Saint Francis 2023 Annual Report

Partner Spotlight Ian and Archie

The pond at The Luke Woody Memorial Garden offers an idyllic welcome to Saint Francis. It is a place to celebrate the incredible bond between humans and their animals. This year, it also became the perfect setting for one of our extraordinary partners to achieve a monumental goal…all with his Saint Francis Service Dog by his side. “Selecting Saint Francis for my Eagle Scout project came naturally to me. I wanted to give back to show how grateful I am for partnering me with Archie,” says Ian. Ian was partnered with Archie in early 2020, just at the door of the COVID pandemic. Silvia, Ian’s mother, says with Archie by his side, so many things changed for Ian, and by extension, their whole family. “Archie brought us comfort, steadiness, motivation, independence, and hope. Archie’s support is a reflection on Ian’s strong personal and educational growth these past many years,” says Silvia. “Few knew Ian before Archie, but many know Ian with Archie now.” The mission of Saint Francis resonated with Ian and his family, even before he was expertly matched with Archie.

Ian’s brother, Jordi, paved the way for his little brother by constructing a fence by our training house to earn his Eagle Scout rank in 2017. When Ian reached the point in his scouting career to focus on his Eagle Project, he chose to install solar bubblers in our pond to keep project he took on with confidence, determination, and resilience. Along the way, Archie was there, providing constant support. “Archie was always at the site with me during the project. He would grab tools if they fell down the hill and help carry the hammer. He was a true helper,” says Ian. Ian officially earned the coveted rank of Eagle Scout just a few months ago. We could not be more proud of all he has accomplished and his commitment to making a positive impact on the world around him. When we drive by the pond, we are also grateful for the daily reminder of the deep bonds shared by our Saint Francis family. Silvia says, “Being a part of Saint Francis means closeness, appreciation, and a sense of belonging to a bigger cause. Going for visits to Saint Francis now is extra special to me.” the water moving, improving overall water quality. It was a

“Archie has helped me become more confident. We are a team.”

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