedication to this work, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have staff who bring their whole hearts to it every single day.”

More than 20% of Dakin’s staff have worked for the nonprofit organization for at least 10 years, while 44% were hired five or more years ago.  According to Dakin’s Executive Director Meg Talbert, “We are delighted to recognize this incredible group of long-term employees in a special way and look forward to making it an annual tradition to celebrate our newest Dakin Legends. Dakin is a special place and each and every one of our team members, new to the field or legends, give of themselves daily to advance our mission and uphold our core values: integrity, compassion, and innovation.”

Those team members honored recently are:

20 Years:

Alanna Regan – Adoption Center Manager 

15 Years:

Betsy Bernard – Animal Resource Counselor

Eliza Fischer – Animal Resource Counselor

Dr. Sherri Therrien – Spay & Neuter Veterinarian

13 Years:

Rachel Murphy – Animal Caregiver  

 12 Years:

Brenda Forsell – Spay & Neuter Clinic Administrator

11 Years:

Abigayle Bogdan – Veterinary Technician

Meghan Delaney – Veterinary Technician 

Mary Jane McGuire – Veterinary Services Manager 

Megan Tolpa – Foster Coordinator

10 Years:

Lee Chambers – Media Relations & Development Specialist 

Debbie Massarelli – Finance Coordinator

Kayla Thibodeau – Veterinary Technician 

Dakin Humane Society, located in Springfield, MA, is a 501 (c) (3) organization that delivers effective, innovative services that improve the lives of animals in need and the people who care about them. In a typical year, the organization shelters, treats and fosters more than 20,000 animals and has performed over 131,000 spay/neuter surgeries since 2009, making it one of New England’s largest spay/neuter providers. Dakin’s Pet Health Center, a non-emergency veterinary resource for pet dogs and cats, has seen more than 14,000 clients since it opened in 2022.  Dakin is a local non-profit organization that relies solely on contributions from individuals and businesses that care about animals to bring its services to the community. For more information, visit www.dakinhumane.org.