Meet Karin McElhatton
Karin McElhatton has dedicated her career to helping animals succeed in the entertainment industry while ensuring their health, safety, and well-being always come first. As the founder of Studio Animal Services, she has earned the trust of productions by combining decades of experience with a genuine passion for animals and a practical understanding of filmmaking.
A Lifelong Passion
Karin's love for animals inspired her to build a career where training, compassion, and creativity come together. What began as a passion has grown into a company recognized for providing professional animal talent for feature films, television, commercials, print campaigns, music videos, and live events.
Rescue Is at the Heart of SAS
One of Karin's greatest passions is animal rescue. A large portion of the Studio Animal Services roster consists of rescued animals that she has personally rehabilitated, socialized, and trained. Watching rescued animals develop the confidence to work successfully on set remains one of the most rewarding parts of her career.
A Training Philosophy Built on Trust
Karin believes great performances come from trust — not fear. Every animal is trained using patience, consistency, positive reinforcement, and an understanding that each animal learns differently. This philosophy creates confident animal actors while maintaining the highest standards of welfare.
A Career Built on Experience
Throughout her career, Karin has overseen animal training and coordination for hundreds of productions, including major motion pictures, television series, national advertising campaigns, Super Bowl commercials, print projects, and live events. She enjoys working collaboratively with directors, producers, photographers, agencies, and creative teams to help turn ambitious ideas into successful productions.
Looking Ahead
More than four decades after founding Studio Animal Services, Karin remains actively involved in every aspect of the company. Her commitment to rescue, humane training, professionalism, and exceptional client service continues to shape the company's future and the reputation it has built throughout the entertainment industry.
