After several years of travel throughout the country, Dawn returned to California and joined Lindsay Wildlife as an Animal Encounters volunteer in 2000.

While in Louisiana, she volunteered in the Asian section of the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans and supported animal keepers in the care of lions, tigers, and bears. Dawn also worked with elephants, camels, and several species of birds.

She became a staff member in late 2000 as an animal keeper and interpreter for a temporary Education Department exhibit, focusing on reptiles and amphibians.

In 2006, Dawn moved into the Animal Encounters Department as the animal husbandry manager. She was responsible for overseeing the medical care, husbandry, and training of Lindsay’s live collection of animal ambassadors. In 2014, Dawn became the director of animal encounters.

Along with her leadership duties at Lindsay, she is the primary state and federal permit officer for the animal ambassadors. Dawn is currently sits on the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee, an advisory committee to the Board of Supervisors.

Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, East Bay.