I'm participating in DogFest Southwest 2025 because I love dogs and know the joy they bring to our lives each and every day. I also believe in Canine Companions and their mission to provide expertly trained service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities FREE of charge.

Leading up to DogFest Southwest 2025, I am raising money to support the Canine Companions mission. The impact these dogs have on the lives of people with disabilities is incredible. Help me get to my fundraising goal by donating so we can get more of these amazing Canine Companions service dogs into the lives of those who need them. Thank you! 

I’m excited to share a special story with you this year, about Puppy Lisa, who I named. While in college (professional training), the wonderful Canine Companions trainers realized that Lisa would be best suited as a Diabetes Alert Service Dog. She is now in training with another agency, learning this very specialized service. Amazingly, diabetic alert dogs can detect blood sugar changes 30 minutes before the newest technology! I had the opportunity to visit with Lisa and her new trainer recently. Lisa is very happy and smart and greatly enjoys working. You can see in the photo she is a very focused dog, and she is applying this focus to her training. 

I love that Canine Companions, in addition to advancing the dogs’ incredible skills, also honors the innate ability of the dog, and makes perfect matches that are sometimes not in the Canine Companions service lines. That says everything to me about how dedicated Canine Companions is to the quality of the match and honoring the dogs. I’m excited for Lisa’s progress and her future match!