Meet The Team

As Executive Director of the South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Sarah oversees all aspects of daily operations—from managing animal care and intakes to guiding staff, interns, and volunteers. She plays a central role in coordinating educational programs, organizing outreach events, and ensuring every animal, whether in rehabilitation or part of the ambassador team, receives the best possible care. Her strong leadership and genuine compassion help the center run smoothly and maintain its welcoming, mission-driven environment.

Sarah earned her B.S. in Natural Resources Management from Texas Tech University in 2017 and later worked as a Wildlife Officer for the City of Austin, gaining valuable experience in environmental management and conservation enforcement. After returning to Lubbock, she reconnected with SPWRC to continue her work in wildlife rehabilitation and education, combining her passion for animals with her belief in second chances.

Since rejoining SPWRC, Sarah has helped expand programs like Into the Wild summer camp and strengthened the center’s outreach across the community. Her dedication, patience, and warmth continue to guide the team and inspire everyone who works alongside her.

Emmah is a student at Texas Tech University majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She has worked with animals her entire life and began volunteering with wildlife at just 15 years old in Houston, Texas. After taking a short break when she started college, she joined SPWRC three years ago and quickly worked her way up through dedication, knowledge, and a strong passion for wildlife care. She finds rehabilitation deeply rewarding and loves the challenge and purpose that come with helping animals most people never get the chance to handle.

As Lead Facility Manager, Emmah oversees staff and interns, ensures every animal receives proper care, and medically treats both raptors and other native wildlife. She’s involved in every part of the center’s operations—from daily feedings and medical treatments to educational programs and rescues—and is often the first to respond when animals need help. Emmah is also the Lead Raptor Trainer and oversees all of the training and enrichment that better the lives of our non-releasable raptors. Her steady leadership and compassion make her an essential part of the SPWRC team and a driving force behind its mission.

Reid discovered his passion for wildlife at a young age. Growing up on a ranch, he was surrounded by animals daily, and encounters with wildlife were a normal part of life. Over time, his curiosity about the natural world and the wild, non-domestic animals we share it with grew into a deep commitment to understanding and protecting them. Since joining SPWRC, that interest has evolved into a strong passion for wildlife rehabilitation and conservation, shaping the path he plans to pursue for his future career.

As a manager and lead trainer, Reid oversees daily operations and animal care at the center. His work includes training raptors, caring for bird, mammal, and reptile patients, and guiding staff, interns, and volunteers to ensure high standards of care. He also takes part in educational programs and outreach events that promote conservation and awareness. Whether on or off shift, Reid can often be found at the center providing enrichment for the ambassador animals and helping them thrive. His role blends leadership, animal care, and education to further SPWRC’s mission of giving wildlife a second chance and inspiring the community to protect it.

Brooklyn is studying Natural Resource Management with a focus in Wildlife Bioogy at South Plains College. Her lifelong love for animals grew into a deeper passion after joining SPWRC, where she discovered how meaningful it is to care for wildlife that have no one else to rely on. She finds purpose in knowing that every effort, no matter how small, contributes to the recovery and survival of native species, and she especially enjoys seeing animals progress through rehabilitation and return to the wild.

As Weekend Manager, Brooklyn oversees interns and volunteers, ensuring daily operations run smoothly and every animal receives proper care and attention. She also works closely with several of SPWRC’s ambassador birds, helping to train and socialize them for educational programs. Brooklyn hopes to make a lasting difference in wildlife conservation by combining her hands-on experience with her studies in rehabilitation and ecology. She’s passionate about inspiring others to appreciate and protect the wildlife that makes Texas unique.

Savannah joined the SPWRC team with a strong foundation in animal care and a genuine passion for helping both animals and people. She is currently studying Animal Science at Texas Tech University and first connected with the center as a volunteer in March 2025. After completing a summer internship, she officially stepped into a staff role as a wildlife technician in August 2025. Originally seeking additional experience beyond her work as a veterinary technician with domestic animals, Savannah quickly discovered a deep interest in wildlife rehabilitation. She enjoys supporting her supervisors while also mentoring interns and volunteers as they develop their skills in caring for native wildlife. Outside of the SPWRC, Savannah brings her energy and enthusiasm to the Texas Tech Rec Center, where she teaches group fitness classes.​

Carson joined the SPWRC staff after completing his Spring 2026 internship with us. He quickly demonstrated strong work ethic, dedication to our mission, and a clear passion for wildlife rehabilitation. Carson is a Texas Tech student majoring in Natural Resources Management with a concentration in Wildlife Biology, and his internship sparked a genuine interest in pursuing wildlife rehab as a career. We are fortunate to have him on our team, and he now trains Sage, our Mississippi Kite.