Only a particularly hard-hearted human could see a dog or cat in trouble and not want to help. Maybe you’d share a post on social media. Or make a donation to a shelter, or a Go-Fund Me for a pet. But would you contemplate turning your back on your current career and dedicating your professional life to saving the lives of thousands of pets?

That’s what J.T Hackett did. (J.T’s real name is Jacelyn, but everybody calls her J.T.)

J.T. Hackett, a love of animals led to becoming Executive Director of Baton Rouge Companion Animal Alliance. The Alliance takes in over 9,000 stray and abnadoned pets a year, some of which find their way into J.T’s office and home

For 12 years J.T. was co-owner of Petz Plaza, a pet-focused business that provides services like daycare, boarding, and grooming. That’s a business that’s focused on fortunate pets. In 2019, J.T turned her attention to less fortunate pets when she became the Director of Programs at Baton Rouge’s Companion Animal Alliance.

The Alliance is a shelter that takes in over 9,000 stray or abandoned animals a year. In 2024, J.T. became the organization’s Executive Director.

I mentioned that J.T was co-owner of Petz Plaza. The other co-owner of the business was her husband, Michael Hackett.

Michael Hackett, a cancer diagnosis led to a professional life re-evaluation and the formation of Hackett Consulting, helping non-profits to do well by doing good

When the Hacketts sold the business to private equity, Michael turned his attention to other successful ventures. Among them, he bought into The Main Squeeze – a juice franchise that started life in Lake Charles and now has stores spread across the country.

In 2021 Michael decided to turn his expertise at business into a business. He founded a consulting company specializing in branding, public relations, business development and community outreach. The company is simply called Hackett Consulting and its wide range of clients include Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge, Our Lady of the Lake, a local automobile dealership, a mortgage lender, a concierge nursing group, and The Baton Rouge Area Chamber.

What is as remarkable as the scope of these businesses is the fact that when a company hires Hackett Consulting they get Michael Hackett. He is the company.

J.T Hackett, Nathan from Mansurs, Oscar Tickle, Michael Hackett, Out to Lunch at Mansurs on the Boulevard

There are a lot of variations to marriage. There are couples whose marriage is a mystery, who seem to have nothing in common. At the other end of the spectrum there are couples like the Hacketts, who seem to have everything going for them.

Typically, we have guests on this show who don’t know each other. We invite people to lunch who we think would get along, and could benefit professionally from knowing each other.Today we’ve worked backwards. We knew you J.T. and Michael get along, and that they benefit professionally from knowing each other. What we didn’t know is that their dedication – not just to each other and to business success, but to higher ideals and to Baton Rouge – is inspiring.

Out to Lunch is recorded live over lunch at Mansurs on the Boulevard. Photos by Ian Ledo and Miranda Albarez.