Meet Our Team

Joanna Hinds
Dog Care Provider & Classroom Assistant
Joanna is a third year Clemson student getting her masters in education. She also helps with all dogf care every summer & in our school classrooms/Compassion Education and Violence Invervention Programs when available.

Cameron Thompson
Animal Care Provider
Cameron is Cheri Thompson's son who is also a dog-whisperer. He sacrifices his weekends to help with weekend dog care duties at the Sanctuary, that is after already working a full time job offsite during the week. Cameron is a truely devoted friend, son, and worker.

Cheri Thompson
Founder. Creator & Implementer of Healing Species Curriculum & Dog Care Provider.

Stephanie (Stevie) Ott
Animal Care Provider & Classroom Assistant & Office Assistant
Stephanie Dukes is an experienced part-time Healing Species dog care provider, classroom, and office assistant; she does it all!

Camille Thackston
Lead Healing Species Classroom Instructor
Camille is a retired educator who has worked in the midlands of South Carolina as a teacher, science specialist, professional development specialist, literacy consultant and coach. Working for Healing Species as a Classroom Consultant cobines her two greatest loves-educating children and promoting the welfare of dogs in need through compassion,education, and understanding.

Donavan Hughes
Animal Care Provider
Donavan is a part-time dog care extradoniare! He loves the dogs and the dogs love him back!

Amanda Cisco Rector
Healing Species Classroom Instructor
Amanda is our lead Instructor for our Violence Prevention curriculum implemented in schools, detention centers, and group homes. For 8 years she has strived to make a difference in the lives of young people through her vocation and dedication to Healing Species. Her passion stems from her own life story of overcoming adversity, making restoration for a past history of crime and coming to terms with healing after abuse. As an advocate for at-risk youth, she thrives in building relationships with the often hard to reach and breaking down boundaries that turns teenage "apathy" into "empathy". Amanda is our very own living proof that "your past does not define you" and dreams are just goals in the making.