54 min

Dr Steven Hansen with Arizona Humane Society and Paula Little with Banfield Foundation 3C Amplified

    • Non-Profit

Listen Now

As a sector, animal welfare is changing rapidly and the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) is leading the movement as Arizona’s premiere animal welfare organization. Community-wide, euthanasia is down a whopping 86 percent and the number of pets saved and rehabilitated is at an all-time high thanks to AHS and its strategic collaborations with other organizations.

AHS serves as the safety net for the community’s most vulnerable pets. AHS saves lives through some of the most innovative programs in the country: aggressive spay/neuter initiatives; comprehensive medical care in AHS’ Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital and intensive care units; rescue and cruelty investigations by AHS’ Emergency Animal Medical Technicians; and a Pet Resource Center that helps keep pets in loving homes.

Saving lives through innovative services costs more every year, and the life of every pet saved is the direct result of gifts from thousands of friends, partners and donors. Through innovation, compassion and excellence, AHS saves the most vulnerable animals and enriches the lives of pets and people.

As the Arizona Humane Society’s top dog, Dr. Steven R. Hansen oversees AHS’ organizational operations and leads the implementation and execution of its strategic plan as AHS and its partners transform Maricopa County into one of the best places to be a pet.

By leveraging innovation, compassion and excellence, AHS has collaboratively led transformational change within its own shelter, leading to a dramatic reduction in euthanasia (two paws up from our pets!) and a renewed focus on treating the sick, injured and abused animals who need AHS’ help the most.

Prior to joining AHS, Dr. Hansen spent 16 years with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), most recently as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Hansen also served as Director of Veterinary Research and Support for Wellmark International and practiced clinical veterinary medicine in Houston and Chicago.

He serves on a variety of mission-critical boards, including the Hill’s Shelter Advisory Board, the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Legislative Advisory Committee, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, the American College of Animal Welfare and Arizona State University’s Community Advisory Council.

Dr. Hansen received his BS and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Iowa State University and received an MS and MBA from the University of Illinois. Dr. Hansen is board certified by the American College of Animal Welfare and the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology.

Follow Arizona Humane Society on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.



At the core of the Banfield Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the belief that all pets deserve access to veterinary care. In support of this belief, the foundation funds programs that enable veterinary care, elevate the power of the human-animal bond, provide disaster relief for pets, and advance the science of veterinary medicine through fostering innovation and education.

It also leverages the expertise and passion of Banfield Pet Hospital associates to care for pets in need. At the Banfield Foundation, we are committed to making a better world for pets because they make a better world for us.

As Director of Development for the Banfield Foundation,

Listen Now

As a sector, animal welfare is changing rapidly and the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) is leading the movement as Arizona’s premiere animal welfare organization. Community-wide, euthanasia is down a whopping 86 percent and the number of pets saved and rehabilitated is at an all-time high thanks to AHS and its strategic collaborations with other organizations.

AHS serves as the safety net for the community’s most vulnerable pets. AHS saves lives through some of the most innovative programs in the country: aggressive spay/neuter initiatives; comprehensive medical care in AHS’ Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital and intensive care units; rescue and cruelty investigations by AHS’ Emergency Animal Medical Technicians; and a Pet Resource Center that helps keep pets in loving homes.

Saving lives through innovative services costs more every year, and the life of every pet saved is the direct result of gifts from thousands of friends, partners and donors. Through innovation, compassion and excellence, AHS saves the most vulnerable animals and enriches the lives of pets and people.

As the Arizona Humane Society’s top dog, Dr. Steven R. Hansen oversees AHS’ organizational operations and leads the implementation and execution of its strategic plan as AHS and its partners transform Maricopa County into one of the best places to be a pet.

By leveraging innovation, compassion and excellence, AHS has collaboratively led transformational change within its own shelter, leading to a dramatic reduction in euthanasia (two paws up from our pets!) and a renewed focus on treating the sick, injured and abused animals who need AHS’ help the most.

Prior to joining AHS, Dr. Hansen spent 16 years with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), most recently as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Hansen also served as Director of Veterinary Research and Support for Wellmark International and practiced clinical veterinary medicine in Houston and Chicago.

He serves on a variety of mission-critical boards, including the Hill’s Shelter Advisory Board, the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Legislative Advisory Committee, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, the American College of Animal Welfare and Arizona State University’s Community Advisory Council.

Dr. Hansen received his BS and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Iowa State University and received an MS and MBA from the University of Illinois. Dr. Hansen is board certified by the American College of Animal Welfare and the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology.

Follow Arizona Humane Society on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.



At the core of the Banfield Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the belief that all pets deserve access to veterinary care. In support of this belief, the foundation funds programs that enable veterinary care, elevate the power of the human-animal bond, provide disaster relief for pets, and advance the science of veterinary medicine through fostering innovation and education.

It also leverages the expertise and passion of Banfield Pet Hospital associates to care for pets in need. At the Banfield Foundation, we are committed to making a better world for pets because they make a better world for us.

As Director of Development for the Banfield Foundation,

54 min