While born in Georgia, Charnita has been a DC resident since the age of 5. She has always been surrounded by animals as she was raised by a family full of animal lovers. Naturally, she has a genuine concern for all creatures and can’t ever remember not being an advocate for animals. Following high school she had her mind set on becoming a Registered Nurse, but took a different path and became a Certified Veterinary Assistant and has been working in veterinary offices and animal welfare organizations (the Washington Humane Society and the Animal Welfare League of Arlington) ever since.  While employed with WHS now Washington Animal Rescue Alliance she started as an Animal Caretaker and then moved on to manage the Front Desk/Dispatch for DC Animal Control. Previously employed with AWLA she started as an Animal Care Technician, a short stay in the Adoptions department as an Adoption Counselor, and then returning to the kennels as the Manager of Animal Care. Though she has left the animal world a few times she always returns.