Meet Maddie Lockett - Lawrence Humane's Social Worker!
Maddie lives in Lawrence with her wonderful partner of eight years, and they have one fur baby named Kelly. Outside of work, Maddie enjoys bullet journaling, crocheting, reading, and watching movies/TV shows. She’s currently making her way down nostalgia lane by watching all the Harry Potter movies! Maddie’s position as social worker is a critical new role at the shelter where we are challenging commonly held views on the role of shelters and proposing new approaches to solving pet problems in the community.
What does “success” look like when animal shelters work to support the pet owner? How can we ensure the needs of our community are met through lifesaving programs like our Crisis Pet Retention Fund? How do we continue to build a culture committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the shelter? With Maddie on our team, we look forward to the future of animal sheltering!
Let’s get to know Maddie a bit better with a little Q+A!
1. First things first, tell us about your pets!
We have a 9-year old pirate kitty named Kelly! My partner and I actually got her while on a spontaneous date to the Lawrence Humane Society. We saw her with her little eye patch on (she was still recovering from having her left eye removed) and immediately fell in love! We came the next day to take her home after getting our roommates’ blessings. She is the most sassy, yet laid-back kitty ever.
2. Why did you become involved with Lawrence Humane and what has your involvement looked like over time?
Well, it all started when I adopted my Kelly from Lawrence Humane in 2016! Since then, I had collaborated with Elina (our Director of Development!) to help a couple of my clients care for their pets while I was working at the Willow Domestic Violence Center. While working with her, I was able to see how the Crisis Pet Retention was able to help community members in need, and I was impressed to see an animal shelter go so above and beyond for our community. As I became ready to start a new chapter in my career, I was excited to see that Lawrence Humane was hiring for a Social Worker! Since then, it has truly been a treat serving the pets and pet owners of our community alongside the dedicated, passionate team here at Lawrence Humane!
3. What excites you about the Lawrence Humane Society? What areas of improvement would you like to see during your time as social worker?
4. What books are you reading right now? Podcasts? TV shows?
I read a lot of graphic novels. I lean toward horror/suspense/mystery, but will read anything. Right now, I’m reading Maus, which tells the story of a cartoonist interviewing his father who was a Holocaust survivor–an extremely interesting read so far.
For TV shows, my interests are pretty scattered–I’m currently watching an anime called Full Metal Alchemist, and a reality show called Love is Blind (it’s terrible, I know! Guilty pleasure!).
5. If you could be an expert in anything, what would it be?
6. What would your perfect meal be?
7. Favorite place to travel?
