Mckenzi Taylor Mikus
Richmond Heights,MO
Summary
I am currently working as a manager for St. Louis County Animal Care and Control. I have 7 years of experience working in the animal field, 2 years of experience in shelter med (vaccinating, bandaging, administering medication, Sub Q fluids, etc.) and assisting in spay neuter surgeries. 3 years management experience and 8 years of experience working in customer service and with the public. I am a hard working and determined individual seeking new and exciting job opportunities to further my career in the animal field. Willing to relocate: Anywhere
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Animal Control Manager
St. Louis County Department of Public Health
04.2024 - Current
- Oversee a team of 30+ Animal Control Officers and kennel staff, ensuring smooth intake operations and high standards of animal care.
- Manage the intake process for all animals, including documentation, data entry, medical intake, and evaluation of behavior and health.
- Maintain and update shelter management software, ensuring accurate and current records for all animals in the facility.
- Monitor population levels and assist in animal population management strategies to maintain shelter flow and welfare standards.
- Develop, implement, and train staff on intake protocols, vaccination procedures, database usage, and animal evaluation techniques.
- Support adoption center operations, engaging with the public, assessing adopter needs, and matching families with suitable pets.
- Provide problem-solving and complaint resolution for both the public and staff, assisting with employee concerns and workplace issues to support a positive team environment.
- Assist with management-level duties, including staff scheduling, performance oversight, and operational planning.
- Contribute to staff development, cross-departmental initiatives, and continuous improvements in shelter efficiency and animal welfare.
Animal Control Officer & Shelter Operations Specialist
St. Louis County Department of Public Health
06.2023 - Current
- Engage with the public daily through bite investigations, animal abuse/neglect cases, hoarding interventions, and welfare checks, collaborating with police and dispatch to ensure public and animal safety.
- Demonstrate strong crisis management skills, handling high-stress and emotionally charged situations with composure, professionalism, and efficiency.
- Perform behavioral evaluations on shelter animals, contributing to safe housing, adoption readiness, and placement success.
- Liaise with government officials and community partners to support public safety initiatives, shelter operations, and adoption outcomes.
- Facilitate the adoption process by counseling the public, matching animals with suitable homes, and promoting responsible pet ownership.
- Skilled in animal restraint, safe handling, and medical procedures, including administering vaccines, collecting blood samples, performing microscopic evaluations, and assisting veterinarians in surgery and other clinical procedures.
- Provide cross-functional support in both field operations and shelter care, ensuring humane treatment, legal compliance, and the highest standards of animal welfare.
Animal Care & Adoption Specialist / Shelter Medical Assistant
St. Charles City Animal Control
05.2022 - 06.2023
- Worked daily with the public to counsel adopters and match families with suitable pets, ensuring long-term successful placements.
- Partnered with law enforcement in cases of animal abuse and neglect, supporting investigations and promoting animal welfare.
- Provided daily care and cleaning for shelter animals, maintaining a safe and healthy environment.
- Coordinated and participated in adoption events, representing the shelter to the community and engaging with the public to increase adoption rates.
- Assisted in shelter medical operations, including administering vaccines, performing blood draws, preparing and analyzing microscope samples, giving SubQ fluids, and carrying out a variety of other medical procedures.
- Supported veterinarians in surgical procedures, ensuring proper restraint, monitoring, and post-operative care.
Head of groom shop and day care director
Traveling Tails Inn
08.2020 - 06.2022
- Oversaw daily operations of the grooming shop, maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy work environment for staff and animals.
- Created and managed itineraries, cleaning schedules, and staff meetings, driving continuous improvement in shop efficiency and service quality.
- Built and maintained meaningful relationships with clients and employees, fostering loyalty and a positive workplace culture.
- Managed the shop’s social media presence, posting daily content to engage customers and grow the business’s online visibility.
- Provided hands-on grooming services, including bathing, grooming, and simple haircuts for canine clients.
- Applied advanced training in canine behavior to identify stress signals, manage playgroups of 30-50 dogs for 8-12 hours daily, and prevent altercations.
- Prioritized the well-being of both employees and clients (human and canine), ensuring a high standard of care and customer satisfaction.
Pet Groomer Assistant
LaBest Pet Resort and Spa
12.2019 - 08.2020
- Served as the first point of contact for clients, providing friendly, professional customer service to ensure owners felt confident and comfortable leaving their pets in the facility’s care.
- Assisted in grooming services, developing hands-on skills in:
- Bathing and blow drying
- Nail trimming
- Trimming paw pads and sanitary areas
- Teeth brushing and basic oral care
- Supported daily operations by helping both clients and groomers, balancing customer interaction with animal care.
- Gained knowledge in pet health, safety, and overall well-being, applying best practices to ensure animals were cared for with compassion.
- Brought personal passion for animals (as a pet owner of 4) into the workplace, strengthening empathy and understanding in both client and animal interactions.
Waitress/Hostess
Red Lobster
05.2019 - 09.2019
- I worked as a waitress, prepared certain dishes and served customers their meals. I also ensured they were enjoying themselves all their needs were fulfilled and satisfied. I always tried to get to know my customers because it made my job extra fun and I enjoyed seeing the smiles on their faces. I also was a hostess from time to time when they needed me to fill in.
Cashier/Sales Associate
Panera Bread
05.2018 - 11.2018
- I worked up front as a cashier, as well as in drive through. I took orders, prepared food to go out, and ran the register. I also have some experience as a cook!
Education
High school diploma -
Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville, IL10.2025
Bachelor's degree - undefined
Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville, IL12.2024
Associate's degree - General education
Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville, IL12.2021
Skills
- Supervising experience (2 years)
- Management (3 years)
- Team management
- Analysis skills (2 years)
- Veterinary experience
- Customer service (9 years)
- Leadership (3 years)
- Interviewing (1 year)
- Microsoft Office (6 years)
- Critical & intensive care
- Hospital regulatory compliance
- Behavior Management (4 years)
- Animal behavior
- Communication skills (10 years)
- Healthcare financial management
- Adoption
- Veterinary clinic
- Phone etiquette
- Public health (2 years)
- Writing skills (10 years)
- Social media management
- Classroom Experience (4 years)
- Financial management
- Classroom Management (4 years)
- Patient safety
- Cashiering (3 years)
- Hospital experience
- Special Needs (2 years)
- Report writing (5 years)
- Budget management in healthcare
- Organizational skills (10 years)
- Time management
- Typing (10 years)
- Pet Care (5 years)
- Managing healthcare operations budgets
- Law enforcement (2 years)
- OSHA
- Veterinary technician experience
- Computer skills (5 years)
- Conflict management (1 year)
- Clinic experience
- Dog training
- Implementation of OSHA safety standards
- Hospital compliance
- Administrative experience
- Upselling
- Blood sampling
- Animal care (7 years)
- Teaching (6 years)
- Medical software
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 30 staff members.
- Collaborated with team of managers and supervisors in the development of St. Louis County Animal Adoption Center.
- MACA Certified.
- Fear Free Professional Certified.
Certification
- Driver's License
- MACA January 2025 to January 2027
- Certified ACO through Missouri
- Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP) June 2025 to June 2026
- Fear free certified through St. Louis County Animal Control
- RBT Certification
- First Aid Certification
- CPR Certification
Timeline
Animal Control Manager
St. Louis County Department of Public Health
04.2024 - Current
Animal Control Officer & Shelter Operations Specialist
St. Louis County Department of Public Health
06.2023 - Current
Animal Care & Adoption Specialist / Shelter Medical Assistant
St. Charles City Animal Control
05.2022 - 06.2023
Head of groom shop and day care director
Traveling Tails Inn
08.2020 - 06.2022
Pet Groomer Assistant
LaBest Pet Resort and Spa
12.2019 - 08.2020
Waitress/Hostess
Red Lobster
05.2019 - 09.2019
Cashier/Sales Associate
Panera Bread
05.2018 - 11.2018
Bachelor's degree - undefined
Southern Illinois University
Associate's degree - General education
Southern Illinois University
High school diploma -
Southern Illinois University