Life & Work with Stephanie Long

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Long.

Hi Stephanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I grew up on a family farm in Wayne County, Ohio, and was an active member in the Northwestern FFA and 4-H. I grew up with a love and respect for all animals, but I have a soft spot for horse, dogs, and cats. I have 6 sisters and 2 more sisters that my parents helped to raise. I am a proud aunt and love my nieces and nephews dearly. I was the first person in my family to go to college. I studied at The Ohio State University and hold an Associate of Science in Agricultural Education, an Associate of Science in Animal Science with additional years towards an undergraduate in Veterinary Sciences. While in college I met the love of my life, Jeff. We have been together for over 20 years. He is very supportive of my goals and ambitions. After college, I worked at the local career center as a classroom aide for the Animal Care & Management Program. I left to pursue further education but decided that the cost was going to be too much at the time for our family. I was hired at the Wayne County Humane Society in 2014 and have been here since. I am currently the Animal Care Specialist where I oversee the health and welfare of the animals in our care. I also work with other rescues for animal placements, foster parents, and local vets to help with continued care. I make sure all animals are healthy and happy before being placed up for adoption. I am so blessed to have a job that I enjoy. In the rescue field it can be very emotional and draining since you do see the worst in humanity. I do feel this is balanced in that I also see the best in people too. I would not be able to do my job without a wonderful support network between my family, friends, and coworkers. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My parents divorced when I was young; there were a few years where it felt like an emotional roller coaster. But my mom married a great guy that treated us like his own. My dad remained in our lives as well. What started out as a challenge ended up being a blessing as it made our family even larger. 

I was a very shy and not confident as a child either, that did not change until I was in college. My boss at the time gave me some great advice. “No one here knows who you were. Now is the time to be the you that you have always wanted to be.” 

I was also the first person in my family to go to college. This brought along its own challenges as I had no one I knew that could give me advice. I felt like I was flying blind my first few years and never knew what to expect. I also was not able to receive a lot of financial help from my parents, so I was working a lot of hours while in college. 

In 2020, during the lockdown I contracted Covid, I now suffer from long-hauler syndrome. I have a wonderful employer and coworkers that are able to help me work through my symptoms. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the Animal Care Specialist at the Wayne County Humane Society. I have been employed here since 2014. When I first started, we had a high euthanasia rate. Over the years, I was able to help build bridges with other rescues, fosters, and the public to help get at-risk animals out of the shelter. We have noticeably reduced our Euthanasia rates, and I am proud to say that we do not euthanize animals for space or length of stay. 

We have also implemented a TNR (Trap-neuter-return) program that has help reduce the stray cat population in our community. 

I am always researching new and inventive ways to improve the animal’s time spent while in our care. I also enjoy the part of my job that allows me to go to elementary schools and do public education with students. 

What does success mean to you?
I do not think of success as the money you make or the job that you have. It is the number of lives you have helped. I have been able to help 13,779 cats and dogs since working here at The Wayne County Humane Society. I think that in itself is a success! 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wchs.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WayneCountyHumaneSociety?mibextid=zLoPMf