Meet the Team

We're excited to introduce you to the incredible individuals who make everything we do possible. Each member of our team brings unique skills, passion, and experience to the table, and now you get the chance to learn a little more about the people behind the work. Keep reading to meet the team and explore their bios!

Lana Newberry joined Fort Worth Animal Care & Control as Volunteer Coordinator in February 2024, bringing with her a lifelong love for animals and a deep commitment to community engagement. Before stepping into this role, she volunteered with both FWACC and The Love Pit, where her dedication to rescue and advocacy began to grow.

Lana earned her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry in 1997 and spent over 24 years in private practice. Her background in patient care, education, and communication now informs her work building a strong, compassionate volunteer community.

Lana’s passion for rescue work began in 2011 when she adopted her first rescue, Petunia Lu, a deaf pit bull mix, from the SPCA of Dallas. It was through Petunia that she discovered the transformative power of structure and training—not just for the dog, but for the human, too. Soon after, she adopted Violet, then “foster failed” with Hazel, Buxley, and Champy, while also welcoming numerous foster dogs into her home.

Today, Lana is the proud dog mom to three senior pit bull-type rescues and has loved and cared for five of her own since 2011—including two, Buxley and Champy, who had been residents of FWACC Silcox. Her deep love began with Brandy, a golden retriever who was her loyal companion for 13 years and although Brandy herself wasn’t a rescue, her best friends (Bud, a pitbull and Lulu, a cattle dog) were. Because of Brandy, the fulfilling companionship she gave Lana, and her incredibly good nature- she remains the heart of her rescue story. Lana is dedicated to fostering a compassionate and collaborative environment where both animals and people feel seen, respected, and valued. She is passionate about elevating the volunteer experience and believes that recognizing each dog as an individual is essential to their success. Lana champions thoughtful, effective training that emphasizes safe, humane handling and prioritizes both volunteer and animal well-being. She emphasizes how essential it is for volunteers to understand dog body language & communication, and proper handling. She actively promotes the importance of enrichment and is committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of Fort Worth’s most vulnerable shelter pets.

Fun Fact: At age 16 she had an extremely up-close and personal encounter with a bear in the mountains outside of Sante Fe, New Mexico!

Pet's Names: Violet- 13, Hazel- 11, and Champy- 13 ½ , (angel) Buxley, & (angel) Petunia Lu (angel) Brandy

Coffee/Tea Order: Coffee: Vanilla Latte (hot or iced, depending on the season). Tea: Chai Tea Latte (hot or iced)

Superpower of Choice: Empathetic Communication with pets and people

Garret Palmer brings a unique blend of professional experience, passion for service, and a deep love for animals to his role as Volunteer Coordinator. Before joining the Fort Worth Animal Care & Control team officially in January 2024, Garret was already a familiar face, actively volunteering and fostering more than 100 animals since 2022.

Garret’s career began in the world of design, earning an associate's degree in Computer Aided Drafting & Design Technology before spending a decade in product design and another ten years in sales. But it was his time spent volunteering at FWACC that ignited a new purpose. Helping animals find second chances, and helping people find joy in that journey, was the meaningful work he had been looking for.

In his current role, Garret focuses on building and supporting a strong, compassionate volunteer team that plays a critical part in every animal’s path toward a better life. He’s driven by the belief that everyone has something valuable to contribute, and that a well-supported volunteer program can change the game for both shelter pets and the people who care for them.

Garret shares his home with five dogs: four German Shepherds Kona, Bourbon, Tanto, and Luciana, and one tiny but mighty Pomeranian, Vito.

Favorite Quote: “Attitude is free.”
Fun Fact: Garret is an avid collector of autographed movie posters.
Coffee Order: High Octane (black).
What Garret Loves Most About His Job: "The fact that there is meaning and purpose behind what we do."

Jasmin has been immersed in the world of animal care since her teenage years, gaining experience through both volunteer work and professional roles. From the beginning, her motivation has remained the same: to be a voice for animals in need and to ensure they receive the care, compassion, and protection they deserve.

Throughout her career, Jasmin has worn many hats across the animal welfare field, and her passion has only deepened with time. Today, she finds particular fulfillment in helping shelter animals find safe outcomes, whether through adoption, rescue, or foster placement. Each life saved reinforces her commitment to this work, and she approaches every day with a sense of purpose and empathy.

In addition to her role in sheltering, Jasmin also volunteers at the Nature Center & Refuge, where she cares for a variety of animal ambassadors who now call the refuge home. These animals, many of whom cannot be released back into the wild, have found peace and purpose and Jasmin plays a key role in ensuring their continued well-being.

Her dedication to animals is matched by her connection to one foster cat in particular: Daemon. True to his name, Daemon has become her guardian and good luck charm, a constant reminder of why she does the work she does.

Whether she's advocating for shelter pets, caring for animal ambassadors, or just spending quiet moments with Daemon, Jasmin brings heart, humor, and fierce dedication to everything she does.

Favorite Quote: “King of the castle. I have a chair.” – Borat

Pet's Name: Daemon, her foster cat and protector

Go-To Drink: Iced matcha tea latte with strawberry cold foam from Starbucks

Superpower of Choice: The ability to read minds, especially to better understand what animals are feeling and what they truly need

Chelsea Butler has been working in animal welfare and veterinary medicine for over six years and has spent the past two years as a vital part of the City’s Outbound team at Fort Worth Animal Care & Control. While she didn’t always have a clear idea of what career she would pursue, one thing was certain from the beginning, she would work with animals. That instinct proved right, and she now thrives in a role that allows her to make a meaningful impact every single day.

Chelsea’s passion shines brightest when she’s working with the shelter’s most vulnerable residents, the medical cases, seniors, and dogs with behavioral challenges. She has a special place in her heart for those who are often overlooked. “The more ‘broken,’ the better,” she says. Watching these underdogs transform, heal, and step into the second chance they deserve is the most rewarding part of her work. And if there’s one breed that will always grab her attention, it’s the gentle giants, Great Danes.

Outside of work, Chelsea is a proud dog mom to four lovable “knuckleheads”: Birdie, Benny, Mabel, and Moogaloo. All are rescues, and three are proud “foster fails”... a testament to her soft spot for giving animals a forever home. She’s also a devoted mom to her adorable human sidekick, Cooper, who shares his life with a whole pack of four-legged siblings.

Whether it’s helping a senior dog find comfort, connecting with a misunderstood behavior pup, or giving a shelter pet a ride to freedom, Chelsea brings heart, grit, and a love for the underdog to everything she does.

Chelsea wouldn’t change a thing about the winding path that brought her to FWACC. It led her exactly where she was meant to be, fighting for the underdogs and loving every moment of it.

Favorite Shelter Dogs: Seniors, medical cases, behavioral pups.. and of course, Great Danes!

Pet Names: Birdie, Benny, Mabel, and Moogaloo

What Chelsea Loves Most About Her Job: Watching the transformation of the most vulnerable animals and helping them start a new chapter

Karissa is an animal advocate, scrapbook enthusiast, and self-proclaimed bookworm who brings heart, humor, and a chai latte to everything she does. As the Transport Coordinator for Fort Worth Animal Care & Control’s Chuck Silcox Animal Shelter, she plays a vital role in helping animals make their journey out of the shelter and into new beginnings... whether it’s a foster home, rescue placement, or cross-country transport to safety.

With a deep belief in second chances, Karissa is passionate about helping animals heal, thrive, and find families who will love them forever. Her days are filled with coordination, collaboration, and the occasional happy tear when a long-stay pet finally gets their moment.

At home, Karissa is ruled by three ridiculously cute and mildly chaotic pets: Raven (the queen), Stan (the lovable goof), and Pepper (full-time drama llama). They keep life interesting and inspire her to keep pushing for better outcomes for animals in need.

Favorite Quote: “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” – Will Rogers

Fun Fact: When she’s not coordinating transports or elbow-deep in scrapbook paper, Karissa dreams of having the superpower to absorb every book she touches. Instant knowledge? Yes, please.

Go-To Fuel: Chai latte—iced, warm, or extra fancy.

Personal Motto: “Glitter is a lifestyle and that chai lattes should be considered a food group.”

Ginger found her true calling 23 years ago when she unexpectedly stepped into the world of Animal Control, and she's never looked back! What began as a chance encounter quickly transformed into a lifelong passion for animal welfare.

While the work hasn’t always been easy, filled with many challenges, tough calls, and heartbreak... Ginger continues to show up each day driven by the hope she brings to every animal that enters the shelter. Her greatest joy comes from seeing an animal in need walk out of the shelter toward a better life. For Ginger, those moments aren’t just rewarding; they are sacred.

She believes deeply that the love she has for animals is one of life’s greatest blessings. It’s what gives her strength, purpose, and joy, even on the hardest days. After more than two decades, her passion has not wavered. If anything, it has grown stronger.

Whether comforting a frightened stray, advocating for the overlooked, or celebrating a last-minute rescue, Ginger brings wisdom, experience, and an immeasurable amount of heart to everything she does.

Favorite Quote: "Among the things in my life I thank God for most, is the love He gave me for animals. My heart would be emptier, and my life would be less without them."

What Ginger Loves Most About Her Job: Witnessing an animal, especially one she’s bonded with or who is in medical need, leave the shelter and step into a hopeful new chapter. In her words, “It’s absolutely the best feeling in the world.”

Isaac joined the outbound team August of 2025 all the way from California. His passion lies in working with both animals and people. He finds fulfillment in training animals to achieve their full potential while also educating owners on the importance of proper training and the benefits of effective tools. His approach focuses on building stronger bonds between people and their pets, creating healthier, more balanced lifestyles for both.

Motivated daily by his dog and a strong sense of self-improvement, Isaac strives to become a better person and trainer every day.

Favorite Quote: "Iron Sharpens Iron" - Proverbs 27:17

Pet Name(s): Isaac has two pets. Yori, a 2 year old female German Shepherd who knows basic and more advanced commands! Then there is his Banana Ball Python named Scotty who is 5 years old!

What Isaac Loves Most About His Job: I love to work with animals and people. As for animals I love to work with them and attempt to train them and create a better lifestyle for them. As for people, I like to educate them on the importance of training their dogs as well as training tools and explaining the benefits of training tools :)

Favorite Snack: His favorite snacks are Takis and Watermelon sour patch

Superpower of Choice: Superpowers like the Flash (Speed) or the Arrow (Accuracy in Bow n Arrows)

Sydney Latson was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and has been passionate about animal care since 2019. Her journey into the field began as a Pet Resort Attendant, where she cared for dogs in a boarding environment while working toward her Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) certification. Her compassion, curiosity, and commitment to learning quickly propelled her forward.

In 2021, she became a Veterinary Technician and spent the next three years in private practice, where she gained hands-on experience in clinical care. During that time, she also worked as a dog trainer and took multiple courses focused on animal behavior, an area she continues to study and deeply enjoys.

In 2024, Sydney joined the City of Fort Worth’s Outbound Programs team to expand her impact beyond the clinic and into the community. In her current role, she focuses on transport coordination, helping at-risk pets find placement with partners across the country. She also plays an active role in community outreach and fostering, using her clinical and behavior background to support animals throughout their transition from shelter to home.

What Sydney Loves Most About Her Job: “I love meeting so many incredible dogs and getting to know their unique personalities. Fostering through the City has been such a rewarding experience. it’s fun to welcome new dogs into my home and help prepare them for their next chapter. Being part of the Transport team is especially meaningful because we get to see the full circle of the work we do. Plus, I get to meet a lot of chihuahuas, which is always a bonus!”

Fun Fact: Outside of work, Sydney enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons.

Angel began his working life in the restaurant industry, with roles at places like Mexican Inn and Jimmy John’s. While he didn’t enjoy working with food, he quickly discovered that he loved talking with customers and building connections with the people he met.

His next job took him to Senior Living Facilities, where he delivered oxygen and had the opportunity to engage with even more people. The role heavily relied on customer service, and Angel thrived in that environment. It became clear that not only did he enjoy helping people, he was genuinely good at it.

From there, he transitioned into debt collection. Though the job came with its challenges, especially dealing with frustrated callers, Angel found a deep sense of purpose in helping people find realistic solutions. He took pride in calming someone down, working out a manageable payment plan, and knowing he was helping them resolve their debt without sacrificing their financial stability.

Angel’s journey into animal welfare began by chance. When Animal Control was called to his mother’s home due to a misunderstanding involving a neighbor with mental health struggles, the officer who responded left a lasting impression. The ACO was kind and understanding, and when Angel’s mother mentioned he was looking for a job, the officer took the time to walk him through how to apply for a position.

Since stepping into that role, Angel has continued to grow, first as a foster coordinator and then as a rescue coordinator. Each step has confirmed that he’s exactly where he’s meant to be. He may not have sought out this career path, but in many ways, it found him and he welcomes every challenge and reward it brings.

Favorite Animal: His cat Joey. (Like Joey from Friends). 

What Angel Loves Most About His Job: His favorite part about his job is doing events! He love meeting new people and getting these dogs adopted!

Superpower of Choice: Telekinesis. "Telekinesis is so cool, you can fly, control the weather, create things and so much more! If you can move stuff with your mind, you can do so much if you're creative! Or I'd want to teleport like Hayden Christensen from Jumper."  

From a young age, Brittany knew animals would always be at the center of her life. Growing up, she was constantly surrounded by pets-dogs, cats, hamsters, and horses-and even spent her early years riding, pet sitting for families, and working at a boarding facility cleaning kennels. After high school, she moved to New York City with her beloved dog Zackary to attend college for a year, before returning to Connecticut for a short time. At 21, Brittany made a life-changing move to Texas, where she discovered her true calling in animal welfare.

Her career began at the Humane Society of North Texas where she served in many roles. She went on to work at Dallas Animal Services, later joined Fort Worth Animal Care & Control and quickly grew into over a decade of service in the animal shelter world. Today, Brittany works in the Outbound Department, a role she considers the most rewarding of her career.

The move from Connecticut to Texas opened her eyes to the overwhelming number of stray and homeless animals, and it became her mission to help combat the overpopulation crisis. Over the years, she has adopted several rescue dogs who have brought joy and purpose to her life, and she currently shares her home with three beloved rescue dogs. In the shelter, she feels especially drawn to helping the scared dogs, along with senior dogs and cats, giving them the patience and compassion they need to shine. And while she adores all animals, Brittany has a special fondness for white “foo foo” dogs, as well as the Corgis and Akitas.

Her favorite part of the work is transporting animals out of Texas to find second chances-especially when sending them to her home region of New England. Looking ahead, Brittany dreams of opening a rescue sanctuary in Connecticut, where she hopes to continue saving lives by bringing dogs from Texas to safety.

Favorite Quote: “I really don’t think I could consent to go to Heaven if I thought there were no animals there.” — George Bernard Shaw

Fun Fact: Her two favorite places to visit are Newport, Rhode Island and Salem, Massachusetts. 

Pet Name(s): Cornelius, Zelda and Vera 

What Brittany Loves Most About Her Job: The opportunity to change lives in the world of animal welfare while being surrounded by a phenomenal village of like-minded people who inspire and support one another every day.

Coffee Order: A medium iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts (even during the winter) with liquid sugar and coffee milk. 

From a very young age, it was clear to Melanie’s parents that her love for animals extended far beyond just dogs and cats, she had a deep compassion for all creatures. Her lifelong commitment to animal welfare led her to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle early on, eventually transitioning to veganism, something she proudly considers one of the best decisions of her life.

Melanie’s passion for animals is matched by a dream she holds close: to one day own a large piece of land where she can establish a sanctuary for farmed animals. She envisions a space where volunteers can come together to witness firsthand the kindness, resilience, and intelligence of animals, believing wholeheartedly that animals are not here for us, but with us.

She earned her degree in Business Management from Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City, NJ, graduating in 2011. Even from a young age, Melanie knew she wanted to work with animals in a way that would truly make an impact. Throughout her life, she’s volunteered at animal shelters and farm sanctuaries, always finding ways to contribute to animal welfare. Shortly after college, she began working at the shelter where she had previously volunteered, starting as a Volunteer Coordinator and quickly earning a promotion. With each new role, her dedication to helping animals only grew stronger.

In 2012, Melanie adopted her beloved dog Shadow, who was rescued from Kentucky and transported to New Jersey. Shadow, also affectionately known as Winky Belly, Stinky, and Sits (for reasons even she can't explain), has been by her side ever since. He became the inspiration behind one of the most meaningful aspects of her current work.

In 2021, Melanie made a bold move from New Jersey to Texas in search of a more affordable lifestyle. One of the first things she noticed after arriving was the overwhelming number of stray dogs. That eye-opening experience deepened her resolve. Since joining Fort Worth Animal Care & Control, she has remained dedicated to improving the lives of the animals in their care, particularly through the Transport Program, which works to find placement for cats and dogs outside of Texas. For Melanie, it’s more than logistics, it’s a mission that started with Shadow and continues for countless other animals in need.

Favorite Quote: "This can't be it for me"

Fun Fact: She loves the mountains, the beach, and caring for her growing collection of plants.

Pet Name(s): Shadow, aka Winky Belly, Stinky, and Sits

What Melanie Loves Most About Her Job: Making a real difference for the animals and building strong relationships with fosters, volunteers, and partners.

Coffee Order: Iced coffee (yes, even in winter) with a splash of coconut milk and a touch of sweetness.

For nearly a decade, Meghan Bittel has worked in Animal Welfare with a focus on creating positive outcomes for both animals and the community. Growing up in a home that fostered animals, compassion and care for the most vulnerable were values instilled early and have remained central throughout her career.

Since joining Fort Worth Animal Care & Control, Meghan has held a variety of key roles, including Adoption Specialist, Special Operations Field Team member, Foster Coordinator, and Senior Animal Control Officer. Now serving as Outbound Supervisor at our North Animal Campus, she oversees a wide range of programs including Foster, Volunteer, Rescue, Transport, Events, and P.A.W.S. for Patriots in partnership with the Outbound Supervisor at our other Silcox Animal Shelter.

A firm believer in the power of community, Meghan is passionate about creating programs that connect people and animals in meaningful ways. She’s dedicated to building strong partnerships, expanding foster and volunteer opportunities, and supporting her team through mentorship and shared learning. Her goal is to make every program not just lifesaving but accessible, sustainable, and rooted in compassion.

When she’s not at the shelter, Meghan is a proud mother of four human children and 5 furry ones, an avid reader who averages 50 books a year, and someone who finds inspiration in nature and freedom.

Favorite Quote: “I wish I were a girl again, half-savage and hardy, and free.” – Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights

Favorite Animal: The Bald Eagle — a symbol of independence and freedom, two values that resonate deeply with Meghan’s personal and professional mission.

What She Loves Most About Her Job: “Knowing that the work we do truly matters. Every program, every partnership, every animal placed, it all contributes to something bigger. There’s purpose behind every decision, and I love being part of a team that’s working toward real, lasting change for animals and the people in our community.”

Nia began her animal welfare journey with Fort Worth Animal Care & Control in 2012 as an Animal Shelter Technician at the Hulen PetSmart. It was there in that community focused environment that that she discovered her passion for connecting with the community, educating the public, and helping families find their perfect pet match. Her natural ability to engage with the public and advocate for animals quickly set the tone for a career rooted in compassion, service, and leadership.

Driven to expand her impact, Nia transitioned into the field as an Animal Control Officer, where she balanced enforcement with empathy, educating pet owners, enforcing local ordinances, and serving as a voice for the animals who needed it most. Over the years, her roles evolved as she gained invaluable experience in shelter operations, medical care, rescue coordination, and community outreach.

With years of hands-on experience in shelter, field and medical operations, Nia now serves as the Superintendent over our Outbound Programs. In this role, she leads lifesaving programs including PetSmart Adoptions, Foster, Rescue, Volunteer, Transport, Events, and P.A.W.S. for Patriots. She is passionate about building sustainable systems and collaborative partnerships that open new pathways to placement for vulnerable pets.

Outside of work, Nia is a proud mother of three teenage boys and a dedicated caretaker to a lively menagerie that includes three dogs, two cats, two pigs, nine goats, two donkeys, a coop full of chickens and the FWACC occasional foster pet.

Whether she’s in the shelter, or wrangling goats, Nia leads with heart and a determination to make a difference... one animal, one family, and one connection at a time.

Favorite Quote: “I hope you live a life you are proud of. If you find that you are not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.” – attributed to F. Scott Fitzgerald

Fun Fact: Nia’s dream is to one day open a livestock rescue and sanctuary, blending her love of animals and her belief in second chances.

Superpower of Choice: Powernaps that actually work - A 5 minute nap equals 8 hours of sleep!