Meet our staff!
We believe our staff is the most compassionate, hardest working group of people there is.
They go above and beyond for our animals and we are grateful for them!
Shawn Bliton
Executive Director
"I am a proud U.S. Army Veteran. I served in the Army for nine years. I am a happily married father of four. I became the director of the humane society because I have a deep passion for serving both animals and people. As a veteran and a father, I understand the importance of compassion, responsibility, and leadership.
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"This role allows me to make a positive impact in the community by advocating for animal welfare, supporting families in finding their perfect companions, and fostering a culture of kindness and care.
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"A fun fact about myself is that I know quite a bit of useless facts about many different things. Also, I am a big fan of dad jokes!"
Danielle Tedder
Medical Director/Assistant Shelter Director
"I graduated from Vet Tech Institute in 2014 and began my career with Hope Veterinary Clinic where I worked for 11 years as a lead surgical technician. During my career I found a special love for small animal surgery and community education. To further my understanding of the minds of felines and canines, I became Fear Free and Human-Animal Bond certified, both of which have improved my relationships with all of my patients.
I have been happily married to my husband, Anthony, for 8 years and have a wonderful teenage daughter, Aubree. Of course, my life would not be complete without the plethora of fur kids we have had throughout the years. I came to Bartholomew County Humane Society to lend a helping hand during a staff shortage and fell in love with the culture, community, and healing souls of each animal that has passed through our doors. I plan to continue to grow and learn in this role while supporting, caring, and educating our community towards improved animal welfare.
Sarah Ruf
Resource Development Manager
"Growing up, I always loved animals (I mean really loved animals), and that passion led me to build my career in the animal field. I started my journey as a Zookeeper, training and learning exotic husbandry. I was blessed with two amazing kids and a husband who loves dogs just as much as I do. As my knowledge and love for animals grew, I found I not only liked helping animals, but educating and inspiring people as well.
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"As new paths opened, I found myself led to the amazing work of BCHS with a drive to help animals by engaging the community. As I stepped into a roll at BCHS, I found it surrounded and supported by beautiful community. My mission is to foster that community and help it grow by helping provide support and an uplifting outlook."
Belicia Garcia
Canine Team Lead
"I am a fur parent to 3 cats, 2 dogs, and, so far, 12 foster dogs! I've always loved animals of all kinds, furry or spikey, and knew I wanted to incorporate animals into my everyday life. For my '22 senior project, I presented a seminar to elementary school students on animal body language with my pet hedgehog. This experience motivated me to venture into a career where I can help set up animals and families for success. I love being able to help my community and advocate for our pets, whether that's through enrichment, educating on body language, or helping find the perfect fit for every home!
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"I hope to truly make a difference in the lives of the dogs I come across. I've found fostering to be incredibly rewarding and truly improves a dog's chance at finding a home. My position at BCHS allows me to provide support, nurturement, leadership, and allows me to consistently learn new things to better myself, my team, and community. My mission is to provide care, shelter, and attention to our homeless pets in need as well as educating, supporting, and assisting our local society."
Kamdyn Zinkan
Feline Team Lead & Volunteer Coordinator
“I’m a self-proclaimed nerd who’s always excited to learn something new—whether it’s diving into a great book, falling down a historical rabbit hole, or exploring Renaissance Faires across the country (corsets and turkey legs included!).
"Animals have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I’m lucky enough to be greeted every day by my beloved grey cat, who never misses a chance to say hello when I get home.
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“I began my journey at the Humane Society as part of the feline team, helping with cleaning and care. Thanks to the incredible support and encouragement from our amazing management and staff, I’ve since been able to grow into a role where I not only continue working with the cats I love, but also get to support and engage with our amazing volunteers. I’m especially excited to be part of helping our volunteer base grow and flourish!"
