Lehman receives animal welfare credential
Katelyn Lehman, director of the Wayne County Dog Shelter and dog warden for Wayne County, poses with her Certified Animal Welfare Administrator diploma. Lehman recently passed a certification exam to earn the designation.
Katelyn Lehman, director of the Wayne County Dog Shelter and dog warden for Wayne County, recently earned the Certified Animal Welfare Administrator certification through The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement. She is one of only several hundred individuals in the country to hold this designation.
The CAWA program is designed for top-level executives and managers working in nonprofit and municipal animal welfare agencies. In addition to meeting eligibility requirements for leadership and management in the animal welfare field, Lehman passed an exam to earn the designation.
“I am both excited about my certification and honored to be part of an elite group of animal welfare professionals,” Lehman said. “This career is never easy, but I appreciate each experience and welcome the continued growth in myself as a leader and our organization. We strive to provide excellent quality of life for the dogs in our care and deliver valuable resources to the community.”
The CAWA exam covers best practices in animal welfare with questions reviewing leadership, human resources, finance, fundraising, marketing, administration and animal care. Obtaining the CAWA status validates Lehman’s work in the animal welfare field. It illustrates her competency to contribute to broader animal welfare conversations within Wayne County and the country.
Jim Tedford, Association for Animal Welfare Advancement CEO, said, “Certified Animal Welfare Administrators have demonstrated that they hold specialized qualifications and a commitment to high standards and ethical practices in our industry. We respect their dedication to their professional development and their pursuit of leadership excellence.”
Lehman, an Orrville native, began her animal welfare career in 2007. She quickly advanced through the field, serving in Wayne and Holmes counties. Lehman was named the Wayne County Dog Shelter director when it opened in 2015. In 2019 the role of county dog warden was added to her responsibilities. Lehman also serves on the board of directors for the Ohio Animal Welfare Federation and is the liaison for the Promoting Animal Welfare for the Wayne County Dog Shelter. She has a passion for helping people and animals and a drive to make an impact in the community.
The Wayne County Dog Shelter is located at 5694 Burbank Road in Wooster. Since its inception the shelter has taken in nearly 4,500 dogs. Most dogs are considered strays, running loose or being abandoned by their owners.
If considering adopting a dog, now is the time. Many shelters across the country including the Wayne County Dog Shelter are full. Photos and information about the available dogs are on the shelter website at www.waynedogshelter.org and www.facebook.com/waynedogshelter.
Dan Starcher is a public communications specialist for the Wayne County government.