DogFest DFW 2024
Grab a leash and join Canine Companions for our signature event, DogFest! Celebrate the love of dogs while supporting an important mission.
Lone Star Chapter
Canine Companions
South Central Region
ABOUT
The Lone Star Volunteer Chapter was established in early 2015. Our chapter serves the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area and consists of volunteers, puppy raisers, graduate teams and supporters who actively work to support the mission of Canine Companions.
The goals of our volunteer chapter are to:
- Grow volunteer chapter membership by raising public awareness of Canine Companions.
- Recruit individuals enthused about raising future service dogs.
- Provide financial support for Canine Companions through fundraising.
- Maintain a vibrant, positive presence in the community by giving presentations and demonstrations about Canine Companions.
- Show support to all who share the passion and pursue the mission of Canine Companions.
- The Lone Star Volunteer Chapter is proud to be an extension of the South Central Region. Located in Irving, Texas, the Baylor Scott & White – Kinkeade Campus offers ideal facilities for providing professional training for service dogs and preparing clients for their lives with a service dog.
VOLUNTEER WITH THE LONE STAR CHAPTER
If you’re looking for deeper engagement as a Canine Companions volunteer, we encourage you to get involved with our chapter. If you are interested in volunteering with our chapter, contact us. We’d love to meet you!
We are always in need of additional puppy raisers. Puppy raisers donate their time and effort in the care and socialization of future service dogs. Learn more at canine.org/puppyraiser.
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EVENTS
Lone Star Chapter Events
Upcoming Puppy Outings
Group outings are essential for our puppies and raisers. We’d love for you to take a look at our calendar of events and join us at an upcoming outing!
It is our goal to prepare our puppies to become viable service dog candidates by planning and organizing fun and stimulating social outings and events for both puppies and raisers. Our chapter organizes frequent outings to teach each other how to properly integrate your puppy and its training into your daily life. Check out our outings and events below and don’t forget to join our Meetup Group to receive updates and notifications!
Lone Star Chapter Meetings
Information on upcoming meetings to come.
Join us for one of our Lone Star Volunteer Chapter meetings to learn more about how you can get invovled with the Lone Star Volunteer Chapter and support the mission of Canine Companions.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Events in the South Central Region
We love to share our story! Canine Companions volunteers, graduates and puppy raisers are available for meetings and events throughout the region. If you are interested in a Canine Companions representative attending an event for your group, organization or company please fill out this form and someone will be in contact to set up a presentation.
If you are interested in volunteering for an event please visit the volunteer page. Make sure to check out the calendar below for all events in the region.
Join us for our quarterly Graduation and Matriculation Ceremonies at the Kinkeade Campus to see the mission come to life. Click here for details!
Sit. Stay. Sparkle. Texas Style!
Join us for a sparkling evening, Texas style, in the Fort Worth stockyards while supporting Canine Companions’ life-changing mission.
DogFest Houston 2024
Grab a leash and join Canine Companions for our signature event, DogFest! Celebrate the love of dogs while supporting an important mission.
VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP
Chapter President
Michelle Sudduth
Michelle has volunteered with Canine Companions since 2015 and is a native Texan. She and her family are currently raising Canine Companions puppy Zeppelin, a Labrador/ Golden Retriever cross. Previously they raised Danny III, a Lab/ Golden cross who was released from the program and is now doing therapy work. Michelle is a retired educator who enjoys traveling and spending time with family. Michelle has served as Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer for the Lone Star Chapter.
Chapter Vice President
Debbie Bringhurst
Debbie began volunteering with Canine Companions in 2015 after raising puppies for two other organizations. Debbie has served as the Puppy Welcome Waggin’ Coordinator for the last several years. She retired from the financial industry and has been a member of the Baylor Scott & White Pet Therapy program for 14 years and currently volunteers with Bria, her Canine Companions released dog.
Chapter Communications Chairperson
Erin LaMonte
Erin is a eleven-time puppy raiser, currently raising Mutau, and has been involved with the Lone Star Chapter from its beginning after moving from Southern California four years ago. She has served as Vice President and Communications Coordinator the last three years.
Secretary/ Treasurer
Nanette McGill
Nanette is a six-time puppy raiser that relocated to North Texas in 2019 after volunteering for Canine Companions in Southern California. She is currently raising Jarie, a Labrador/ Golden Retriever cross. Nanette returns for her second year in this role as the Lone Star Chapter secretary/ treasurer.
Graduate Liason
Tom and Jason Bland
Tom and his son Jason received Service Dog Hawkins in October 2016 from the Kinkeade Campus in Irving. Tom retired as an IT professional and enjoys making presentations with Jason and Hawkins throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Tom and Jason's favorite pastimes include laughing at Hawkins and puppy sitting. They also enjoy attending Lone Star Chapter meetups with puppy raisers and asking Hawkins to show off his commands.
Puppy Welcome Waggin' Coordinator
Tracy Conine
Tracy has raised three puppies for Canine Companions and is currently raising Whirl, a Labrador/ Golden Retriever cross. Her last puppy Novella graduated recently as a service dog for a veteran. Tracy retired from the insurance industry will use her skills to help us welcome and serve our puppy raiser families.
Community Outreach Co-Coordinator
Jackie Jelen
Jackie is a long-time volunteer puppy raiser who is currently raising her twelfth puppy, Ziti, a yellow Labrador/ Golden Retriever cross. Jackie retired from Chase and is enjoying life. She previously served the Lone Star Chapter in the role of Secretary/ Treasurer.
Community Outreach Co-Coordinator
Dawn Thompson
Dawn has been involved with Canine Companions since 2013 as a volunteer puppy raiser and has raised two dogs who went on to graduate: Freckles and Orbit. Dawn has formerly served in the Lone Star Chapter as President, Vice President and as Co-Chair of Fundraising and Yappy Hour Committees.
Graduate Liaison
Dolly Thomas
Dolly and her son Jordan are graduates of the program, matched with Skilled Companion Kinkeade in November 2017. Dolly hopes to increase our graduate teams' involvement in Canine Companions activities and volunteer opportunities, and foster relationships and communication amongst our clients.CONTACT US
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