Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Adoption Coordinator Jenny Lynne Campanilla is a “hometown” member of the Wolf Trap Animal Rescue Team. 

Jenny has always been interested in dogs, even calling it her “obsession.” As a kid, she bought an encyclopedia of dog breeds, and it took her less than a month not only to memorize all the breeds, but also to be able to identify those breeds in the dogs she would see in real life! This quickly evolved into an ongoing game of “Name that Dog Breed” with Jenny’s family and friends. 

Jenny got her first dog when she was 13, and at 16 she naturally started working at a veterinary clinic. Since then, she has always worked with animals. While studying Biology at George Mason University, she saw WTAR’s early need for fosters, so she applied. The rest, as they say, is history! She began working as Dr. Burton’s Veterinary Assistant and Adoption Coordinator, so chances are if you’ve worked with our organization at all – from volunteering, to fostering, to adopting – you've talked to Jenny! 

In addition to Bentley and Leo (the two dogs that were a part of Jenny’s life before she came to WTAR), she has FOUR other pups! This includes the very first dog she adopted as a rescue. And we can’t forget about the geriatric pregnant shih-tzu that she adopted from Wolf Trap Animal Rescue. Jenny wanted to give this dog the very best life possible during her golden years, and after one of her puppies passed away, Jenny decided to keep the other two as well. She has started with two tattoos on her way to a sleeve of all of her dogs’ paw prints. It’s safe to say that her childhood love of dogs is still going strong! 

Her human family is just as impressive. She and her younger sister have aunts, uncles, and cousins all over the world: in the Philippines, Hawaii, Alaska, Texas, California, Arizona, Europe, and Guam - just to name a few places. 

If you can believe that Jenny has “spare time” outside of the amazing work she does for WTAR, you might find her teaching piano. She has played since she was three and has taught since she was sixteen. Certainly, if you’ve talked to her at all, then you probably know that she absolutely loves the Washington Capitals. You can spot her at Caps practices and games whenever she gets the chance. 

And, of course, it’s just as likely that you’ll hear Jenny before you see her. In Jenny’s own words, “I have no inside voice.” 

Fun Fact: She is also known as the “Neonatal Expert” at WTAR, and is the personal handler of the famous WTAR Arthur the Intern.