Barbara is a life long animal lover. Early in life, she couldn’t stand to go to “the pound” because she was haunted and overwhelmed by the number of animals and knowing that many of them wouldn’t get out alive. The highlight of her professional career and the accomplishment that means the most to her is reducing the euthanasia rate by an incredible 86% while Director of the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department. Her focus and dedication to animals helped her to stubbornly resist and overcome the idea that it was ok to euthanize over 10,000 animals per year.