The UW Northern Tier Shelter Fellowship Program was created to give shelter leadership staff opportunities for ongoing learning and advanced training, strengthening their ability to support communities and care for animals in need nationwide. This program is modeled after the highly successful Maddie’s UW/UCD Shelter Medicine Veterinary Fellowship.
The UW Northern Tier Shelter Fellowship provides unique opportunities for shelters and animal welfare organizations in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to learn via interaction with the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program team and a variety of animal shelters from the Northern Tier region. In addition, fellows are provided with opportunities throughout the year to interact with other academic and clinical programs, including other university shelter medicine programs and national animal welfare organizations.
The fellows put their new skills to work in their own organizations, directly benefiting animals, teams, and communities. The UW Shelter Medicine Program, in turn, benefits from the infusion of practical experience brought by the Shelter Fellows. Many fellows continue on with the program as alum and mentors, greatly magnifying the impact of this investment in their training.
Interested parties should monitor our website and Northern Tier Facebook Page for application window announcements. The fellowship application opens each winter and fellowship begins in spring. Applicants must be leadership staff working in shelters in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, or Wisconsin. One application per shelter should be submitted with up to two staff in leadership roles listed on the application. Recommended team member applicants include shelter directors or managers accompanied by another key member of leadership.
2026-2027 Northern Tier Fellowship Shelters
Bitter Root Humane Association
The Bitter Root Humane Association is a nonprofit, open-admission animal shelter serving the Bitterroot Valley since 1972, dedicated to providing compassionate care, shelter, and enrichment for homeless companion animals. Based in Hamilton, Montana, BRHA works to find lifelong homes for pets, reunite lost animals with their families, promote responsible pet ownership, and advocate for animal welfare throughout the community. Supported by donors, volunteers, and a volunteer Board of Directors, the organization operates as a community-driven resource, focused on improving outcomes for animals and building a more compassionate, pet-friendly region.
Tucker Chase, Shelter Director of the BRHA, brings a dynamic background in animal welfare that spans shelter leadership, animal control, and wildlife biology. Since 2022, he has led BRHA’s operations, overseeing animal care, staff and volunteer programs, and strategic initiatives that improve adoption outcomes and reduce length of stay. Previously, as a Senior Animal Control Officer in Missoula, he managed complex cruelty investigations, shelter disease response, and public safety efforts, while also contributing to operational system design. Tucker holds a degree in Wildlife Biology, which he put to use for Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, and has completed advanced training in shelter management through the Management Leadership Program in partnership with Best Friends Animal Society, and the Humane Officer Academy levels I and II through NACA. His leadership combines hands-on experience with data-driven strategy to advance innovative, community-focused animal welfare solutions.
City of Great Falls Animal Shelter
Located in Great Falls, Montana, the City of Great Falls Animal Shelter is a municipal facility focused on stray, seized, and at-large animals within the community. The shelter does not accept owner surrenders and operates with an emphasis on responsible intake, prioritizing public safety and animal welfare while supporting pet retention whenever possible. Through proactive programs such as microchipping, vaccination clinics, and return-to-owner initiatives, the team works to reduce unnecessary shelter admissions and keep pets with their families. With a commitment to data-driven decision making and community-based solutions, the shelter continues to evolve as a resource for both animals and the people who care for them.
Laramie Smovir serves as the Operations Manager for the City of Great Falls Animal Shelter, where she oversees daily operations, strategic planning, and community engagement efforts. With a background in communications and marketing, she brings a creative and solutions-oriented approach to municipal sheltering, focusing on sustainable systems, data integrity, and community-driven outcomes. Laramie is passionate about advancing progressive sheltering practices, strengthening partnerships within the veterinary and animal welfare communities, and developing programs that improve both animal outcomes and public service. Through her participation in the University of Wisconsin–Madison Shelter Medicine Fellowship Program, she is excited to further expand her knowledge and bring innovative, practical solutions back to her community.
Fox Valley Humane Association
Vicki Prey is excited and energized to be part of the fellowship. Her journey in animal care began 25 years ago when she became the Animal Control Officer for the Village of Greenville, where she still serves today. Over the years, Vicki spent significant time at Fox Valley Humane Association, and in 2010 she joined their On-Call Team in a part-time capacity. In 2014, a unique partnership was formed between the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department, Outagamie County, and Fox Valley Humane Association. Through this collaboration, Vicki was appointed as the County’s Humane Officer, based out of the shelter, and became a full-time member of the FVHA team. Since then, she has served in multiple roles across the organization.
Great River Rescue
Great River Rescue is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit, no-kill, companion animal shelter located in Bemidji, the first city on the Mississippi, in beautiful rural northern Minnesota. Since opening its doors in 1977, they have helped thousands of animals and have grown to serve more than 350 animals each year. Their mission is to transition dogs and cats to loving homes, serve as a community resource, and advocate for kind, responsible pet care. The Great River Rescue team envisions a society of responsible animal guardians in which every animal is treated with respect, and values care, compassion, and empathy for animals and people. With a robust and vibrant volunteer and foster care program, and strong collaborations with local and regional organizations, schools, and businesses, Great River Rescue plays a crucial role in advocating and providing for animals and those who love them. Great River Rescue also provides low-cost high-volume spay and neuter clinics through its Pet Fixers program, held one weekend a month April-November, performing surgery on 70-80 animals each weekend.
Marina Lovell joined Great River Rescue as Executive Director in December 2023, with a background in teaching, management, non-profit administration, and business consulting. A born animal lover, she wanted to work with animals all her life, but didn’t for the same reason so many people don’t – because she thought it would be heartbreaking. A few years ago, it become clear to her that not working with or for animals was where the heartbreak was, so she stepped up to fill the position at Great River Rescue. Learning on the job has been possible thanks to the incredible dedicated staff, board, volunteers, and community of animal welfare professionals who support and guide each other. Marina leads with a compassionate, open-minded, team approach, and is excited to be part of the Fellowship group so she can expand her knowledge and further improve the services Great River Rescue provides.
Oneida County Humane Society
Seattle Animal Shelter
The Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) is a nationally recognized animal welfare organization that promotes public safety and animal welfare and protects animals from cruelty and neglect. SAS runs animal sheltering and adoption programs to reunite lost animals with their owners and places animals in forever homes. They take approximately 3,000 pets a year into the shelter and average about 60% of their population in foster at any given time. SAS supports more than 5,000 animals per year through various programs and services including a public spay/neuter clinic and monthly community vaccine clinics. They manage pet licensing for City residents and their field services staff enforce Seattle’s laws regarding animals, helping keep animals and people safe. SAS has an operating budget of about $6.7 million and 46 full-time approved equivalent positions. Approximately 800 volunteers support the SAS mission by helping in the di
rect care of animals, fundraising and other activities. At SAS, their mission is to protect the health and safety of Seattle’s people and animals through a deeply community-centric approach. Beyond their core adoption services for dogs, cats, and “critters,” SAS manages a vital municipal infrastructure that includes a low-cost spay/neuter clinic, pet licensing, and compassionate animal code enforcement. They believe the highest form of welfare is keeping pets and people together.
Ashley Harrington is the Executive Director of the Seattle Animal Shelter. She brings 11 years of experience in animal welfare, including her previous role as Director in Nashville, TN, to her work here in Seattle, WA.
Jocelyn Bouchard is the Deputy Director of the Seattle Animal Shelter. She oversees day-to-day operations and supports the Director at the Shelter. Jocelyn has been in animal welfare for over forty years, and has worked in two countries, three states and six different shelters during that time. She has worked in multiple different positions and has spent the last thirty years in leadership roles including over a decade as CEO for Maui Humane Society. She currently lives in Federal Way, Washington, with her two canine companions Riff and Bean Shaped Dog. She is an avid reader, a daily walker and enjoys spending her free time hanging out with friends and family.
Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin
Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin, located in Madison, was founded in 2012 by Executive Director Lauren Brinkman. Lauren’s deep care for animals led her on the path of providing quality experiences for people wanting to help by adopting, fostering, and supporting pets. Each year, Underdog transfers in over 1000 animals from high volume shelters in WI, IL, TN, OK, GA, and AL. These pets are cared for within Underdog’s 200 home volunteer foster network, and then adopted out to loving families.
While Underdog had been providing veterinary care internally for adoptable pets since the beginning, it became clear there was a need for better access to affordable veterinary care in Madison, WI. Underdog Vet Services opened to the public in 2017 with one part time veterinarian. In 2026, Underdog is proud to provide quality, affordable care with their four full-time vets and compassionate support staff. Mobile spay and neuter services are provided by Underdog in rural communities throughout Wisconsin, focusing on supporting shelters in veterinary deserts.
Lauren, her husband Kyle, and their two teenagers live on the north side of Madison with their rescue boxer mix Gilbert, and rescue Persian cats, Herman and Snax.
Previous NT fellowship shelters:
2025-2026 Northern Tier Fellowship Shelters
Everett Animal Shelter
Homeward Animal Shelter
Humane Animal Welfare Society
MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter
Oconto Area Humane Society
South Wood County Humane Society
Valdez Animal Shelter
2024-2025 Northern Tier Fellowship Shelters
Flathead County Animal Shelter
Iowa County Humane Society
Shawano County Humane Society
Tobacco Valley Animal Shelter
2023 Northern Tier Fellowship Shelters
Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County
Humane Society of Jefferson County
Humane Society of the Lakes
Mat-Su Borough Animal Care and Regulation
Missoula City-County Animal Control
Stafford Animal Shelter
Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter
2022 Northern Tier Fellowship Shelters
Butte Silver Bow Animal Shelter
Driftless Humane Society
Fairbanks North Star Borough Animal Control
Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter
Lewis Clark Animal Shelter
Seattle Humane
Washington County Humane Society
2020-2021 Northern Tier Fellowship Shelters
Adams County Humane Society
Alaska SPCA Adoption Center
Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin
Idaho Falls Animal Shelter
Mountain Humane
Snake River Animal Shelter
Whitman County Humane Society
2019-2020 Northern Tier Fellowship Shelters
Auburn Valley Humane Society
Blue Mountain Humane Society
Homeward Pet Adoption Center
Idaho Humane Society
Mountain Humane
Watertown Humane Society
Wisconsin Humane Society
2018-2019 Northern Tier Fellowship Shelters
Flathead County Animal Shelter
Humane Society of Western Montana
Regional Animal Services of King County
Seattle Humane
Stafford Animal Shelter