About Us
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Panhandle Humane Society is to provide a nurturing and fear-free environment for the community and its pets in our care by utilizing the Five Freedoms model.
The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst by easy access to fresh, clean water and a diet to maintain health and vigor.
- Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment, including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
- Freedom from pain, injury, or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
- Freedom to express normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities, and the company of the animal's own kind.
- Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
The Five Freedoms were developed in a response to a 1965 UK Government report on livestock husbandry and were formalized in a 1979 press statement by the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council. The Five Freedoms have been adopted by professional groups including veterinarians and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Shelter Staff
Alysah Wiekhorst - Animal Associate
Alysah Wiekhorst
Animal Associate
Alysah joined the PHS team in February 2020.
Amy Bartholomew - Executive Director
Amy Bartholomew
Executive Director
My name is Amy and PHS is a great place to work! I am a Coast Guard retiree and have been at PHS since August 2016. Though we are always striving to improve our services, I'm very happy with where the shelter is and the culture of caring we have developed for our staff.
Catie Baird - Animal Associate
Catie Baird
Animal Associate
Catie joined the PHS team in January 2022.
Gina Garza - Animal Associate
Gina Garza
Animal Associate
Gina joined the PHS team in June 2021.
Madi Hohnstein - Animal Associate
Madi Hohnstein
Animal Associate
Madi joined the PHS team in February 2022.
Maycee Marcoe - Animal Associate
Maycee Marcoe
Animal Associate
Maycee joined the PHS team in June 2021.
Stephanie Hatfield - Animal Associate
Stephanie Hatfield
Animal Associate
Stephanie joined the PHS team in August 2021.
Tawny Taylor - Animal Associate
Tawny Taylor
Animal Associate
Tawny joined the PHS team in June 2022.
Aurora Smith - Animal Associate
Aurora Smith
Animal Associate
Aurora joined the PHS team in October 2019.
Lauren Brock - Shelter Manager
Lauren Brock
Shelter Manager
My name is Lauren and I love working at PHS! The shelter has reached so many amazing goals in such a short period of time and I feel so grateful to have been here to see it.
Stop by PHS if you are looking for a furrever friend!
Lauren joined the PHS team in September 2016.
Board of Directors
Cathleen Hefti - Board Member
Cathleen Hefti
Board Member
Cathi joined the Board of Directors in September 2021.
Lisa Couse - Board Member
Lisa Couse
Board Member
Lisa joined the Board of Directors in March 2022.
Stephanie Lewis - Secretary
Stephanie Lewis
Secretary
Stephanie joined the Board of Directors in September 2021.
Vickie Jones - President
Vickie Jones
President
Vickie joined the Board of Directors in 2017 and was voted in as President in March 2021.
Tracy Tuggle - Vice President
Tracy Tuggle
Vice President
Tracy joined the Board of Directors in 2020.
Chuck Swank - Treasurer
Chuck Swank
Treasurer
Chuck joined our Board of Directors in 2018.
Chelsea Brening - Board Member
Chelsea Brening
Board Member
Chelsea joined our Board of Directors in 2019.
Megan Dockery - Board Member
Megan Dockery
Board Member
Megan joined the Board of Directors in 2019.
Fear Free Shelter
The staff at Panhandle Humane Society are certified in the Fear Free Shelter program. This training helps us recognize the signs of FAS (Fear, Anxiety, and Stress) and Frustration in the animals. As a result, we can provide ways to minimize and possibly eliminate those emotions. Learn more at fearfreeshelters.com
PHS is inspected by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at least once every year, sometimes more often. Inspections are not announced ahead of time. The inspector checks for cleanliness, food and bedding storage, and vaccination records. They also check to make sure all animals in the building have a kennel card that provides information on each animal. To date, PHS has passed our inspections. Dept of AG Commercial Dog and Cat Inspection Program