With a culture of continuous learning, HSSV fosters a growth-oriented work environment for staff at all levels and functions. Investing time and resources into professional development not only supports the individual, but our organization as a whole. Our commitment to our values and working agreements, shines through our staff and the opportunities to increase their impact. Learn about the HSSV career journeys from some of our staff!
Bridget Haese-Schweitzer started with HSSV in 2022 and has grown tremendously in her career with our organization. Her role has expanded over time and she has since been promoted to Senior Manager, Veterinary Services (Surgery and Shelter Medicine).
What was a driving factor in your decision to join HSSV?
I worked as an LVT for a large animal welfare organization for a few years in NYC before realizing I wanted to pursue a leadership role – one where I could lead and work with a strong team in animal welfare. While searching for job opportunities, I looked more into HSSV and the area, and felt it would be a place where I could learn and grow. I was brought onsite for a visit and really liked what I saw – I saw a team who clearly knew what they were doing and had trust in each other and themselves. I saw a team I could grow with.
How has your position evolved since joining?
I initially joined HSSV as the Surgery Manager in the Medical center, a role that was a perfect fit given my passion for high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter. During my first year and a half, I cultivated strong relationships with Medical and other teams, working together to increase efficiency and processes in spay/neuter. As I became more involved, I began assisting with broader shelter medicine processes for our in-house animals, gaining more knowledge than ever before. This experience led to an opportunity to expand my leadership, allowing me to oversee both the surgery and shelter medicine teams.
Describe how HSSV has supported your professional development.
HSSV has shown me more support than I’ve ever experienced before. I’ve always had a strong ambitious spirit with a high-functioning work ethic so I constantly need to feel challenged to learn, grow, and expand my horizons – all of which HSSV has provided me. Being newer in the leadership aspect of animal welfare, I am also surrounded by strong leaders, not only in my department, but across the organization, who I can go to for support if I need advice or guidance on how to maneuver a specific situation.
How does your position at HSSV relate to your career aspirations?
My ultimate career goal is to lead or run my own mobile veterinary services clinic, offering spay/neuter and preventative care to underserved communities. The position I currently have provides plenty of opportunities to support future endeavors in providing accessible veterinary care. I am currently obtaining my Masters in Shelter Medicine at the University of Florida which directly aligns with my line of work at HSSV, so it’s greatly beneficial.
Where do you see yourself making an impact at HSSV?
My prior experience in HQHVSN and animal welfare combined with my desire to learn more about the field allows me to make a greater impact at HSSV. I am able to find ways to increase efficiency without placing a higher toll on my team because I fully understand the work, and have done the work on the floor myself. This allows me to approach situations as a manager with a deeper level of understanding. My experience allows me to provide more beneficial on-the-floor training with my team.
What makes HSSV a great place to work?
HSSV is very collaborative as an organization. We routinely work cross-departmentally to ensure animals receive the best care possible. With collaboration also comes flexibility within our teams. Our teams remain flexible and adaptable which allows us to try new ideas, receive feedback, and grow our skills.
Share a favorite animal story.
Molly is a 6 y/o Cane Corso I adopted on my 1-year anniversary of working at HSSV! Molly came in through one of our weekly transports from the Central Valley. She came in postpartum, underweight, and with some hip/knee issues. For the longest time, I told myself that I wasn’t going to adopt an animal from this job as I had two previous foster fail cats from my previous job, but then I saw Molly. I first saw Molly actually when we were prepping her for her spay surgery and knew immediately, I was going to end up taking her home. I grew up with the breed and am a big fan. She’s an absolute sweetheart and a gentle giant. She is a fan favorite at work and is the best officemate one could ask for! Molly has definitely helped me become more outgoing and acclimated to living in California.
Kyoko Ingawa began her career with HSSV in 2021 as a temporary associate; after leaving for a bit to follow her music passion, she returned to our team in 2023 as a Community Services Associate and was later promoted to Supervisor, Community Services.
What was a driving factor in your decision to join HSSV?
I was really drawn to HSSV because of their dedication to helping people by making veterinary care accessible for their pets. It’s amazing to be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of animals and their families. HSSV genuinely cares about both the well-being of pets and the people who love them, which creates a positive ripple effect in our community.
How has your position evolved since joining?
I’ve moved into a supervisor role, which has given me the chance to have a bigger impact. I get to drive program improvements and lead my team in serving our clients and their animals. My responsibilities expanded to include identifying areas where we can improve and exploring new initiatives to enhance our services.
Describe how HSSV has supported your professional development.
HSSV really values career growth and promotes from within, which has helped me advance from an associate to a supervisor. It’s been a journey of personal and professional growth for me, boosting my leadership skills and confidence along the way.
How does your position at HSSV relate to your career aspirations?
My role is a perfect fit for my passion for animal welfare and leadership. It allows me to develop programs and initiatives that improve both animal care and client services, which is central to what I want to achieve in my career.
Where do you see yourself making an impact at HSSV?
I want to focus on educating the community about responsible pet ownership and the resources available to them, as well as the importance of accessible animal care. By raising awareness, I hope to strengthen the bond between pets and their families and help reduce the need for animal surrenders.
What makes HSSV a great place to work?
HSSV has a collaborative and supportive work environment where everyone shares the same focus of improving the lives of animals and the people who love them. I see that passion every day, which inspires me and my colleagues to put our best foot forward.
Share a favorite animal story.
One story that stands out to me is about a client whose dog had hip issues. They went to incredible lengths to help their pet, even cutting off the legs of their couch to stop the dog from jumping. Through our mobile wellness clinic, we worked closely with the owner to find the right medication for the dog. This experience was a touching reminder of the strong bond between pets and their owners and showed me how even small changes can make a huge difference in an animal’s quality of life.
Bridget and Kyoko bring incredible passion and dedication to HSSV, making a meaningful impact on both animals and people. We’re lucky to have them on our team!