Alyssa, Veterinary Assistant
Joined IHA: August 2021
What really made me passionate about working with animal was my older sister. She always loved saving animals and I would watch her take care of them and I followed her example. She wanted to be a veterinarian and I wanted to work alongside her. After she passed away, I wanted to follow that path and keep helping animals.
I love working for IHA because it’s just more than helping animals, it’s also helping the community. I’ve been through two years of veterinary assisting and pet grooming course work at Kirkwood Community College and have also been grooming dogs for 13 years. I love being part of a team with big hearts that all want to make a difference. I enjoy the nurturing side of my job; being there when the animals wake up and making sure that they are comfortable and healthy. I am always striving to learn more so I can be a better team member and caretaker for the animals. I am pictured with my feline friend, Holly.
Ashley, Veterinary Assistant
Joined IHA: May 2016
I have always had a love for animals, and I got that trait from my dad. I grew up on a beef farm, where I would help him with chores over the years. It was always a family affair, and we would all help with sorting cattle or feeding all the bottle calves (which was my favorite). He is a great caretaker of the land and his cattle, but what really resonated with me was his passion for his herd. He would spend countless hours with them making sure they were healthy, and would go to great lengths for their care if needed. My dad instilled many traits in me; including his work ethic, passion, dedication, and respect for his animals. He is one of the many reasons as to why I work with animals.
Avis, Client Service
Coordinator
Joined IHA: May 2024
My first interaction with IHA was as a client. This positive experience is what led me to become a team member. I truly enjoy being part of a great organization that helps our community by offering high-quality, low-cost spay/neuter services and provides exceptional care for all furry friends. Working at IHA has been such a blessing.
Carrie, Office Assistant/IT Support
Joined IHA: October 2017
Growing up in the country I was surrounded by cattle and horses, and we had a dog and some barn cats. I always loved caring for them and learning as much as I could. I came to work at a pet store and had to answer or help assist in solving so many different situations that pet parents would find themselves in. We had two vet technicians and several associates that had been working with animals of all kinds for so long that they seemed to have an answer for everything. I loved listening to them and learning the tricks and hints they had found. I was also required to help in the grooming salon attached to the store, and it was there that I learned about calming stressed animals and being able to react without affecting the animals while keeping everyone safe. There was also units for adoptable cats. I would interact with the different volunteers from various shelters and would hear about how overrun they were and how so many still needed help.
Kathleen, Development Director
Joined IHA: September 2011
There are so many reasons why I LOVE working at IHA! Our work here is making a positive impact for animal welfare in the community and it is extremely rewarding to be able to actually have solutions to offer animals and their people. Every day I work for the thing that I am most passionate about! My days are rich and full.
Lindsay, Veterinary Assistant
Joined IHA: July 2019
Growing up, I had wild dreams of what I wanted to be when I was older. In all my dream jobs, from dolphin swimmer, zookeeper, veterinarian, to a “penguin expert,” there was one thing that remained constant: the role of animals. I knew from a young age working with animals was the ultimate goal. Working with animals in a community I love is why I’m proud to call IHA my new home.
There are so many moments in my job that inspire me. Every person who brings in an animal shares an understanding with our staff as we work to better our community and our pets’ way of life. The pets themselves always brighten my day, from their creative names to their cuddly personalities. It is with the cooperation of everyone: the client, the animal, and my amazing team members that make this such a positive atmosphere.
Lisa, Veterinary Assistant
Joined IHA: March 2025
I have loved being around animals my entire life. I was a quiet kid and always felt more comfortable with animals than people. One thing I love is raising bottle-baby kittens and have fostered many over the years for local rescues. But I know there are more animals than there are homes for them, which means animals suffer and many are euthanized. When the opportunity arose to work for an organization with a mission of ending overpopulation through spay/neuter, I wanted to be a part of it. Sharing the same mission with everyone involved with IHA is so rewarding. I love that each day we all work together to make a difference for animals and the people who care for them. Outside of work, I enjoy gardening, spending time with my loved ones, and my two dogs, three cats, and usually some foster kittens. I’m pictured with my dogs, Po and Draco.
Natalie, Veterinary Assistant
Joined IHA: June 2024
Living in Cedar Rapids, I love that I’m able to help members of the community who have no other option when it comes to veterinary access and it’s helping me gain important knowledge of the veterinary practice world. My future goal is to apply for vet school. In my spare time I compete in flyball and disc with my four dogs: Baloo, Baffle, and Suspect. I’ve previously worked at a dog daycare/boarding facility and taught agility classes.
Shelby, Veterinary Technician
Joined IHA: July 2015
While I have always had a love for animals, I also love people who love their animals. Being able to support the human-animal bond with Iowa Humane Alliance’s services and our team’s compassion and hard work is truly a privilege. I love being able to work hard within a team that makes such a big impact for animals in our community as well as the communities that we are able to reach out to.
My husband, daughter, and I are lucky enough to have a full house with our three dogs, one cat, and foster animals. My dog Gemma and I are pictured together after doing our favorite thing together- running!
Stacy, Executive Director
Joined IHA: January 2013
Stacy’s career in animal welfare has spanned over 30 years and has encompassed many aspects of animal care. She has worked at two municipal shelters and held the role of veterinarian technician, volunteer coordinator, humane investigations officer, adoption counselor, natural disaster rescuer, and cared for thousands of cats and dogs.
Stacy was working for a nonprofit organization in Upstate New York when she was asked to come work at Iowa Humane Alliance. The clinic was scheduled to open in 8 weeks and an estimated 5,000 surgeries would be performed in the first year. Stacy did a little research on high quality, high volume, low cost spay/neuter clinics and thought what a fantastic opportunity. Somewhere around 12,000 surgeries, Stacy became the Director of Clinic Operations and in 2016 took on the role of Executive Director, overseeing the awesome IHA team.
Val, Client Service Coordinator 
Joined IHA: March 2018
My passion for animals started at a very young age. I’ve always grown up around dogs and felt a strong connection to them. I knew wherever my career took me it would involve animals in some way or another. When I came across the opportunity to work for Iowa Humane Alliance, I didn’t think twice. I knew this would be an amazing opportunity. I believe so strongly in the IHA mission statement and to share a common dedication with everyone who works here is so rewarding. I love that every day is different. Our clients are amazing and to meet so many wonderful pet parents who are very appreciative of what we do is one of my favorite parts of the job. I knew a career with IHA would be a perfect fit for me. I have a background in office management and event planning along with multiple years of dog care and volunteer work with our local animal rescue organizations. I’ve worked with all types of animals and currently have 3 dogs (Dopey, London and Mabel).
