Patty Hegwood, Director of Volunteer & Visitor Engagement
Patty Hegwood was recruited in January 2011 to be the inaugural director for the new Volunteer and Visitor Engagement division for Best Friends Animal Society. This division houses all of the areas that work with supporters to insure that their experience at the Sanctuary is positive and inspirational, and to offer educational and resource opportunities for people to get active on behalf of the animals in their communities when they return home.
Patty first started working at Best Friends in 2006 as the manager of the Best Friends clinic. She was recruited to join Best Friends' staff following the society's efforts in Hurricane Katrina pet rescue. At that time, Patty was the lay business partner in a veterinary hospital; in fact, she was the first non-medical business partner in a veterinary hospital in the state of Louisiana.
Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Patty and her partner ran a for-profit business with a tiered system for nonprofits. They opened the very first feral cat spay/neuter operation in the New Orleans area and began fixing feral cats by the thousands. When the hurricane hit, Patty was in a feed store with 150 animals one mile from the floods and rode out the hurricane with her family. When the floodwaters subsided, she said, "Best Friends came riding up like the cavalry and stayed until the job was done."
For Patty, Hurricane Katrina was a turning point. She felt that she could help serve even more animals on the national level, so she came to Best Friends. In 2007 Patty was promoted to animal care director at Best Friends Animal Society's sanctuary and she held that position until 2011.
Patty grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was an avid rescuer of cats and dogs from a very young age. She received her bachelor of arts and science degree from Louisiana State University.
Patty lives in Kanab, Utah, with her husband, Jason Hegwood, who also works for Best Friends, and their daughter, Hannah. Their happy family includes lots of dogs and cats and they enjoy hiking and gardening.
