Staff | Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

Announcing Hallie Hill’s Director of Development: Mike Gibbons

Dec 6, 2024

Meet Mike Gibbons, our new Director of Development! Mike has spent more than a decade in nonprofit fundraising, having worked in the arts and in human services. Prior to his time working with nonprofits, Mike spent 15 years in journalism as a newspaper editor, reporter and photographer. Mike lives in Mount Pleasant with his wife, Jen. They met when they were students at the University of Alabama way back in the 1990s! Mike and Jen have two grown children – Parker, a naturalist and herpetologist, and Allie, a school psychologist. Originally from Aiken, Mike moved to the Lowcountry in 2014.

Mike’s lifetime love of animals makes him the perfect match for Hallie Hill! Mike and Jen have a long history of having rescues join their family, starting with Montgomery in 1994. He was followed by basset hound Maggie, Dachshund Murphy and boxer Maddux, as well as Delilah the cat. While the Gibbons’ do not currently have any furry friends, their home is host to several reptiles and amphibians. We welcome Mike to the Hallie Hill family and look forward to working together to make the Sanctuary even better!

Jennifer Middleton, CAWA

Jul 19, 2024

Jennifer Middleton is a certified animal welfare administrator and serves as the Executive Director. Her passion for Hallie Hill’s mission explains her abundance of enthusiasm and a “no quitting” attitude. Jennifer grew up in the Hollywood area and found herself rescuing animals of all kinds throughout her childhood and into adulthood. Whether it be orphaned opossums or dogs from the roadside- she could not turn away from an animal in distress.

Graduating from College of Charleston, she enjoyed a successful career as a science and math teacher in Charleston County public schools for 17 years. During her time in the classroom, she achieved National Board certification in early adolescent science and was awarded Teacher of the Year for Charleston County in 2006/2007. Her passion for learning, teaching, and caring for others has never waned.

Jennifer lives in Meggett happily married to Benji. They have two sons: Ben and Josh. They also have two silly dogs named Buck and Zoey.

Michele Griffin, CPDT-KA

Mar 17, 2023

Michele Griffin is the Assistant Director and Volunteer Coordinator at Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed, as well as a licensed Family Paws Educator. In her spare time, she volunteers for two dog rescue organizations, Basenji Rescue and Transport (BRAT) and Husky Education and Rescue Team (HEART).

Michele’s professional background includes various positions in dog daycare, veterinary assistant, volunteer management, and dog behavior in open-intake animal shelters locally and in New York, as well as a US Air Force veteran.

Originally from upstate New York, Michele currently resides in Summerville with her husband, Shawn, two young adult children, and three dogs: Arlo, Maisey and Remy. Michele is passionate about keeping dogs in their forever homes by helping others understand why dogs do what they do and how they communicate through their body language. Her favorite part of her job at Hallie Hill is counseling potential adopters. She helps them decide what pet would be the best choice for their lifestyle and she supports adopters at any time with challenges they may be having with their pet by using compassionate, humane, methods of training. Michele is a wonderful addition to our Hallie Hill team and we are so happy to have her!

Dr. Jennifer McLaughlin

Oct 25, 2022

Dr. Jennifer McLaughlin has been an integral part of our team since January, having previously volunteered with us. Dr. McLaughlin brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for animal care that has already made a significant impact on our sanctuary.

Originally from Oxford, Ohio, Dr. McLaughlin took an unconventional route to her veterinary career. She first earned a BA in economics from Vanderbilt University and then an MBA from the University of Cincinnati. However, her love for animals led her to pivot in her mid-30s, returning to school to pursue veterinary medicine at Ohio State University. Following her graduation, she spent 30 years practicing small animal medicine at Avery Animal Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Beyond her professional commitments, Dr. McLaughlin is an enthusiastic hiker and backpacker. Her adventurous spirit has led her on remarkable journeys, including a three-week trek to Everest Base Camp and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro! Dr. McLaughlin shares her life with her husband, Bob, and their son, Ryan. She is also a proud grandmother to Lenna, with another granddaughter on the way in November. At home,
she cares for two cats, Chihuly and Howard, along with three dogs, Snoop Dogg, Izzy, and Charlie Brown—whom she is fostering from Hallie Hill.

Her strong connection to the sanctuary is evident, and we are grateful for the expertise and compassion she brings to our animals and the Hallie Hill community. Thank you, Dr. McLaughlin, for being a vital part of our team!

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Daisy McKenzie

May 19, 2022

Daisy McKenzie is an animal care provider and also assists with maintenance. Daisy distributes medications, feeds, cleans, and grooms. Daisy But this girl isn’t afraid to get dirty- and can also be found mowing the grass and running the tractor. Daisy grew up in a farm like environment, caring for not only dogs and cats, but horses, goats, rabbits, chickens, and more. Her love of animals is unsurpassed and she has a very special way with our feline residents. Daisy completed the Fear Free Shelter Program, graduated from West Ashley High School and lives in Adams Run with her four-legged children: dogs named Gator, Ginger, Sugar, Sybil, and Maggie and cats named Delta, Fred and Candy.

Mike Gibbons

Nov 19, 2018

Mike Gibbons is the Director of Development at Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary. Mike has spent more than a decade in nonprofit fundraising, having worked in the arts and human services. However, his lifetime love of animals made for the perfect match with Hallie Hill. Prior to his time in nonprofits, Mike spent 15 years in journalism as a newspaper editor, reporter and photographer.

Mike lives in Mount Pleasant with his wife, Jen. They have two grown children – Parker, a naturalist and herpetologist, and Allie, a school psychologist. Originally from Aiken, Mike moved to the Lowcountry in 2014. He and his wife met when they were students at the University of Alabama way back in the 1990s.