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Meet our team:
Ashley Thomas, Shelter Director
Ashley’s family includes an extremely supportive husband, and several rescued furry family members. Her personal experience includes cats, dogs, goats, pigs, ferrets, and birds. Ashley started working at Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville in January of 2009 as a kennel cleaner. She quickly discovered that she was especially passionate about fostering animals that were not ready for adoption. During her first four years at YWAC, she worked in animal care, intake, and adoptions. In 2013, Ashley became the Placement Manager and immediately began building a foster care program which had approximately 350 families engaged in lifesaving efforts when she left YWAC. Ashley’s time running the foster program greatly expanded her medical capabilities and knowledge. As Placement Manager, she was also responsible for rescue group partnerships/placement, northern transport initiatives, helping to manage the shelter, and performing behavior assessments. Ashley is beyond excited to use her knowledge in her new role as Shelter Director for Sevier Animal Care Center. She grew up in Seymour and is overjoyed to be able to be able to help the animals in her own community.
Ashley is passionate about promoting the need for self-care in the field of animal welfare to fight the effects of compassion fatigue. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, driving sport cars, motorcycles, and obsessing over nerdy fandoms.
Ashley Thomas, Shelter Director
Ashley’s family includes an extremely supportive husband, and several rescued furry family members. Her personal experience includes cats, dogs, goats, pigs, ferrets, and birds. Ashley started working at Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville in January of 2009 as a kennel cleaner. She quickly discovered that she was especially passionate about fostering animals that were not ready for adoption. During her first four years at YWAC, she worked in animal care, intake, and adoptions. In 2013, Ashley became the Placement Manager and immediately began building a foster care program which had approximately 350 families engaged in lifesaving efforts when she left YWAC. Ashley’s time running the foster program greatly expanded her medical capabilities and knowledge. As Placement Manager, she was also responsible for rescue group partnerships/placement, northern transport initiatives, helping to manage the shelter, and performing behavior assessments. Ashley is beyond excited to use her knowledge in her new role as Shelter Director for Sevier Animal Care Center. She grew up in Seymour and is overjoyed to be able to be able to help the animals in her own community.
Ashley is passionate about promoting the need for self-care in the field of animal welfare to fight the effects of compassion fatigue. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, driving sport cars, motorcycles, and obsessing over nerdy fandoms.
Amanda Hall, Shelter Manager / Foster Coordinator
Amanda is a wife and a mother to of one human child and a few lucky rescued cats and a small dog. Amanda has been a foster mama for feral and neonatal kittens since her sheltering career started at Young-Williams Animal Center nine years ago. Amanda began her journey there as an adoption counselor, and eventually moved to the intake department where she acquired extensive experience working with many different types of animals. Amanda’s passion for helping pets in need runs deep. She is excited to join Sevierville and the surrounding counties in their mission to help prevent pet homelessness and over population.
Amanda is a wife and a mother to of one human child and a few lucky rescued cats and a small dog. Amanda has been a foster mama for feral and neonatal kittens since her sheltering career started at Young-Williams Animal Center nine years ago. Amanda began her journey there as an adoption counselor, and eventually moved to the intake department where she acquired extensive experience working with many different types of animals. Amanda’s passion for helping pets in need runs deep. She is excited to join Sevierville and the surrounding counties in their mission to help prevent pet homelessness and over population.
Janice Templeton, Assistant Shelter Manager/Volunteer Coordinator
Janice is married to Derick Templeton and has two amazing daughters, Whitley (18 yrs.) and Kennedy (15 yrs.). She is a big-time soccer mom and makes sure her kids can hear her cheering them on. In 2016, Janice worked at Sevier County Humane Society as a kennel tech. She then spent most of 2017 volunteering for Pets Without Parents. At PWP she helped with events, transporting animals to the vet, and anything else needed. During the 3 months after Pets Without Parents’ shutdown, she worked alongside her husband to help find homes for the 150 animals that were in PWP’s care. That is where she met our Shelter Director, Ashley, who came to lend a hand. In the aftermath of that experience, Janice found a new animal welfare group to support- Misfit Dog Project. She volunteers and fosters for MDP. Her favorite thing to help with is adoption events because she and the animals get to meet new people and Janice loves talking to the community. As a side project, Janice TNR’s (trap, neuter, release) feral cats in Pigeon Forge to help lower the homeless cat population. Janice came to join our Sevier Animal Care Center Team on 9/1/19, and did not miss a beat. Her knowledge, experience, and ties this the community are invaluable.
Janice is married to Derick Templeton and has two amazing daughters, Whitley (18 yrs.) and Kennedy (15 yrs.). She is a big-time soccer mom and makes sure her kids can hear her cheering them on. In 2016, Janice worked at Sevier County Humane Society as a kennel tech. She then spent most of 2017 volunteering for Pets Without Parents. At PWP she helped with events, transporting animals to the vet, and anything else needed. During the 3 months after Pets Without Parents’ shutdown, she worked alongside her husband to help find homes for the 150 animals that were in PWP’s care. That is where she met our Shelter Director, Ashley, who came to lend a hand. In the aftermath of that experience, Janice found a new animal welfare group to support- Misfit Dog Project. She volunteers and fosters for MDP. Her favorite thing to help with is adoption events because she and the animals get to meet new people and Janice loves talking to the community. As a side project, Janice TNR’s (trap, neuter, release) feral cats in Pigeon Forge to help lower the homeless cat population. Janice came to join our Sevier Animal Care Center Team on 9/1/19, and did not miss a beat. Her knowledge, experience, and ties this the community are invaluable.
Jamie Jett, Kennel Technician
Jamie’s family includes 2 sons, 1 daughter, and 6 dogs. One of his furkids is a pitbull blend named Diesel who was adopted from our shelter. Jamie and his family volunteered with us during the first couple of months after our shelter opened. His dedication and compassion for our animals became apparent very quickly, as did his strong work ethic. Jamie was hired in January and has hit the ground running. In the recent past, Jamie has worked construction and maintenance jobs. To his credit, he has been a member of the Northview Kodak Volunteer Fire Department for 18 years, as well as a Lieutenant for 3 terms.
Jamie Jett, Kennel Technician
Jamie’s family includes 2 sons, 1 daughter, and 6 dogs. One of his furkids is a pitbull blend named Diesel who was adopted from our shelter. Jamie and his family volunteered with us during the first couple of months after our shelter opened. His dedication and compassion for our animals became apparent very quickly, as did his strong work ethic. Jamie was hired in January and has hit the ground running. In the recent past, Jamie has worked construction and maintenance jobs. To his credit, he has been a member of the Northview Kodak Volunteer Fire Department for 18 years, as well as a Lieutenant for 3 terms.
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Hope Maxwell, Kennel Technician
Hope Maxwell was hired at the end of June, 2019. We are fortunate to have her compassionate nature and bright spirit on our team! She enjoys caring for her family’s various cats (Chloe, Edna, and Tiger) and dogs (Laken, Tasha, and Dixie), and since 2017, she has taken on the additional responsibility of caring for four horses (Golden, Midnight, Hiker, and Harley). Hope volunteers with Horse Haven of Tennessee where she is part of the GO Team, an emergency equine rescue group on call 24/7 to assist in car wrecks, owner surrenders, and other tragedies where horses are involved. In addition, she is part of Horse Haven’s exercise program where she rides or walks horses needing that attention. In her free time, Hope also enjoys training and participating in rodeos with Golden (a rescue from Horse Haven) where they run poles and barrels. They are a competitive team with very similar personalities. At Sevier Animal Care Center, Hope is a kennel technician who is continuously stepping up to foster the kittens and pups in most need! Her favorite part about working SACC is the ability to learn new skills.
Hope Maxwell was hired at the end of June, 2019. We are fortunate to have her compassionate nature and bright spirit on our team! She enjoys caring for her family’s various cats (Chloe, Edna, and Tiger) and dogs (Laken, Tasha, and Dixie), and since 2017, she has taken on the additional responsibility of caring for four horses (Golden, Midnight, Hiker, and Harley). Hope volunteers with Horse Haven of Tennessee where she is part of the GO Team, an emergency equine rescue group on call 24/7 to assist in car wrecks, owner surrenders, and other tragedies where horses are involved. In addition, she is part of Horse Haven’s exercise program where she rides or walks horses needing that attention. In her free time, Hope also enjoys training and participating in rodeos with Golden (a rescue from Horse Haven) where they run poles and barrels. They are a competitive team with very similar personalities. At Sevier Animal Care Center, Hope is a kennel technician who is continuously stepping up to foster the kittens and pups in most need! Her favorite part about working SACC is the ability to learn new skills.
Emily Evans, Kennel Technician
Emily has a natural love and joy for animals that shines brightest when here at our shelter. She also enjoys learning all the many parts of a kennel technician's job which helps keep the shelter at its best. Her previous experience as a Dog Groomer and also as a volunteer for the Connecticut Audubon Society helped her discover a passion for working with animals. Emily is a new Tennessee resident as well so let’s all make an extra effort to welcome her.
When she’s away from work her favorite places to spend time are hiking in the mountains (with a dog of course), going to the lake and swimming, or baking-either for people or for four-legged appetites. She is thankful for the chance to join the staff at Sevier Animal Care Center and is glad they've "adopted" her into the work family. Emily was hired in August of 2020
Emily has a natural love and joy for animals that shines brightest when here at our shelter. She also enjoys learning all the many parts of a kennel technician's job which helps keep the shelter at its best. Her previous experience as a Dog Groomer and also as a volunteer for the Connecticut Audubon Society helped her discover a passion for working with animals. Emily is a new Tennessee resident as well so let’s all make an extra effort to welcome her.
When she’s away from work her favorite places to spend time are hiking in the mountains (with a dog of course), going to the lake and swimming, or baking-either for people or for four-legged appetites. She is thankful for the chance to join the staff at Sevier Animal Care Center and is glad they've "adopted" her into the work family. Emily was hired in August of 2020
Reagan Williams, Kennel Technician
Reagan has always had a love for animals since a young age. In 2015, she decided to take the first step toward making her passion for dogs a career. She began by educating herself on canine behavior and participating in training classes with her own dog, focusing on leash reactivity towards other dogs. Reagan volunteered at Young Williams Animal Shelter from 2014-2016. She took her talents to PetSafe Village in late 2015 and began training dogs professionally. Following this step in her career, in early 2017, she joined a franchise where she sharpened her skills training dogs. After four years of learning and training Reagan decided to open her own business with her husband called Top Notch Canine! Since then, she has assisted Sevier Animal Care Center with many shelter dogs who needed a little training help. Reagan has also been a resource to owners that were considering surrendering their pets due to behavior challenges. Her favorite aspect of working at SACC is helping people find a dog or cat to join their family, and the joy that it brings their lives.
Reagan and her husband, Will, and have one infant daughter together, 5 dogs, 3 goats, and 13 chickens. In her free time, she enjoys riding her motorcycle and spending time with family.
Reagan has always had a love for animals since a young age. In 2015, she decided to take the first step toward making her passion for dogs a career. She began by educating herself on canine behavior and participating in training classes with her own dog, focusing on leash reactivity towards other dogs. Reagan volunteered at Young Williams Animal Shelter from 2014-2016. She took her talents to PetSafe Village in late 2015 and began training dogs professionally. Following this step in her career, in early 2017, she joined a franchise where she sharpened her skills training dogs. After four years of learning and training Reagan decided to open her own business with her husband called Top Notch Canine! Since then, she has assisted Sevier Animal Care Center with many shelter dogs who needed a little training help. Reagan has also been a resource to owners that were considering surrendering their pets due to behavior challenges. Her favorite aspect of working at SACC is helping people find a dog or cat to join their family, and the joy that it brings their lives.
Reagan and her husband, Will, and have one infant daughter together, 5 dogs, 3 goats, and 13 chickens. In her free time, she enjoys riding her motorcycle and spending time with family.