Gwen grew up just north of Madison, in Lodi, and has continued to live in the area post-graduation to stay close to family. Gwen started working at Dane County Humane Society in August of 2021 on the Canine Behavior Team and joined Pets for Life in December 2023. Gwen is a Certified Dog Trainer through Animal Behavior College and is an IAABC-Shelter Behavior Affiliate. She has assisted in teaching local dog training classes and worked at Mounds, where she loved finding unique ways to help every pet and owner work together as a team.

As her love for shelter work has grown, Gwen has learned the importance of DCHS's motto "Helping People Help Animals". She saw the joy that pets experience being reunited with their owners and how special the love is that the people have for their pets. Gwen believes that nobody should be unable to have or keep a pet, simply due to a lack of resources or where they live.

Gwen has two cats and a dog of her own: Bentley, Charlie, and Ellie. She has also fostered 28 dogs through DCHS, including 2 moms with their litters of puppies. In her non-dog-related free time, Gwen enjoys digital art, photography, reading, movies, and attending soccer games.

If you have questions about the free Pets for Life Program, you can call or text Gwen at (608) 513-4262.