Jodi Lytle Buckman

Vice President of Veterinary Services

As a college student, Jodi Buckman planned to attend veterinary school, but she was offered a job leading a shelter in Maine shortly after graduating, and she never looked back. The Dumb Friends League is excited that Jodi joined our team as Vice President of Veterinary Services in March 2020.

Jodi earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Macalester College, achieved Certified Animal Welfare Administrator status from the Society for Animal Welfare Advancement in 2004 and received an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School in the spring of 2020.  She’s worked in sheltering for 30 years–at both the local and national levels.

The “why” Jodi does this work has always been the animals, with the extraordinary bonus of working with the compassionate, thoughtful and intelligent people who are brought to this work as colleagues, staff, board members, volunteers and supporters.

Having worked closely with the veterinary community in a variety of ways over the course of her career, Jodi is excited to be joining veterinary services. “Our staff is incredible,” said Jodi. “I learn a lot from them every day and enjoy working with the team to build on our strengths.  By diving deeply into the work and asking my favorite question - why? - along the way, we can affirm what we do or decide to change it up.  It is humbling to be a part of this organization and a build upon it’s incredible commitment of service and support for pets and their people!”

Jodi shares her home with two dogs. Owen, a 3-year-old Bernese mix adopted from the League in 2017, who is a master thief. No counter is too tall or deep for him to conquer if a food prize awaits. And there’s Ollie, a 2-year-old Samoyed who is ALL floof, whom she adopted from the ASPCA following a puppy mill cruelty case in 2018. Jodi said that Ollie isn’t particularly bright but is nearly always joyful. In her spare time, Jodi enjoys spending time with her pups and college-age kids Sam and Zoë, camping, road-tripping, hunting the best craft beer in the United States and working with her hands knitting, crocheting, embroidery and quilting.