A Chance to Show and Grow
“It really set me up for success,” said Karl Meier. “After struggling with drugs, I had troubles with dental hygiene and consistent job experience. This gave me the chance to show my work ethic instead of being stereotyped by appearance.”
Grant County Animal Outreach (GCAO) partnered with SkillSource to develop an On-the-Job Training pathway that put new skills directly into Karl’s hands to develop him into the employee they really needed. Karl immersed himself into the training required for animal care and daily operations — learning to handle and socialize animals, maintain clean and safe spaces, manage feeding schedules, and assist with adoption events that connected pets with new families.
“Karl has shown every animal at GCAO nothing but compassion and love, and given every team member a helping hand whenever it was needed,” said his supervisor. “His kindness, dedication, and genuine heart have been a great addition to our team — and to our shelter pets.”
Through On-the-Job Training, Karl gained essential skills that have made him an indispensable contributor to Grant County Animal Outreach. He has rebuilt confidence, found community, and continues to make a difference every day.
Thank you to GCAO for partnering with us to develop strong, local talent like Karl, and congratulations to Karl on a job well done!
