{"id":11045,"date":"2025-02-14T10:11:31","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T17:11:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westjordan.utah.gov\/?p=11045"},"modified":"2025-02-14T10:11:32","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T17:11:32","slug":"a-pawsitively-big-honor-west-jordans-dan-eatchel-wins-animal-control-officer-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westjordan.utah.gov\/newsroom\/2025\/02\/a-pawsitively-big-honor-west-jordans-dan-eatchel-wins-animal-control-officer-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"A Pawsitively Big Honor: West Jordan\u2019s Dan Eatchel Wins Animal Control Officer of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Drumroll please!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Animal Control Officer of the Year award goes to \u2026 our very own Dan Eatchel, Manager of West Jordan Animal Services!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officer Eatchel has been growing our Animal Services department for 22 years. He started just before we opened our shelter doors in 2002. He helped shape Animal Services into what it is today \u2013 an organization that brings over 2,000 animals through its doors each year, rescues all kinds of animals from ducks in a storm drain to raccoons stuck in car engines, spays, neuters and vaccinates feral cats, and finds forever homes for countless dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The current staff consists of six people, plus Eatchel. Amanda Scott, Jenna Morgan, and Tyler Sorenson serve as Animal Control Officers, Jaanai Ramos, Callie France manage the Shelter front desk and phone line, Mohammed Abouhassan is learning the ropes as an officer in training. Each team member has a love of animals, many having worked in other pet industries before joining the shelter team. They have rescued pets of their own, and love the interaction with humans and animals alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scott nominated Dan for his exceptional work to protect humans and animals alike in the city. \u201cI felt like Dan deserved the award because he has devoted so much of his life to this career and to the animals,\u201d Scott explained. \u201cHe is an extremely hard worker. He rarely has a chance to sit and breathe. He is passionate about his work and is an asset to the city.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eatchel has secured charges against animal neglect and abuse cases, increased the staff and capabilities of the department, obtained a \u201cno-kill\u201d status for the shelter, found new resources to help spay and neuter animals that are up for adoption, and is now working to get new floors in the shelter kennels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ian S. Williams, President of the Utah Animal Control Officers Association, said there are many ways to be a good animal control officer, but an exceptional one will go above and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cAn award-winning officer leaves a lasting impact on both their community and the field of animal control, often serving as a role model and leader in their profession,\u201d Williams said. \u201cI believe Officer Eatchel has, over the course of his career, exemplified these standards and was the very deserving recipient of our Officer of the Year in the State of Utah recognition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does Animal Control do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n