Dessie Knox
Memphis,TN
Summary
Animal husbandry professional with 8+ years of experience in laboratory, shelter, and wildlife environments, specializing in regulatory compliance, animal welfare, and staff training. Proven leader with experience instructing and mentoring teams, improving workplace culture, and optimizing operations. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business with a goal of advancing into operations management.
Overview
1
1
Certification
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Animal Husbandry Technician
UTHSC
Memphis, TN
10.2025 - Current
- Execute daily husbandry tasks, ensuring animal welfare.
- Observe and document health issues in animals to ensure timely veterinary intervention.
- Support research procedures by adhering to strict ethical guidelines, contributing to integrity of findings.
Animal Care Technician
Bartlett Animal Shelter
Bartlett, TN
08.2024 - 10.2025
- Facilitated animal intake and adoption processes by conducting health assessments, behavioral observations, and maintaining accurate records in shelter management software, enhancing overall adoption efficiency.
- Supported veterinary procedures by safely restraining animals and preparing treatment areas.
- Informed potential adopters about animal care requirements, promoting responsible placements that contribute to long-term welfare of adopted animals.
- Coordinated with animal control officers and rescue partners to streamline transfers and adoptions, enhancing community outreach efforts and increasing adoption rates.
Wildlife Specialist
Apex Wildlife Control, LLC
Bartlett, TN
10.2023 - 08.2024
- Humane Animal Capture and Trapping – Raccoons, Opossums, Squirrels, Flying Squirrels, Mice, Rats, Snakes, Feral Cats.
- Conducted wildlife assessments to identify species and evaluate environmental impact.
- Inspected properties to locate, trap, and exclude animals breaching homes and commercial properties; scheduled and coordinated appointments for effective intervention.
Instructor- Lab Animal Science
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
Memphis, TN
11.2016 - 05.2022
- Integrated academic and industry skills to equip students with diverse competencies in animal health care; refined and planned curricula to enhance learning outcomes.
- Conducted on-the-job training classes to teach methods of animal caretaking, demonstrating techniques and assessing student progress through tests.
- Trained and prepared students for entry-level animal caretaker positions, emphasizing skills specific to laboratory animals.
- Coordinate and supervise training sites and projects throughout city; advise students on course selection and career decisions.
Husbandry Technician, ABSL II, Cage Wash, ALAT I
UTHSC
Memphis, TN
08.2015 - 11.2016
- Performed husbandry tasks in animal biosafety levels 1 and 2, applying micro-isolation techniques to prevent cross-contamination and promote animal health.
Animal Care Student Worker & Volunteer
Memphis Animal Shelter, Humane Society, University of Memphis
Memphis, TN
09.2014 - 08.2015
- Sanitized, disinfected, and sterilized animal care areas and loading facilities to control disease spread.
Education
Bachelor of Business -
LeMoyne Owen College – ASAP
Memphis, TN12-2026
Associates of Science -
LeMoyne Owen College
Memphis, TN12-2023
Assistant Animal Laboratory Technician -
TCAT- Memphis
Memphis, TN08-2015
Skills
- Laboratory Animal Care & Husbandry
- Animal care
- Animal handling
- Health monitoring
- Health assessments
- Disease prevention
- Animal behavior observation
- Animal welfare
- Biosafety standards
- Regulatory compliance
- Data Collection & Reporting
- Workflow optimization
- Task Management
- Team leadership
- Safety and health precautions
Certification
- Wildlife Damage Control Operations- TWRA
- TN Department of Agriculture- FEMA- Emergency Disaster Response
- Workplace Certificate Program – Level I (in progress or completed)
- CITI Program Training: Human Research Social and Behavioral Research Investigators and Key Personnel – Meharry Medical College
Additional Information
Strong advocate for ethical animal treatment and inclusive workplace environments, Experienced in high-pressure environments requiring attention to detail, Open to leadership and operations management opportunities
References
Available upon request
Leadership Projects
- Developed and implemented staff feedback surveys to improve workplace culture
- Assisted in creating operational improvement plans for HVAC and environmental control systems
- Participated in training initiatives to improve staff performance and retention
- Community Compassion in the City of Memphis with Sycamore View Church
Timeline
Animal Husbandry Technician
UTHSC
10.2025 - Current
Animal Care Technician
Bartlett Animal Shelter
08.2024 - 10.2025
Wildlife Specialist
Apex Wildlife Control, LLC
10.2023 - 08.2024
Instructor- Lab Animal Science
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
11.2016 - 05.2022
Husbandry Technician, ABSL II, Cage Wash, ALAT I
UTHSC
08.2015 - 11.2016
Animal Care Student Worker & Volunteer
Memphis Animal Shelter, Humane Society, University of Memphis
09.2014 - 08.2015
Bachelor of Business -
LeMoyne Owen College – ASAP
Associates of Science -
LeMoyne Owen College
Assistant Animal Laboratory Technician -
TCAT- Memphis