Partners and Paws

Volunteer SPOTLIGHT

Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. They give of their time, talents, and means to help people they don’t know live richer, fuller lives with the help and support of a Saint Francis Service Dog. Krista Sinnott has been helping our partners through her volunteer work for 15 years! When she first started volunteering, she was most excited to work with the puppies…and work with the puppies she has! Krista has been both a puppy raiser and a puppy sitter for us and many of her charges have gone on to be successful Saint Francis Service Dogs. With so much experience with our puppies and training process, she is one of our go-to volunteers for helping us with puppies that need a bit of extra attention in certain areas. She welcomes puppies into her home for a few weeks at a time to work with them on confidence building or behavioral challenges. When asked which achievement she was most proud of, she said that it was helping puppies over- come these challenges that might have otherwise prevented them frommoving forward and becoming service dogs.

With the help of her husband, Mike, her own pet dogs, Saint and Doc (who happen to be fabulous Saint Francis Career Change Dogs), and even the help of her co-workers, who graciously welcome our Saint Francis puppies into their office space when Krista is working with them, she helps change the lives of our partners, who will one day be matched with her charges. She says: “Every single one of the dogs I’ve spent time with has made a lasting impression on me, and I have felt a bond and attachment with each one. What moves me most is seeing them at graduation or other events or hearing about what they are doing with their partners, seeing the connection they have with their partners. The partnership between a service dog and their person is life-changing for the partner and their family, friends and support system. I so value my own independence and the love of my own dogs, and to be able to have a small role in helping provide that to someone else is a real privilege.” As if Krista’s steadfast and selfless support in all the ways she already gives of her time and energy to our mission weren’t enough, she is now also the newest member of our Board of Directors. Trust us when we say, the privilege is ours, Krista!

”Life’s most persistent and urgent quesiton is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Krista and Service Dog, Scoop

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