At Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary, our mission is made possible by the incredible people who give their time, talents, and hearts to the animals in our care. Every volunteer plays an important role, but this month, we are especially honored to recognize two individuals whose impact can be felt across nearly every corner of the Sanctuary: Dave and Lynn Rosato.

Since joining the Hallie Hill family in 2015, Lynn has become one of our most dedicated and recognizable volunteers. Many of our supporters eagerly await the arrival of The Howler each month, but what many may not realize is the tremendous amount of work that happens behind the scenes to bring that newsletter to life. Lynn has been the driving force behind The Howler for years, carefully assembling updates, stories, event information, and animal success stories that keep our community connected to the Sanctuary.

Her commitment extends far beyond the written page.

If you’ve seen Hallie Hill featured on local television, chances are you’ve also seen Lynn. As one of our most enthusiastic ambassadors, she regularly helps introduce adoptable animals to the community, giving them a chance to shine in front of potential adopters. Whether she is sharing their stories on air, helping at community events, or lending a hand wherever needed, Lynn consistently steps forward when Hallie Hill calls.

From setting up tents and tables to baking homemade treats for Sanctuary events, she approaches every task with the same energy, compassion, and dedication that have made her such a valued member of our volunteer family.

Of course, Lynn is only half of a remarkable team.

Behind many of the scenes at Hallie Hill is Dave, whose talents and willingness to tackle any project have helped keep the Sanctuary running smoothly for years. Whether he is repairing equipment, working on facility improvements, maintaining the security system, or putting his carpentry skills to work, Dave is often the person making sure important projects get done.

His practical expertise and can-do attitude have benefited both our staff and our animals in countless ways. If something needs fixing, building, or improving, Dave is usually ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work.

Outside of Hallie Hill, Dave also serves as president of the British Car Club of Charleston and plays a key role in organizing the automobile portion of our annual Animals, Art & Automobiles fundraiser, helping create another meaningful opportunity to support the Sanctuary and the animals who call it home.

As if their volunteer contributions were not enough, Dave and Lynn have also opened their hearts and home to Hallie Hill animals through adoption. Their family includes four beloved Hallie Hill cats: Tinkerbelle, Stono, Zoey, and Finn. Each one is a reminder of the life-changing impact adoption can have, both for animals and for the people who love them.

Volunteers are the heartbeat of Hallie Hill. From hands-on animal care and facility maintenance to events, fundraising, transportation, and community outreach, volunteers help ensure every animal receives the love, attention, and support they deserve.

Dave and Lynn embody the very best of what volunteerism means. They give generously of their time, share their talents without hesitation, and continually advocate for animals in need. Their contributions have helped strengthen Hallie Hill’s mission and improve the lives of countless dogs and cats over the years.

To Dave and Lynn, thank you. Thank you for your compassion, your dedication, your hard work, and your unwavering commitment to the animals of Hallie Hill. We are deeply grateful for everything you do, and we are proud to celebrate you as this month’s Volunteer Spotlight.

If you have ever considered volunteering at Hallie Hill, we encourage you to get involved. Every hour donated, every skill shared, and every act of kindness helps create brighter futures for the animals who depend on us.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Learn more about volunteer opportunities at Hallie Hill and discover how you can make a difference in the lives of our animals

At Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary, every person who joins our team brings something meaningful to the animals and community we care for each day. We are so happy to welcome our newest staff member, Mea Raney, to the Hallie Hill family.

Mea comes to Hallie Hill with more than a decade of experience in animal work across both shelter and clinical settings. Her background spans dogs, cats, and small animals, with a special focus on behavior and understanding the unique needs of each individual animal.

Throughout her work, Mea has remained passionate about creating environments where animals feel safe, supported, and understood. That sense of patience and compassion aligns beautifully with the values we hold close at Hallie Hill.

Beyond her animal care experience, Mea brings a thoughtful and creative perspective to her work. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and also creates and sells artwork in her free time. She later earned a Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in mental health, adding another layer of understanding to the care and connection she hopes to build throughout her career.

Mea shares her home with three rescue cats and hopes to continue growing her work in animal caretaking, behavioral assessment, and intervention. She is passionate about helping animals find the homes where they can thrive and live happy, fulfilling lives. She also hopes to explore opportunities involving therapy animals and the meaningful connection they can create with people.

When she is not working with animals, you can often find Mea hiking, drawing, or enjoying a good horror movie.

At Hallie Hill, we know that caring for animals is about more than meeting physical needs. It is about patience, presence, understanding, and building trust over time. We are grateful to have someone with Mea’s experience, kindness, and heart joining our team.

Please join us in giving Mea a warm welcome as she begins this new chapter with us. We are excited for the animals and people whose lives she will touch along the way. 💚

Welcome to Hallie Hill, Mea. We are so happy you are here.

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!

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.