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Meet Our Team

Volunteer

Caelan Appell

Volunteer

Our little "can do" volunteer adds so much to our team, we just had to include her here. Not quite a teen, but a tween, you'd never know it. Fearless, strong, willing to sweat, but with an actual heart of pure gold, her absolute purity, devotion, complete love of every single dog warms the soul daily. She brings the ray of light we all need, exuberance, enthusiasm, joy, love, efficiency, & ability that any team would cherish.

Dog Care Provider & Classroom Assistant

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. 

Animal Care Provider

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.

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

Cheri Thompson

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

Dog Care Provider

Jaxon Appell

Dog Care Provider

Keeping it all in the family, teenager Jaxson was one of those rare, "born-dog-whisperers." He brings his youthful perpective, "can do" attitude & true love of his work with him. Being an outdoorsman, kick-boxer, good student, disciplined attitude, & maturity, he defies his age.

Animal Care Provider & Classroom Assistant & Office Assistant

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!

Lead Healing Species Classroom Instructor

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.

Classroom Assistant & Dog Care Provider

Cassandra Appell

Classroom Assistant & Dog Care Provider

Cassandra comes to Healing Species as a home-schooler for her 8 children! She understand captivating "your audience," the importance of education & the differing age developments of students. She is a huge animal advocate & dog wrangler extraordinaire! Fearless, strong, tireless, willing to do any job, we are thanful she is "ours!"

Animal Care Provider

Donavan Hughes

Animal Care Provider

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

Healing Species Classroom Instructor

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.

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