Saint Francis Service Dogs Summer 2024 Newsletter

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 be able to help. Now, a decade later, the Frazier family has stepped into nearly every volunteer role at some point or another - from puppy sitters, to puppy raisers, to long-term fosters. Lending her knowledge as a veterinarian, Amy has played a vital role in caring for some of our dogs who needed a “medical eye” on them during parts of their journeys. The Frazier family has also been there from the very start for other journeys, volunteering their home and hearts to whelp two Saint Francis litters. What was your first impression of Saint Francis Service Dogs? I really appreciated the breadth of this endeavor, that there were a whole lot of people involved, who all had widely differing roles, who were all dedicated to ‘making service dogs happen.’ It was almost overwhelming—it certainly was humbling (still is)—to think that we were being entrusted with a piece of the whole. What interests you most about Saint Francis? I think it might be the whole process of pairing service dog with human partner. Learning the dog, their personality, preferences, talents—all are highly We asked Amy to share a little bit about what Saint Francis means to her.

trained and capable, but what are the unique characteristics that make one dog the perfect partner for a particular person? I think it is rather magical - this coming together. What’s it like to be a part of the Saint Francis Service Dogs family? You might say that I came because of the dogs but stay because of the 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, all grown up, focused on her partner, intent on doing her job and proud to do it. Knowing that I and my family had a part in that transformation—wow!

What was it like to whelp a litter knowing the puppies would become life-changing partners for someone? From the very first, my involvement with Saint Francis has been a family experience, and whelping was no different! But—even with all the wonderful support I knew we’d get from the Saint Francis folks—it’s a big deal to oversee the care of a mom-dog 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 looking at one in particular, wondering “Who are you going to be, what are you going to do when you grow up?” I did—and still do—the same with my own kids.

Thank you, Frazier family!

“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.”

Evelyn, Margaret, Anna, Emilia, Amy, and Mark

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