About Jenna

Jenna is a rare talent in animal care What sets Jen apart isn’t just her skill, it’s the sheer range of animals she’s earned the trust of, and how differently she approaches each one. At the sanctuary in Banner Elk, I watched her work with a wild kestrel that had every reason to distrust humans. She didn’t rush the bird or force interaction. She read its body language, respected its space, and let trust build entirely on the kestrel’s terms Over many months. That kind of restraint takes real discipline. Most people want to see progress on their own timeline, not the animal’s. Then there’s Luna, the young pit bull she worked with, who came in labeled as “aggressive” before Jen ever got the chance to prove otherwise. She saw past the reputation and the reactivity to what was actually going on … a pup that needed structure, patience, and someone willing to stay consistent even on the hard days. She didn’t give up when progress was slow, and she didn’t take shortcuts that might have masked problems instead of solving them. Watching that sweet pup go from fearful and defensive to genuinely chilled around people was a testament to her tenacity as much as her patience and sheer competency.