Flagler Humane Society watches out for its employees too

Unlike many of those in her support group, Christen Brautigan has been able to keep her job after medical issues.

By Jacque Estes
| 11:17 a.m. June 13, 2017

Christen Brautigan and Amy Carotenuto give some kittens some special attention. Brautigan said she feels blessed to have a job and to be able to take care of herself after a double mastectomy last year. Photo by Jacque Estes

Chewy, 13167023, is a 6-year-old female cat, available at Flagler Humane Society. Courtesy photo

Harold, 35264602, is a 14-year-old male boxer/hound mix, available at Flagler Humane Society. Courtesy photo.

Jackson,14438326, is a 6-year-old male shepherd mix, available at Flagler Humane Society. Courtesy photo.

Sissy, 35341865, is a 3-year-old female Russian Blue mix cat, available at Flagler Humane Society. Courtesy photo

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One year ago Christen Brautigan had a double mastectomy. The year before that she had started working at the Flagler Humane Society, a decision that helped her with the recovery road ahead of her.

“After my surgery I couldn’t do any physical activity, not carry a bag of food or even walk the dogs on a leash,” Brautigan said.

Brautigan first came to the Flagler Humane Society as an intern as part of her veterinary assistant certification requirements. She was thrilled when Executive Director Amy Carotenuto asked her if she wanted a full time job.

Humane societies are, by definition, supposed to offer humane treatment and FHS has taken this beyond the dogs and cats to include their employees.

“We are a family and like families we might not always agree, but we always look out for each other,” Carotenuto said. “The humane society may not pay a great amount of money (in salary) but we try to make it up by helping people out.”

Brautigan was given a temporary change of duty and started working at the front desk, but as soon as her doctor gave her the green light to resume activity she took him at his word – again with Carotenuto’s help.

“I wanted to do what I could to be able to be back to normal,” Brautigan said, who said she immediately looked into an exercise program, 24 Fit Beach.

The St. Augustine resident was more than ready to work out on St. Augustine Beach at 6:30 a.m. three times a week but knew it was unlikely she would be able to make it to work by her scheduled 8:30 a.m. starting time.

Carotenuto not only approved her request to alter her start time to 9 a.m., she also drove up from her home in Ormond Beach for one session to work out with her employee.

Brautigan’s exuberance is contagious and completely masks the fact she had to have a major operation just 12 months ago.

“I have lost 23 pounds in the past two months,” she said proudly. “I am the most blessed person in my support group because of Amy.”

Carotenuto said she does her best to accommodate her employees.

“I want to try and make life easier for the staff,” Carotenuto said. “If they are happy they are more productive and it’s happier for the animals too.”