The city has been searching for someone to head up Fayetteville Animal Services since last month, when an investigation into shelter practices led to the firing or three employees. One of those employees was former Superintendent Jill Hatfield. Hatfield was let go for poor leadership and organizational skills.
Recent University of Arkansas School of Law graduate Justine Ann Middleton was chosen among 23 applicants for the job.
"I have always wanted to work with the community. I started in undergrad on the Distiguished Lectures Committee, which brings in speakers for the community and for the student members and faculty. And just doing that I got a real taste for working with people, working to do something that the community enjoys and this was just another avenue for that. Plus I have a life-long love for animals," said Middleton, who has three pets of her own.
"I have a shitzu named "Chuy". I have a border/ terrier mix that we actually got from a shelter. Her name is "Gabi" after my favorite desperate housewife and then I have a cat named Mr. Jinx."
Community Services Director Yolanda Fields thinks Middleton's experience and love for animals will go a long way.
"I think that this person is going to take the shelter to a whole new level and we're going to see so many wonderful things happening at the shelter," said Fields.
And Middleton can't wait to make that happen.
"You always try to find something that makes you happy as well as just earning a living and this really seemed like something that really appealed to me. I'm just really excited to be starting from the ground up," said Middleton.
Middleton will start work at the shelter next week.
Recent University of Arkansas School of Law graduate Justine Ann Middleton was chosen among 23 applicants for the job.
"I have always wanted to work with the community. I started in undergrad on the Distiguished Lectures Committee, which brings in speakers for the community and for the student members and faculty. And just doing that I got a real taste for working with people, working to do something that the community enjoys and this was just another avenue for that. Plus I have a life-long love for animals," said Middleton, who has three pets of her own.
"I have a shitzu named "Chuy". I have a border/ terrier mix that we actually got from a shelter. Her name is "Gabi" after my favorite desperate housewife and then I have a cat named Mr. Jinx."
Community Services Director Yolanda Fields thinks Middleton's experience and love for animals will go a long way.
"I think that this person is going to take the shelter to a whole new level and we're going to see so many wonderful things happening at the shelter," said Fields.
And Middleton can't wait to make that happen.
"You always try to find something that makes you happy as well as just earning a living and this really seemed like something that really appealed to me. I'm just really excited to be starting from the ground up," said Middleton.
Middleton will start work at the shelter next week.
