Saint Francis Service Dogs Partners and Paws - Summer 2023

volunteer spotlight

Hannah and Joie “I like to serve others as much as I can, but it is rare to have

When Hannah Losey heard that Saint Francis Service Dogs was in need of puppy volunteers, she immediately signed up to be a sitter. But as fate would have it, with a new litter of pups just born into the Saint Francis family, she quickly stepped into a bigger role as a puppy raiser. Just a short time after deciding to volunteer, Hannah had Joie in her arms, ready to welcome this new little one into her home for the next year. Hannah joined our newly formed class in Blacksburg, along with two other puppy raisers in the area. She made room in her already busy schedule as an environmental engineer and yoga teacher to start attending weekly classes with our Puppy Program Manager. She began teaching Joie all the basic obedience and skills she would need at the start of her service dog journey. For Hannah, it is a challenge “It was impossible not to fall in love with her,” Hannah says.

the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the life of another person,” says Hannah. “Service dogs mean so much to those who use them, and I am inspired by the idea that I could be a small part of creating support and independence for someone.” Through their frequent outings to the library, long hikes, and activities on the Virginia Tech

campus, Hannah is playing a critical role in Joie’s socialization. The training Hannah is giving Joie through their daily life is building a foundation that will allow Joie to become a life-changing teammate for someone who needs her. “Seeing her learn a new command that I never thought she could possibly learn has been incredibly gratifying,” Hannah says. “I feel really proud to be her trainer and to have her by my side.”

Thank you, Hannah, for all that you do!

she takes on with passion and commitment, knowing she is helping impact someone’s life.

“Ultimately, these dogs provide joy and love to everyone they touch and having the opportunity to be a part of that is incredibly precious.”

We are so thankful for all of our volunteer puppy raisers who pour their hearts and souls into caring for the dogs in our program. If you are interested in learning more about puppy raising and puppy sitting, visit our website at saintfrancisdogs.org/volunteer.

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