Alexsey Dobberstine | Leaving Animal Welfare Better Than You Found It
Alexsey Dobberstine | Leaving Animal Welfare Better Than You Found It
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For Alexsey Dobberstine, animal welfare became a career after an unexpected opportunity with the Houston SPCA helped her discover a deeper sense of purpose. Today, she serves as the Animal Services Manager for Midland Animal Services in Texas, bringing experience from grooming, shelter operations, and animal welfare leadership to a growing community.
Located in West Texas, Midland faces unique challenges, including pet abandonment and owner surrenders connected to its transient population. Many residents move to the area for work and leave pets behind when they relocate. Alexsey discusses how understanding these local circumstances is essential to addressing the needs of the animals and the people they serve.
After years in the industry, Alexsey has learned that effective leadership depends on building a positive culture and empowering staff to grow.
“I think culture is such a huge, huge impact on your team.”
She encourages her team to focus on what they can do rather than becoming overwhelmed by everything they lack. Her approach is to break difficult situations into smaller steps, helping staff feel more confident and capable of finding solutions.
“We focus on what we can and what is our next step.”
During her first year at Midland Animal Services, Alexsey focused on strengthening the organization’s culture, developing leadership teams, and improving existing processes. Rather than imposing immediate, sweeping changes, she worked with staff to identify opportunities and build improvements together.
She also emphasizes the importance of preparing future leaders. Inspired by her own mentor, Alexsey wants to create a workplace where employees are encouraged to develop their skills, even if their next career opportunity takes them somewhere else.
“Empower somebody else to have that ability and help them grow in their career.”
Alexsey also reflects on the evolution of animal welfare, particularly the growing emphasis on collaboration and smart sheltering. While she has witnessed division and judgment surrounding different shelter approaches, she hopes the industry will increasingly focus on shared goals, available resources, and mutual support.
“We’re all in it for the animals and we can have differing opinions.”
As the conversation concludes, Alexsey describes the legacy she hopes to leave behind. Rather than seeking national recognition, she wants her work to create improvements that other shelters and municipalities can adapt to their own communities.
“I just want to leave animal welfare better than I entered it.”
If you’re passionate about helping animals, join the Doobert community where volunteers, fosters, transporters, and organizations work together to save lives every day. Visit Doobert.com to get involved.
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Do you know any Top Dogs we should interview? We’re always looking for amazing people in animal welfare to feature on the podcast. Send us an email at tdp@doobert.com.
