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As Maddie Lockett sees it, the core of social work is helping, empowering, and connecting people to community resources. Lockett found the job at the Lawrence Humane Society, but it also came with the added bonus of helping animals.
A self-described extrovert destined for a “career of helping others,” Lockett finds happiness and energy as one of three social workers at an animal shelter.
“First of all, we feel that by working with both humans and animals, we get the best of both worlds,” Lockett says.
Next is versatility. Lockett said social work encompasses so many different areas and methods of support. Before joining the Humane Society in early 2022, Lockett interned while earning a degree in social work at the University of Kansas and then worked at the Willow Domestic Violence Center for two years.
“And I absolutely loved my time at Willow,” Lockett, 26, says. “I learned so much and grew so much as a person and a social worker.”
When Lockett joined the humane organization, the Crisis Pet Rescue Program was already up and running. The program began in October 2020 and represents a significant and real change in the program’s approach to animal rescue in Douglas County, said Elina Alterman, the shelter’s development director. Alterman is also a social worker and helped launch the program in her previous job.
Crisis Pet Retention (CPR) provides resources to pet owners facing crises related to poverty, homelessness, unemployment, health issues, and more. Alterman said many people seeking assistance are employed or living on fixed incomes.
“So that could include experiences of homelessness, of course, but it could also include economic crises, medical crises, fleeing domestic violence or other dangerous situations,” Lockett said.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times October 22, 2024 Maddie Lockett, right, shields her eyes from the sun as another pallet of pet food is unloaded from a delivery truck at the Lawrence Humane Society.
The CPR Fund is supported by grants and individual donations. Support comes in a variety of ways, including providing pet food, pet supplies, vaccinations, medical care, pet rentals, pet boarding, temporary lodging, and other emergency needs.
“Depending on the situation, we also provide behavioral consulting,” Lockett says.
Additionally, there is work Lockett and his colleagues do in the community to prevent crises that could threaten the separation of pet owners and pets. That assistance comes in the form of low-cost vaccination clinics and other preventive veterinary care, pet food distribution, and assistance to owners of unhoused pets. According to data provided by Alterman, more than 51 tons of pet food were distributed in 2023.
Lockett says the day-to-day crisis response work is difficult and “quite taxing,” but it’s her passion. She feels inspired by her colleagues at the shelter, especially her clients, who she says are very supportive.
“It’s a real source of inspiration,” Lockett says. “Once again, I have witnessed the strength and resilience of the people I work with, even as they face incredibly difficult challenges.”
CPR has expanded and continues to grow during Lockett’s tenure. Last year, 808 animals from 546 families received preventive veterinary care totaling $81,845 from the Lawrence Humane Society. This represents a 65% increase in community animals treated in 2022, according to the shelter’s 2023 Impact Report. And so far in August of this year, Alterman said, the shelter has rescued 1,138 animals from 752 families, already exceeding last year’s data.
Contributor Maddie Lockett checks in with people and their pets at Just Food’s pet vaccination and microchip clinic.
As the field of intersection of human and animal welfare emerges and grows, Alterman said Lockett is not only a service-minded person, but also a person who believes in the important role that animals play in society. “I thought she would be an excellent shelter social worker because she really understood the role.” How it affects a person’s overall health, their mental health, their physical health, and how that relates to housing and food security. ”
Alterman says much of Lockett’s success is due to his lack of cynicism, judgment and complacency.
“She truly believes in helping people and is patient and supportive without question, which is hard to find,” Alterman says.
Last week, Lockett was celebrated with a funding opportunity to help expand support programs at the shelter. Donors from the Northeast Kansas Animal Welfare Foundation and the Lawrence Humane Society awarded Lockett a professional development scholarship to pursue a graduate certificate in social aspects of human-animal interaction at Colorado State University .
“We are very excited to learn more about this certificate,” Lockett said. “I am very grateful for this opportunity.”
Ultimately, Lockett hopes to use her expanded knowledge to launch a pet loss grief counseling program through the Lawrence Humane Society.
“So it’s really like a bigger future goal,” Lockett says. “We want to dig deeper into this issue and provide even more support to people experiencing pet loss.”
After work, Rocket enjoys playing tabletop games and hobbies that lean toward the crafty side, such as crocheting, bullet journaling, and painting. She says she is grateful for the very supportive home environment she shares with her partner Emmanuel, dog Mabel, and foster kitten.
Contributor Maddie Lockett comforts a dog while being cared for by Dr. Jennifer Schneider-Frederick at the Lawrence Humane Society clinic. Contributors Justin Broker (left) and Mallory Woods (center) present a scholarship check to Maddie Lockett on behalf of the Northeast Kansas Animal Welfare Foundation. If our local journalism is important to you, please help us keep going. Don’t miss out…Click here to sign up for our email newsletter
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Equity reporter Tricia Masenthin (she/her) can be reached at tmasenthin (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more about her work at the Times here. Check out her staff profile here.
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