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OUR STORY
Safe in Austin's story began long before the barn, the livestock, or the land,
but with a dog appropriately named Angel.
Our family had always loved animals, and it wasn't until she joined our pack, that we would understand just how miraculous the love of an animal could be!
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At a time when my son was struggling the most with his Autism,
into our lives came our discount superhero dog.
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When we found her, Angel was deemed untrainable and was featured at a deep discount.
We'd soon come to find that Angel just needed a family to embrace her true potential to thrive.
She would become our son's Autism Service Dog, the dog who would change our world.
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Right before our eyes and without question, she provided protection from his fears,
she was a friend to cuddle through the tears, and she gave him a new found confidence.
But, most importantly, he now had power over his disabilities.
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Angel was a miracle who transformed our lives with unconditional love,
and in her honor we live our lives as a judgement free zone!
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In 2014 we purchased a run down ranch and have been ever-renovating to accommodate a safe haven for the broken, abused, neglected, and forgotten animals who continue to give us hope.
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Healing can be hard and scary, but animals can show us the way!
- Jamie Wallace-Griner, Founder
WHAT WE DO
Safe in Austin rescues animals who suffer from abuse or neglect,
because animals deserve to experience unconditional love.
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​Once our new rescues are healthy and trusting enough,
they'll be introduced to people with similar backgrounds to provide healing and hope.
We consider all of our rescues as our partners who help us offer a safe and judgement free space filled with unconditional love.
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We have several programs that focus on the children who come to us for healing.
No one who comes to us for healing is ever charged a fee, as Jamie says "Love shouldn't cost a thing".
MEET THE TEAM
Jamie Wallace
Founder/President
Jamie Wallace’s journey began with a passion for dance, leading her from Kansas to East Texas for a successful audition with the Kilgore College Rangerettes in August 1998. After two years of dancing and traveling with the prestigious team, Jamie moved to Austin, where she transitioned to a fulfilling career as a dance instructor and fell in love with the city’s diversity and community spirit.
The birth of Jamie’s three children within three years brought new challenges and opportunities. As a special needs mother, Jamie developed the Strawlution Straw and became deeply engaged in understanding neurodivergence. Her lifelong dedication to caregiving and her innate empathy prepared her well for this new role.
The pivotal moment in Jamie’s journey came when a service dog, named Angel, entered her son, Jackson’s, life. Angel healed parts of Jackson’s heart that Jamie, as his mother, could not reach, and instantly inspired the idea of “rescue animals, rescuing children.”
Jamie’s exceptional listening skills and unique “magic touch” with children in need have been central to shaping the supportive and nurturing environment at Safe in Austin. Her ongoing education, including attending conferences on Dissociative Identity Disorder (often a significant result of severe childhood trauma), complements her hands-on experience. This blend of knowledge and practice allows Jamie to continually refine and enhance the services offered by Safe in Austin.
Karen Shives
Secretary
Karen Shives is a dedicated mother of two and grandmother of five. Her professional career spans over 30 years in the insurance and wholesale industries, where she excelled as a manager overseeing claims and customer service for major insurance companies and later leading a team of 32 at the Gerson Company.
Upon retiring, Karen shifted her focus to supporting her daughter, Jamie’s, vision by joining Safe in Austin Rescue Ranch. As Secretary, Karen plays a crucial role in operations, handling donor acknowledgments, assisting with events, and supporting animal care and reporting.
Witnessing the growth from a handful of animals to over 200 has been both challenging and inspiring. Her daughter’s creation of a sanctuary rooted in love, patience, and second chances reflects Karen’s own values, making her work at Safe in Austin both heartwarming and rewarding.
Lyssa Harper
Healing Hearts Program Coordinator
Lyssa Harper holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas State University, with a focus on Language Studies and Social Sciences, and a minor in Social Work. With nine years of experience as a public school teacher, including three years as a behavior specialist, Lyssa is well-versed in trauma-informed practices, having worked twice at a nationally recognized Capturing Kids’ Hearts campus and participated in annual trauma-informed teacher training.
In the spring of 2021, Lyssa began her role at Safe in Austin, overseeing all children's services. Later that year, she founded Sunset Society, starting with seven children and expanding to offer comprehensive programs including the Healing Hearts Animal Care Program, field trips, and summer camps. For Lyssa, Sunset Society represents a deeply personal commitment to creating safe and nurturing environments for children, fulfilling a vision she couldn’t fully realize in her previous teaching role.
Lisa Degani
Office Manager/Volunteer Coordinator
Lisa Degani’s background in volunteering on a horse and cattle farm shaped her early aspirations to establish a nonprofit focused on rescuing animals and supporting at-risk children. She began volunteering at Safe in Austin in March 2018 and quickly developed a deep commitment to its mission, the team, and the animals. Having relocated without friends or family nearby, Safe in Austin became her new home. Lisa is also a devoted mother to a son with autism. Through Safe in Austin, she has found a supportive, non-judgmental environment that has not only enhanced her parenting skills but also helped her son build confidence in a world that can be challenging for those who are neurodivergent.