Meet the Team
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Joanna Lawton
Owner
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Phil Lawton
Owner
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Annabel
Owners daughter
Hi i help to look after the animals and interview the volunteers for the quarterly newsletter.
I run our social media pages and help with the general running of the office processes.
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Edward
Owners Son
Hi I mow the lawns and fields at Maynards, chop wood and help to look after the animals.
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Katy
Animal Care Supervisor
Katie is a dedicated and experienced member of our team, bringing a strong background in animal care, agriculture, and dog handling. With a solid foundation in animal welfare and practical care, she has completed extensive training across areas such as animal health, behaviour, biology, feeding, and accommodation, as well as canine handling and welfare legislation.
Her experience spans both farming and doggy daycare, where she has been involved since we first opened. Katie’s calm, confident approach and genuine love for animals shine through in everything she does, ensuring each animal receives the highest standard of care and attention.
Passionate about animal wellbeing and best practice, Katie plays a key role in supporting the daily running of our services and maintaining a safe, nurturing environment for all animals in her care.
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Lizzie
Newsletter Editor / Volunteer
Hi I’m Lizzie, I started volunteering at Maynards in 2022 after a long hospital stay for Crohn’s treatment. I was feeling anxious and struggling to get back to daily life. A family friend mentioned Maynards Sanctuary to me over coffee, as as soon as I found out about the alpacas I was sold! Since then, I’ve come to Maynards almost every weekend and my mental and physical health has improved immensely since I started. I love spending time with the animals and the quiet time in nature is extremely therapeutic. I’ve also had the opportunity to write the quarterly newsletter for Maynards. Having a space to contribute to the community and document all we do each year is really rewarding. Since I started volunteering, I’ve been able to get back to my studies at university and I feel more confident than ever.
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Kelly
Sanctuary Crew Member
Kelly joined Maynard’s Sanctuary as a volunteer in January 2024 and quickly became an invaluable part of the team. Her hard work and passion for animal care led her to transition into a staff role, where she now plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being of the sanctuary’s residents.
Kelly’s responsibilities include:
Daily feeding and care of the sanctuary animals.
Maintaining clean and comfortable living spaces to promote a healthy environment.
Monitoring the health and behaviour of the animals, ensuring any concerns are addressed promptly.
In addition to her sanctuary duties, Kelly also supports the doggy daycare, bringing over 10 years of professional experience in daycare environments. Her love for dogs shines through in her work, and she is a go-to team member for both regular care and ad-hoc sessions.
At home, Kelly shares her life with her two beloved dogs and two pet turtles, reflecting her lifelong dedication to animals. We are lucky to have her as part of the Maynard’s Sanctuary family!
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Will
Pawton’s Doggy Daycare Handler & Bushcraft Instructor
Will joined our sanctuary in January and brings a strong passion for animals, especially dogs. With hands-on experience from working in a dog grooming environment, he has handled a wide variety of breeds and temperaments, as well as his own dogs, making him well-equipped to care for our dogs at Pawton’s Doggy Daycare. He holds an enhanced DBS certification and is currently studying Forest School while also furthering his knowledge in outdoor, nature-based learning approach that encourages children to develop confidence, resilience, and practical skills in a natural environment. This involves activities like bushcraft, fire lighting, shelter building, foraging, and tool use, all while fostering teamwork, problem-solving, and a deep connection with nature. He holds an Animal Management qualification from Plumpton College, showcasing his commitment to animal welfare and care. Beyond his love for animals, Will has extensive experience teaching bushcraft skills to children. He has instructed and entertained young learners in activities such as axe throwing, knife skills, fire building, shelter making, and survival skills, ensuring both fun and safety at all times. His ability to communicate effectively with both children and teachers makes him a valuable part of our team. His combination of animal expertise and outdoor education skills makes him a fantastic asset to our sanctuary!
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Mia
Pawton’s Doggy Daycare Handler
With a natural love for animals and a calm, intuitive approach, Mia brings both experience and warmth to the team. Having worked in a busy kennel environment for the past two years, they are confident caring for dogs of all breeds, temperaments, and needs.
Their experience also includes volunteering at a cat sanctuary in Cambodia, giving them a broader understanding of animal care in different settings.
Friendly, reliable, and attentive, Mia has a strong background in customer service, helping build trust with both animals and their owners. Their ability to quickly connect with dogs and create a calm, positive environment makes them a valuable asset to Pawton’s Doggy Daycare.
They are passionate about ensuring every dog feels safe, settled, and well cared for during their time with us
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Sophie
Pawton’s Doggy Daycare Handler
Sophie is a key member of the team, bringing both hands-on experience and a natural confidence with dogs of all breeds and temperaments. Having worked as a dog walker and progressed into an Assistant Manager role, she is highly capable in managing group dynamics, ensuring safety, and keeping everything running smoothly.
Her role has involved supervising team members, managing bookings and customer communication, and maintaining strong relationships with clients. Sophie’s calm, organised approach and attention to detail make her a reliable and trusted presence within the team.
Friendly, approachable, and passionate about animal care, Sophie is a real asset to Pawton’s Doggy Daycare, helping ensure every dog is safe, happy, and well cared for.
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Jo
Pawton’s Doggy Daycare Handler
Jo is a caring and dependable member of our team, combining her love for animals with hands-on experience in both animal care and farm work. Her background as a farm hand has given her a strong understanding of animal behaviour, welfare, and daily care routines across a variety of species.
Having owned dogs all her life, Jo is deeply passionate about their wellbeing and brings that same care and dedication to every dog she looks after. She is also Canine First Aid trained, ensuring the safety and comfort of all dogs in her care.
Her calm nature, practical skills, and genuine love for animals make Jo a trusted and valued part of our daycare team.
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Alex
Maynards Sanctuary
Farm Hand
Alex is a responsible and enthusiastic member of the Maynards Sanctuary team, bringing a wealth of hands-on experience in farming and livestock care. Having worked for several years at a family-run dairy farm in Kent, Alex developed strong practical skills in animal husbandry, machinery operation, and land maintenance.
His experience includes managing the welfare and feeding of cattle and calves, operating farm machinery , maintaining fences and structures, and ensuring high standards of safety and animal welfare.
His attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to responsible farming make him a valued and reliable part of our team.
His dedication to learning, teamwork, and the outdoors shines through in all he does at Maynards Sanctuary.