PARTNERS PAWS AND
Empowering and transforming the lives of people with disabilities - one dog, one person, one family, one community at a time.
A Bond Beyond Words
Porter and Knox
The Andersons have been a part of the Saint Francis family for quite some time. Dan and Candice know the profound difference a service dog makes. They have experienced the transformative power of loving a dog that is not only an adored part of their family, but a life-changing partner for their son, Porter.
When Porter was just six years old, he was matched with his first Saint Francis Service Dog, Fedor. Porter relied on Fedor in so many ways –from help with stability while walking or climbing up and down stairs, to picking up dropped items, or alerting someone if Porter needed help. The Andersons also saw how having a calm and supportive partner changed how Porter interacted with others. (continued)
“Our guiding principles steer us on our journey to change the world for people with disabilities.”
A message from Cabell
The puppy was only a few weeks old. The surgery was expensive and the outcome unsure. The cost-benefit analysis and practical business decision was clear – put the puppy down. There was an entire litter left to move through the program. We were advised to cut our losses.
You know this story. We did the surgery. Lion is now a Saint Francis Service Dog working in Blacksburg.
Yes, it was expensive. Yes, the outcome was touch and go, and for a long time, we were unsure he could be placed. Luckily, it worked out, but it could have just as easily gone the other way. After a big investment, Lion could have died in surgery, or ended up unable to be a service dog. We would make the same decision anyway. Why? Because one of the many things that makes Saint Francis different is that when a dog is in our care, we commit to their future, whether that means they are a service dog or not.
our executive director
That commitment to our teams reaches out to the places in which our teams live. We want the people we serve to be able to engage fully in the lives of their communities. We work hard to ensure our teams have full public access wherever they want to go. We are active in Assistance Dogs International, maintaining our accredited status for over 15 years.
But we don’t stop there. We mentor other organizations to help them on the road to accreditation themselves. We sit on the Accreditation Review Committee and serve as an Accreditation Assessor, evaluating and helping other non-profit assistance dog organizations to become and stay accredited by maintaining consistently high standards and ethical behavior.
The same is true of the people we serve – we commit to their future. Whatever their goals, we will help them rise to the challenge. We are not just there for the heady times of matching, team training, and graduation. We are there for the lifetime of the partnership. If one of our partners needs help with a new challenge for their dog, we are there. If a physical condition worsens, requiring a dog to use new tasks, we are there. If it is time for a successor dog to carry the load, we are there. We are in it for the long haul.
So, yes, you can depend on us to take good care of our dogs, take good care of our people, and to nurture the environment in which we live to make it better for people with disabilities. We are proud of our guiding principles. They steer us on our journey to change the world for people with disabilities, one dog, one person, one family, one community at a time. We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for joining us, and for believing in us to do the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest or the least expensive choice.
Porter and
Knox (cont. from cover)
“Fedor was a family member to us. He went everywhere we did and faithfully and patiently went along with whatever we did. His gentle, selfless, kind attitude, and personality were examples to us and to Porter,” says Dan.
Sadly, after being diagnosed with cancer, Fedor passed away in 2022, just five years after being placed as Porter’s partner. His absence left a huge hole in all of their hearts. After taking time to grieve the loss of their faithful Fedor, they returned to Saint Francis to figure out just how to move forward in filling the space he left behind.
“Porter is extremely motivated by having a service dog,” Dan says.
Finding a successor dog takes great care, thought, and compassion. The transition from the familiar to the new can be tricky. As we do with all of our candidates, our expert team worked very closely with the Andersons to understand exactly how Porter’s needs had changed at this new stage in his life, while also evaluating exactly which dog could now serve him best. When Porter saw a goofy yellow lab named Knox walk into the room during their matching interview, everyone could feel the connection right away.
Dan says, “It was immediate joy…smiles all around and a lot of intense tail wagging.”
From that very first meeting, Porter and Knox began to form a very special bond. Porter, with his magnetic, easy-going personality and deep love of animals, lights up when Knox is by his side.
“Knox and Porter look forward to exercise and playtime together, which they both benefit from at the same time. Knox is constantly motivating Porter to play and be more active,” says Dan.
But there is so much beyond the physical assistance Knox provides. Because of his disability, Porter has limited verbal ability. So before he joined the Anderson family, Knox’s trainer at Saint Francis, Cortney, innovated - teaching Knox to respond to commands from a tablet that Porter often uses to communicate. It is a small, yet powerful way to strengthen this team’s already remarkable connection.
We can’t wait to see Porter continue to grow and life continue to open up for this family with Knox by their side!
volunteer spotlight The Frazier Family
Dr. Amy Frazier, DVM, first heard about Saint Francis when a teacher suggested her oldest daughter do some volunteering. She made a phone call, not really knowing how they would
“I get to use my skills and talents to make my corner of the world a little brighter and someone’s life journey a little smoother.”
people! This is a great group of fun, creative, dedicated, kind, thoughtful, endearingly crazy, helpful folks. I personally have benefited from everyone I’ve encountered.
Do you have a story about your time as a volunteer that really moved you?
Seeing one of the pups from the first litter we whelped at Graduation with her partner. We knew her first, just moments after her birth, when she was wet and squirming, and then as a roly-poly bundle of sass. And now here she was,
and her pups! But, It really has been the coolest experience both times. I’m immensely thankful for my family—the 4 girls and my husband, Mark—and the larger Saint Francis family that was there to pitch in—graciously and enthusiastically, with helpful hands.
I can’t say that I frequently considered the potentially life-changing roles these pups might eventually play. But every so often while cleaning the whelping pen or weighing the pups or just watching them play or sleep, I’d catch myself
Evelyn, Margaret, Anna, Emilia, Amy, and Mark
special from the start
To really get to the heart of every single Saint Francis Service Dog journey, you have to go all the way back to very beginning. The moment these wriggly, tiny pups take their first breaths, it marks the start down a very important path to becoming a life-changing teammate.
Helping to bring a litter of Saint Francis Service Dogs-to-be into the world takes care, dedication, and time. Whelping and raising a litter is a three month commitment, as a mama dog will come stay in the whelping home about 3-4 weeks before the puppies are born. Then, during and after their birth, both mama and the puppies must be diligently cared for until they return to Saint Francis when they are ready to start the Puppy Program at 8 weeks old.
“Rearing puppies in a home is a labor of love. That love is the foundation for building a trusting relationship with the humans around them,” says Kathy Marr, Saint Francis Breeding Program Manager.
With the official launch of our Breeding Program last year, and the anticipation of several litters in the very near future, whelping volunteers are vital in helping us achieve our
mission. They play a crucial role in the early development of our exceptional service dogs and set the stage for the journey ahead of them.
“There are so many benefits if our puppies are whelped and raised in a home. They are better protected from illness, they get to hear the sights and sounds of daily life, and they are part of a family,” says Kathy.
Along with the physical care, early socialization is key. By gentle handling and exposure to different sights, smells, and sounds, whelpers help the puppies develop the confidence and adaptability they will need to be a Saint Francis Service Dog...one of the many reasons the commitment and efforts of a whelping volunteer continue to make an impact far beyond the early days of a puppy’s life.
“Without them we would not have any foundation to build on. Our dogs perform wonderful tasks for their partners and give them unconditional love and confidence,” Kathy says. “These dogs change lives, and it all starts in the whelping box with whelping volunteers.”
Interested in becoming a whelping foster? Contact us at (540) 342-3647 or kmarr@saintfrancisdogs.org
As a WHELPING FOSTER, you help Saint Francis by hosting one of our mama dogs leading up to and through the birth of her litter. You care for both mama and puppies until the puppies reach 8 weeks of age.
As a PUPPY RAISER, you help Saint Francis by taking a puppy into your home. You introduce the puppy to the big world and teach the puppy basic manners and commands.
As a PUPPY SITTER, you offer your home to puppies that need a weekend getaway or a vacation for a week or two.
We support our Puppy Volunteers every step of the way! If you can provide a safe, comfortable, loving home for our puppies to learn and grow in, please consider becoming a Puppy Volunteer today!
For more information: visit saintfrancisdogs.org/volunteer email volunteer@saintfrancisdogs.org or call 540-342-3647
The Journey to the Perfect Match
There is no doubt…the moments are magical.
“I felt comfortable with him right away. Lion walked over and laid down on my feet and flipped over on his back to get a belly rub,” says Rick of meeting his service dog, Lion, for the very first time.
“My personality and Koa’s are so alike. The matching process is so personal and ensured I had the exact right service dog for me,” Blair says of being matched with her service dog, Koa.
But behind the magic and the moments, there is a meticulous method to our matching process that is a careful blend of skill, experience, and a thorough understanding of each unique person and dog. It helps us ensure that each match will be successful and mark the start of a life-changing partnership.
Debbie Clifton, Saint Francis Training Manager, says, “First-come, firstserved placements do not necessarily allow for the matching of specific needs of the candidate or for the lifestyle needs of the dog. We like to take a more holistic approach to placement versus trying to get as many dogs through the program as possible.”
But the journey to find the perfect fit starts long before a service dog meets their potential partner for the first time. The team at Saint Francis gathers valuable information from each of our candidates through screening interviews, home visits, and during our candidate classes. We learn their individual needs and lifestyles. Meanwhile, our trainers are closely watching our dogs in training to identify their strengths, weaknesses, energy level, and demeanor.
Debbie says, “The ultimate goal is to find the right dog for the right person.”
The process culminates during the matching interview, when a candidate meets with a dog as our team carefully observes.
Kris Sorensen, our Services Coordinator, says, “The poignant moments are when you see the candidate and dog make a connection.”
“Sometimes the connection is obvious and sometimes it is more subtle, but it’s always a reminder of why we do what we do.”
And while finding the perfect match takes patience, the end result is well worth it.
Kris says, “Our goal with everything we do at Saint Francis is to place a dog with someone to improve their quality of life. The matching process is one step of many that helps to ensure the partnership is the best it can be.”
A PUP’S progress
bathroom in the house, no chewing on some things (but other things are fine!), no jumping on people, no jumping on furniture, only eat some food, don’t eat other food, and it turns out that some things are not food at all! Whew. It is exhausting to be a puppy. I have to take a lot of naps.
But it is also fun. I get to play with my brothers, and we run all over the place. I get to live with a puppy raiser, (You might know her! Her name is Cabell!) and she takes really good care of me and teaches me games!
I turn out to be like. Frankly, none of us know what I will be like, including me. I am only six months old! But I hope I can do it. I like learning and this world of yours is really pretty fantastic, so I am excited to see what else there is in it. If I can get around some of these rules, that would be great. I am going to work on that. But first, a nap.
Donor Spotlight
Pete Milward
It was a concept born during the pandemic when we were stuck in our homes, taking extra precautions, and missing daily interactions we may have all taken for granted. Our goal for Barks ‘n Rec when it began in 2020 was to make people feel connected. We wanted everyone to get out there in whatever way they could – no matter their age, physical ability, or where they lived – to do what they love, all while helping Saint Francis Service Dogs change the lives of the people we serve.
Now, four years later, Barks ‘n Rec is still going strong. This past April, we once again exceeded our goal, raising over $67,500 to support our mission. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of so many.
We are especially grateful to this year’s title sponsor, MilwardPrillaman Group of Davenport & Company, LLC.
Pete Milward, long-time friend and supporter of Saint Francis says, “I am proud to sponsor Barks ‘n Rec. It is our major fundraiser of the year, and the publicity it brings helps raise the awareness of the mission of Saint Francis in the community.”
Pete was first introduced to Saint Francis by another very important person in the Saint Francis family, Vic Foti. He knew quickly that he wanted to be involved.
“It was love at first sight. I have always been a dog lover, and the concept of dogs helping people with disabilities was a revelation,” says Pete.
Ever since, Pete has been a dedicated donor and advocate. His generosity, friendship, and support is felt across our organization. He says being involved with Saint Francis brings him comforting satisfaction, knowing he is making an impact on people’s lives.
Pete says, “One of my favorite quotes is, ‘The best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a dog.’ It sums up what it means to place a service dog with someone who needs them.”
Thank you, Pete, for all you do to help us continue to change lives!
For more information on all types of giving, please visit our website at saintfrancisdogs.org/ways-to-give
Thank you to all of our sponsors for making Barks ‘n Rec 2024 a success!
Milward - Prillaman Group • WyndRose • Jo Lynn Draper • River Birch Wealth Management • Whitlow & Youell • Brown Edwards • Sam and Sally Craver • Dodson Pest Control • Annette Kirby • Member One • Roanoke Animal Hospital • Vinton Veterinary Hospital • Bob and Sue Villamil • Professional Rehabilitative Options, Inc. • Waldvogel Commercial Properties • Woods Rogers
Sunday, October 20th, 2024
More Details to Come
Help us celebrate the hard work and dedication of our partners, dogs, trainers, puppy raisers, donors, volunteers, and countless other people in arriving at this exciting day.
Follow us on social media and sign up for our email list to be the first to hear more information about this momentous occasion.
/SaintFrancisServiceDogs
@saint.francis.service.dogs
www.saintfrancisdogs.org/news-events
Tribute GIFTS January through May 2024
In Honor Of:
All Animals in Shelters
Ms. Sue Anne Boothe
Animal Care Center of Salem Staff
Mr. and Mrs. Donald McKibben
Aurie
Daniel Jessee
Dr. Tom Blaszak
Ms. Heidi Krisch
Brian Britt
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Coppage
Ernie Butler
Ms. Barbara Antonik
Lion and Rick Caudill
Mr. and Mrs. Rick and Linda Caudill
Whiskey Cavanaugh
Ms. Katrina Trelease
Charlie
Mr. and Mrs. Danny McCormick
Jax Clark
Joseph Clark
Debbie Clifton
Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Nadia Summo
Dora Linda Condon-Hogan
Cathy Condon
Sally and Sam Craver
Dr. and Mrs. Luther Beazley III
Sally Craver
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Rotramel
Linda Daniel
Ms. Barbara Antonik
Mattie DeLong
Mr. and Mrs. James Caudill
Hank Duerk
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Tomlin-Brenner
Ann Dunnington
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Ling
Whitney Eversole
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Eversole
Dr. Mark Finkler
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Bauman
Art and Marion Kunkle
Finny
Ms. Anne Paige Duncan
Daniel L. Frankl
Mr. and Mrs. John Bradshaw Jr.
Freddy
Ms. Anne Paige Duncan
Ben and Robert Garrison
Sylvia D Center
Lucy Gilmore
Steve and Eileen Lerch
Ella and Louie Grim
Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Grim
Kari Grim
Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Nadia Summo
Bob Hage
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Bowling
Lulu Belle Esmeralda Evjen Hagopian
Janet Evjen
Haley
Mr. and Mrs. Danny McCormick
Harley
Ms. Anne Paige Duncan
Hope
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Bodley
Mary Garrett Itin
Ms. Mary Beth Kors
Bob James
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Ling
Janine Joyce
Ms. Mary Johnson
Deez FeWeez Kenny
Ms. Jenny Stadheim
Lacey
Mr. and Mrs. David and Mona Fazzina
Louie
Mrs. Ann Saacke
Lucy
Mrs. Ann Saacke
Bob McNichols
Mrs. Nancy Gillespie
Frankie and Colton Morris
Paul and Linda Barnhart
Betty Lou Newcomb
Ms. Sherry Newcomb
Palmer
Daniel Jessee
Linda Perdue
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Updike
Maggie and Stella Risi
Mr. and Mrs. David Risi
Virginia Robinson’s Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Vince Snidow
Sasha
Mr. and Mrs. David and Mona Fazzina
Lulu Sears
Mary Jo Sears
Beth and Dennis Shearer
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Blaha
Silver
Ms. Yvonne Olson
Krista Sinnott
Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Holloman III
Skylit
Mr. and Mrs. David and Mona Fazzina
Sophia Daniel Jessee
Maggie St. John
Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Mary St. John
Membership in this leadership group is reserved for those who give generously to our vital Prison Pup Program at Bland Correctional Center.
Our Big Dogs Prison Pup Partners are essential in sustaining our mission and placing service dogs with those who need them.
We cannot thank our Big Dogs enough for their support of this initiative!
Saint Francis Big Dogs
Mr. and Mrs. Jake Allison
Kenneth “Andy” Anderson and Dr. Marti Anderson
Mike and Carol Anderson
Dr. Timothy Andriano
Peggy Bizjak
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Brunette
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Craver III
Ms. Jo Lynn Draper
Duffy Family Foundation
Mr. Peter Emch
Dr. and Mrs. Mark Finkler
First Four Petroleum LLC
Linda and Frank Foti
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Foti
Foti, Flynn, Lowen & Co.
Dr. and Mrs. Paul Frantz
Mr. Ed Hall
Happy Endings Bar and Grill
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Milward
Ms. Mary Anne Mullins and Mr. Christopher Robinson
Ms. Yvonne Olson
Mr. and Mrs. John Olver
Ms. Elizabeth Parsons
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Petrine
Mrs. Emily Reynolds
Mike and Krista Sinnott
Mrs. Joy Davis Smith
Mr. Marvin Smith
Mr. Maury Strauss, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Strauss
Ms. Suzanne Thorniley
Varsity Landscaping and Grounds
Karen and Chuck Wakeford
Mr. and Mrs. Barton Wilner
In Honor Of: (cont.)
Knox and Jessica Stragand
Tina Chilton
Krista Vannoy
Brooke Stackpole
Heidi Wagner
Mr. and Mrs. James Spitz
Jane White
Mrs. Sue Abercrombie
Ms. Bonnie Griffith
Whisper and Jane White
Ms. Charlotte Bennett
Dr. Courtney Wiegard, DVM
Mr. John Igoe
Mrs. Kate Parker
Winston
Mr. and Mrs. Vince Snidow
Wishbone
Mr. and Mrs. Matt Livingston
Maddie and Betty Young
Ms. Helen Kitchens and Mr. Edward
Shepherd
In Memory Of:
Amy
Mrs. Nancy Gillespie
April
Mrs. Nancy Cunningham
Asa
Dr. Courtney Wiegard DVM
Bill Ashburner
Ms. Sandi Adkins
Pepper August
Krystal August
Eddie Lee Bache, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Sorrells
Kelley Balmaceda
Ms. Sheila Segal
Beamer
Mr. Clifford Murray
Sandra Beane
Mary Dunlap
Bella
Mrs. Sharon Carroll
Belle
Dr. and Mrs. William Wellborn PhD.
Bianca
Dr. Courtney Wiegard DVM
Bibi
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Purdy
Cecil Bingham
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Nelson
Bill Blanchard
Ms. Lisa Faist and Mr. Bill Nash
Bogie
Mr. and Mrs. Carlis Carroll
Zachary Bray
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bray III
Bruno
Dr. Courtney Wiegard DVM
Carly
Ms. Nancy Ruth Patterson
Cash
Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Walker
Champ
Mr. and Mrs. David Derr Jr.
Chesney
Ms. Lillian Olson
Chewy
Mrs. Sharon Carroll
Kathie Childers
Sterling Davenport
Garden Club of Bedford
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Henderson
Ms. Cheryl Kessler
Father Bob Chope
Ms. Mary Ellen McGuire
Viola Cleary
Charles Frazier
Cody
Dr. Courtney Wiegard DVM
Tansey and Maggie Confroy
Wirt Confroy
Badger Cowen
Ms. Rebecca Cowen
Emma Craver
Ellen and Joe Austin
David Campbell
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Craver III
Joan Widger Hildreth
Diane Evans and Bob DeBlasio
Mr. Paul and Alice Grim
Annie and Sadie DeLong
Mr. and Mrs. James Caudill
Dexter
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Koogler
Dixie
Dr. Courtney Wiegard DVM
Mary Elyn
Mrs. Nancy Gillespie
Emma
Ms. Elizabeth Carter
Emma
Dr. and Mrs. Edward White
Jeff Epperly
Ms. Leilani Kaulback
Barry Ferrel
Ms. Dorothy Richardson
Dana Fitch
Mr. and Mrs. Billy Jewell
Michael Fleishman
Ms. Lisa Faist and Mr. Bill Nash
John Francis
Mr. and Mrs. John Bradshaw Jr.
Forrest Franklin
Mr. and Mrs. Humes Franklin Jr.
Ann Freeman
Ms. Janice Silk
Cody Frye
Mr. and Mrs. William Ray Sr.
Gracy May
Dr. Courtney Wiegard DVM
Karen Gulli
Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Griffin
Zeus Hall
Ms. Melanie Bowles
Hannah
Mr. and Mrs. Rand and Jan Garrett
Hannah
Mr. and Mrs. Dale Rucker
Heidi
Ms. Rebecca Perdue
Hershey
Ms. Janet West
Charla Hill of Charthill Scottish
Terriers
Ms. Anne Sumpter
Barkley and Susan Hill
Dr. and Mrs. Mark Miller
Andy Holohan
Dr. Kait McBane
Hooker
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wisser
Hope
Anne Bonney Fury
Ashleigh Huggard
Mr. and Mrs. James Johnson
Hope
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mohr
Alice G. Huff
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Lynch
Pansy Hundley
Katrina Hundley
Ink
Florence Archer
James
Mrs. Susan Humphries
Keeper
Ms. Nancy Ruth Patterson
Bessie Kennedy
Ms. Fran Young
Dick Kienle
Mr. and Mrs. John Bradshaw Jr.
Ms. Jo Lynn Draper
Linda Killian
Ms. Sandi Adkins
Rex Lawson
Eric and Diane Lawson
Gordy Lee
Mr. and Mrs. John Bradshaw Jr.
Leo
Mrs. Nancy Cunningham
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Lee
Ms. Christa Woomer
Libby
Mr. and Mrs. Michael LaPrade
Lily
Mr. and Mrs. James Johnson
Lily Dr. Courtney Wiegard DVM
Lola
Ms. Adair McCabe
Lola
Ms. Nancy Ruth Patterson
Ann Marie and Reggie Wood
Ms. Dianne Woody
Buttons
Mrs. Susan Humphries
Shirley Callaway
Mr. Eugene Callaway
Elizabeth Gilbert
Mr. Richard Lewis Jr.
London
Corrine Grant
In Memory Of: (cont.)
Louie Dog
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wisser
Lucy Lou
Robin Zebrasky and Paul Wheeling
Lucy Ms. Nancy Ruth Patterson
Lucy Dr. Courtney Wiegard DVM
Maggie Dr. Courtney Wiegard DVM
Maisie
Mr. and Mrs. Michael LaPrade
Gideon Maness
Brent Sublett
Michael James Manning
Mr. and Mrs. Ab and Julie Boxley III
Marley
Dr. Courtney Wiegard DVM
Max Mrs. Ann Hogg
Max Dr. and Mrs. William Wellborn PhD.
Hunter McCray
Ms. Kimberly McCray
Samuel McGhee
Mr. and Mrs. William Knocke
Jay McMahon
Ms. Helen Ruth Burch
Lynne Meredith
Ms. Sandi Adkins
Dr. Ronald Mergl
Ms. Constance Chandler
Mickey
Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Baer
Moe
Dr. Courtney Wiegard DVM
Lance C. Moore
Ms. Kathryn Figg
Helene Morisseau
Ms. Jeanette Mistele
Mousey
Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Walter Jr.
Molly Grace Murphy
Ms. Jane Avoy
Murphy Ms. Joanne Hawley
My Parents
Mrs. Hope Rector
Bud Nininger
Ms. Sandi Adkins
Noah
Ms. Nan Eddins
Mariner Olson
Ms. Emily Olson
Dianne Parker
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vandeberg
Suzanne Parker
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Violett
Peggy Ms. Karen Mauldin
Pepper
Mr. Clifford Murray
Pete Mrs. Susan Humphries
Puff
Dr. and Mrs. William Wellborn PhD.
Lacey Ramsey
Kim Ramsey
Opal Reed
Ms. Jennifer Dickerson
Ms. Narlene Dulaney
Patty Revels
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Price
Gene Riley
Ms. Sandi Adkins
River
Ryver Baynqs
Amy Taylor
Nancy vonKoehnen
Robbie
Ms. Lillian Olson
Bruce Rollins
Mrs. Kelly Rollins
Blair Sala
Ms. Lisa Faist and Mr. Bill Nash
Sammie
Mr. and Mrs. Rand and Jan Garrett
Sasha Dr. Courtney Wiegard DVM
Alan Schneeberg
Ms. Sherry Whitley
Sebastian
Dr. Courtney Wiegard DVM
Landon G. Shaff
Ms. Mary Margaret McDonald
Dennis Shearer
Robyn Arab
Terry and Lynne Aubel
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Blaha
Ms. Pam Burgess
Brian Carlsen
Pat Carter-Sage
Mrs. Cherie Eller
Ms. Kimberely Farley
Kimberly German
Ms. Martha Gregory
Cal and Kay Hickman
Sherry Hollandsworth
Mr. and Mrs. Darryl Hollins
Ms. Marjorie Howe
IFA Wealth Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Jones
Joseph Kochansky
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lewis
Orchard Villas Community
Ralph Petcher
Mrs. Beth Shearer
Mr. and Mrs. David Shearer
Sherri Shearer
Mr. and Mrs. John Shoudel
Mr. and Mrs. Mike and Krista Sinnott
Nancy Thomas
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Widdowson
Mr. and Mrs. James Wolschleger
Samson and Sequoia Shields
Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt Shields
Leigh Brill Singh
Ms. Karen Brill and Mr. Bill Meyer
Ninna P. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. David Safewright
Sparky
Dr. and Mrs. William Wellborn PhD.
Ed Stebick
Mr. and Mrs. David Weaver
Sue Stinnette
Ms. Jennifer Dickerson
Clinton Stoneking
Mr. and Mrs. Brad and Cathy Greenberg
Teddy
Mr. and Mrs. Dale Rucker
George Terry
Ms. Jennifer Dickerson
Timber
Mrs. Betsy Hatfield
Tippy
Mr. Lloyd Ruona
Greg Tolzmann
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Souter
Warren and Mary Tomlinson
Rachel Slater
Tommy Trinkle
Hon. Lawrence Koontz and Ms. Eberle Smith
USMA Class 1967 KIA RVN
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shelton
Gary and Cindy Vickers
Chris Vickers
Edward Wadsworth
ReBecca Wadsworth
Wanda
Ms. Kathy Morck
Max Mahone Wellborn
Dr. Bridget Quatmann
Max Wellborn
Mr. and Mrs. Nick Leitch III
Carol J. Wellington
Mr. and Mrs. Craig Knapp
John Clarence Whistler
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Nelson
Robert “Bobby” Walston White
Mr. and Mrs. John Cowlbeck
Jeff Willoughby
Joanna Hudson
Libby Winter
Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Bonny Winter
Bruce Wood
Ms. Lisa Faist and Mr. Bill Nash
Eddie Yarber
Mr. and Mrs. Walker Nelms
Zucker
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Purdy
In Recognition Of:
All My Pups
Ms. Nancy Jacobs
Hattie Hornick
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Hornick
Audrey W. Wiley
Ms. Ann Vernon
Thank you to our cherished group of monthly donors.
Ms. Sandi Adkins
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Allen
Jourdan Alvarado
Cat Ayers
Mr. Ralph Baker
Ab and Julie Boxley
Mrs. Mary Branch
Chris Brown
Mr. and Mrs. John Carlin
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Cody
Mr. William Corey and Ms. Kathy Umbdenstock
Ms. Lee Cox
Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Crist
Ms. Kathy Cvizic
Ms. Carole Denney
Mrs. Brandy Disbennett-Albrecht
Ms. Deborah Duerk
Mrs. Kay Early
Ms. Carole Edwards
Ms. Charlene Fay
Ms. Margaret Finn
Mark Fisher
Mr. and Mrs. David Fretwell
Marc Gagne
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hack
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Hornick
Mr. David Hudson
Ms. Christy Izard
Patty Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. David Kapp
Mrs. Jacqueline Lantz
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Lash
Mr. John Lawrence and Ms. Elizabeth Adams
Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Love
Ms. Cynthia Martin
We have taken great care to present an accurate listing of tribute gifts in the given time frame. If an omission or other error has occurred, we offer our sincerest apologies. Please let us know by contacting Kari Grim at kgrim@saintfrancisdogs.org or (540)342-3647x405.
Mr. Tim Masick
Mrs. Lynda McGarry
Ms. Mary Ellen McGuire
Mr. and Mrs. Karl McNeece
Mark and Amy Milberger
Ms. Jeanette Mistele
Mrs. Erin Morris
Mr. and Mrs. David Nickell
Mrs. Susan Paganelli
Mr. and Mrs. Demetrio Perez
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Pinkley
Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Read
Ms. Carol Reedy
Ms. Elizabeth Sensabaugh
Mrs. Drusilla Sexton
Mike and Krista Sinnott
Derek and Jennifer Slaughter
Ms. Nancy Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Smith
Ms. Kris Sorensen
Mr. Bodo Stock
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Sulka
Brian and Nadia Summo
Mr. and Mrs. Barry Vann
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Villamil
Ms. Jackie Werb
Dr. and Mrs. Edward White
Dr. Courtney and Mr. Spencer Wiegard
Mr. Ronald Winter
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wisser
Matthew Witting
Ann Marie and Reggie Wood
Mr. Draper Woody
To join the Saint Francis Friends Club as a faithful monthly donor, visit: saintfrancisdogs.org/friends-club
Board of Directors
Nadia Summo President
Krista Sinnott Vice President
Anne Jenkins Secretary
Marie Wimmer, CPA Treasurer
Mark R. Finkler, DVM Veterinary Advisor
Courtney Wiegard, DVM Past President
Craig Balzer
Jeff Barbour, CPA
Julie Boxley
John Carlin
Sally B. Craver, MSW
Jo Lynn Draper
Annette Kirby
Paula Mitchell
Jim Petrine
Steve Strauss
Robert Villamil
Kathy Baske Young
StaffBeverly Amsler
Doug Becker
Madeline Bruggeman
Debbie Clifton
Deborah Duerk
Beth Fulp
Sharon Grant
Kari Grim
Bob Lee
Kathy Marr
Tiffany Moeltner
Erin Morris
Michelle Mosely
Autumn Overstreet
Kristine Sorensen
Maggie St. John
Cortney Thibodeau
Loreen Thompson
Rebecca Thompson
Andrew Via
Marilyn Wilson
Cabell Youell
Ways to GIVE
Thank you for your support. Gifts can be made in multiple ways:
PHONE: (540) 342-3647 ext. 405
MAIL: Saint Francis Service Dogs PO Box 19538 Roanoke, VA 24019
ONLINE: saintfrancisdogs.org/donation
Saint Francis Service Dogs is a secular, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, whose mission is to help people with disabilities achieve their goals and have greater independence through partnership with exceptional service and facility dogs.
An envelope is enclosed for your convenience, if you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to support the mission of Saint Francis Service Dogs.
A financial statement is available upon written request from the Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs.
Newsletter Credits: Copy, Art Direction, Design, and Photography prepared in house by Saint Francis Staff unless otherwise noted. printing and mailing provided in part by Wordsprint.
The Balaban Center for Service Dog Excellence PO Box 19538, 8232 Enon Drive, Roanoke, VA 24019
Telephone: (540) 342-3647 | Fax: (540) 342-0906 www.saintfrancisdogs.org