Partners and Paws

Donor SPOTLIGHT

We recently had the chance to chat with him about his involve- ment with Saint Francis, and with over 20 years of experience to draw on, it was a privilege to hear what he had to say. “As the Veterinary Advisor, my main interest in the organization is in helping to ensure that our puppies and adult dogs in the program are structurally sound and remain healthy. I am also very interested in the actual training process. I am amazed at the skills our trainers possess. To be able to turn a rowdy, 8-week-old Labrador or Golden Retriever into a calm, well-mannered, obedient service dog that knows 30-40 commands in two years—that is very impressive to me! The difference these dogs go on to make in the lives of their partners is truly amazing and very heart warming. Each recipient has a different story, but the common theme is that our service dogs allow them to enjoy a greater level of independence, day-in and day-out. It makes me proud to know that we are widely respected in the service dog world. Other organizations have visited our facility and met with our trainers to see how we do it. I tip my hat to our Executive Director, Cabell Youell, who has guided us to achieve the high standards we have. As part of Saint Francis, I get to meet and work with some amazing people – our board members, trainers, our admin staff, our partners, the numerous

veterinarians in this area that help take care of our puppies and dogs, our many volunteers. Plus, I’ve been able to meet a lot of cool dogs! As a member of the Board of Directors, I also see the business side. We’ve run the numbers – it takes tens of thousands of dollars to produce one service dog. We then turn around and give this dog away for free! This is a rather unusual business model, to say the least. We rely solely on donations, grants, and an occasional bequest. So, I continue to donate money personally, as well as through Roanoke Animal Hospital. My parents and my Catholic upbringing taught me to help others. Children and adults with disabilities face daily challenges that I’ve never had to deal with. There is a genuine need to help make these challenges less daunting. Pairing this need to help others with my natural affection for animals leads me to my commitment to help this organization.” When asked how he would describe his personal mission, Dr. Finkler said, “To make a difference in the world, even if it’s only a small one. I’mmore of a ‘small picture’ guy; I’ll never be able to end world hunger or bring peace in this world, but I can still make a difference. Life is finite – we’re here for only a limited time. I believe that I have an obligation to leave this world a better place than the way I found it.” Saint Francis is certainly better for having Dr. Finkler’s dedication and support.

Dr. Mark Finkler has been a veterinarian for over 40 years. He is the owner of Roanoke Animal Hospital, a member of many local, state, and national veterinary organizations, and teaches part-time at the VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. He is also the Veterinary Advisor at Saint Francis and a charter member of our Board of Directors. In fact, he was on the team that developed the original business model for Saint Francis. He has been contributing to our mission since day one. As a veterinarian and animal lover, it will not surprise you to learn that Dr. Finkler is keenly aware of the special relationships that exist between animals and their humans. Having been a part of our organization since the beginning, he has seen how meaningful and transformative these relationships can be for service dogs and their partners in particular. Not only has he supported our mission on a selfless and personal level, but through his business, he offers in-kind support for the medical care of our animals, and Roanoke Animal Hospital is a frequent graduation and event sponsor.

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