Meet Our Team
These dedicated folks continue to work diligently to further expand our circle of compassion.
Dr. Andie Thompkins, Executive Director
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Hi, I'm Andie! I grew up in Newnan, Georgia. I completed my education at Auburn University with a doctorate in Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, having studied animal cognition and the dog-human bond. My passion for animals guided me to go vegan nearly a decade ago and years later, I found myself further called to help animals when I met an orphaned squirrel named Stash. I have volunteered and worked in the non-profit sector on behalf of animals for many years.
I enjoy spending time with family, including my husband-to-be, Adam, and Ripley, our Great Pyrenees. I can often be found exploring nature with my family and also reading cookbooks as if they were novels. |
Kayla Swope, Animal Care Manager
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Hello, my name is Kayla Swope. I've been at FCFS since November of 2017. My job is to supervise animal caregivers, and oversee all animal care related items to assure all the animal residents are being well taken care of. A lot of my job involves medical care, including performing fecals, drawing blood, and doing routine physical exams.
I'm originally from Pennsylvania, where I spent many years working at a cat and dog rescue. Most of my life I've been involved in fostering kittens and puppies. I finally became vegan in 2011, and started to become more interested in helping farm animals. In 2016, I interned as an animal caregiver at Animal Place, in California, which eventually led me to start working here at Full Circle. I currently reside right in Warm Springs with my dog, Bentlee, my pig Nora, and my cat, Callie. |
Amy Morton, Lead Animal Caregiver
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My name is Amy, and I’m the lead animal caregiver for Full Circle Farm Sanctuary. I work with the other caregivers to feed, clean, and provide medical care to all of our rescued residents. My journey to veganism started a few years ago with my decision to go vegetarian. Step by step I cut out all animal products, and it’s been one of the most rewarding transformations of my life. I’ve been totally vegan for just over a year now. I’m from Georgia, and currently live with my house full of six personal rescues which includes a dog, two cats, a ferret, and two rats.
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Andrew O'Donnell, Animal Caregiver
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Hi, my name is Andrew. I am a graduate of Oregon State University with a Bachelor’s degree in zoology. Having been obsessed with animals my whole life, I decided to go vegan in January 2017 and pursue a career in the field of animal rights/advocacy, bringing me to FCFS. I moved from Oregon with my animal/insect family, which includes snakes, lizards, and even a cockroach. My other interests include basketball, exploring, music, and Marvel.
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Carley Pasquale, Animal Caregiver
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Hi, my name is Carley! I am originally from Western Pennsylvania and just moved to Georgia for this amazing job at FCFS! I have loved animals since I was very young. My cat, Hyde, was my inspiration to save animals. Though Hyde wasn't the friendliest cat to most, he immediately became my best friend. Hyde showed me that all animals are worth saving no matter the personality and no matter the species!
My animal experience ranges from amphibians to sea lions; I spent a long time learning veterinary skills at a mobile vet clinic for cats and dogs, and worked with wildlife rehabilitation. I am especially interested in enrichment activities for animals and am working on creating a program for FCFS. Coming to FCFS made my dream of working with farmed animals true and I am so happy to be a part of the FCFS family! |
Emma Fobean, Animal Caregiver
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Hi, my name is Emma! I am from Northeast Ohio and moved to Georgia for my position at FCFS. I have a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Creative Writing, Visual Art, and Language from Stonehill College. I volunteered with several different farm animal sanctuaries starting in 2013 and interned with Farm Sanctuary in 2017. I have been vegan for seven years and enjoy writing, baking, and crafting. Two of my favorite things are watching chickens eat fruit and giving pigs belly rubs!
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Erin Tompkins, Animal Caregiver
Hi, I'm Erin. I have been vegan for about 10 years. My journey started at Auburn University, majoring in Animal Sciences: Production & Management with a focus on Equine Studies. In this program, I learned all about the evils of the animal ag industry straight from the horse's mouth, as it were. Although my personal focus was horses, the program required me to learn about the production of pigs, cattle, sheep and goats as well. What I learned started me thinking. After I graduated, I interned and then worked full time at Zoo Atlanta. During that time, I worked with lions, tigers, rhinos, giraffes and others ... but it was the petting zoo goats who turned me vegetarian, and ultimately vegan. I ultimately left the Zoo due to ethical concerns. I wanted to participate directly in the animal rights movement and help animals, and that led me to FCFS! I am the guardian of five cats, two horses and one dog. My hobbies include art, graphic design and paranormal investigation.
Courtney Perez, Education and Outreach Manager
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Hi, my name is Courtney. I have been passionate about animals my whole life. A few years ago, I transitioned to a vegan lifestyle which lead me to FCFS in the fall of 2016. I fell in love with the animals, mission and enjoyed spending my spare time doing chores around the sanctuary.
As the Outreach and Education Coordinator for FCFS, I am responsible for partnerships with businesses, schools and various other organizations. The outreach program is focused on educating the public on veganism and the animals/work of Full Circle. I coordinate various events and activities including fundraisers, field trips, summer camp programs, social media campaigns and the volunteer program. I am originally from the greater Boston area and now live north of Atlanta, GA with my husband and six dogs Bailey, Brutus, Bambi, Benny, Rusty and Roscoe. |
Riki Higgins, Animal Caregiver / Education and Outreach Coordinator
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Hi, I am Riki! I am a former educator with a BS and MS in Special Education and taught in classrooms for 2 years. I live with a dog, a cat, and a chinchilla. I have been vegan since 2011 and am very involved in the Save Movement, attending vigils at slaughterhouses as animals are driven into the slaughterhouse to show them that there are humans who love them and care about their suffering.
Turkeys are probably my favorite farmed animals and I hope to someday be able to share my home with rescued turkeys. |
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