Lend a Paw (LAP) was officially established in June 2025, but its roots reach back to early 2024 when a small group of dog trainers and community advocates came together with a shared mission: to change lives through the power of the human-canine bond.
Now operating as a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3) status pending), LAP is already making an impact through its thoughtfully designed puppy raising program, monthly community support offerings, and commitment to preparing high-quality service dogs for those in need.
🐾 Our Mission
To facilitate the benefits of canine relationships with humans through the development of service dogs and therapeutic support services.
🐶 Purpose-Driven Puppy Raising
At the core of the LAP Program is our puppy raising initiative, where purpose-bred or carefully selected puppies are raised with structure, socialization, and professional oversight to prepare them for a life of service.
Our first graduate, Roxy, was raised in 2024 by Samantha Cruser and placed with a local veteran as a service dog in training through our partnership with Boots Across America. Roxy was obtained from Great Goldens Breeding, and her successful transition into service work set the standard for our future dogs.
Current Dogs in the Program
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Otto – A joyful Poodle raised by Samantha, obtained from Poodles of Pantheon
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Lydia – A gentle Standard Poodle raised by Janette Phillips, lovingly donated by Lonnie York of Impressive Cartwright Standards
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Delta – A gorgeous Dutch Shepherd raised by Christie Meyer Faccinto, obtained from Vrijheid Dutch Shepherds
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Aspen – A 7-month-old Australian Shepherd, lovingly donated by Kimberly Watts, currently awaiting a puppy raiser
Each of our service dogs in training is spayed or neutered and receives full orthopedic x-rays of the hips, elbows, and spine to ensure structural soundness before being considered for placement.
If a dog is determined to be unsuited for full public-access service work, we explore career reassignment options such as:
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Emotional support work
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Non-public-access task training
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Therapy dog certification
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Companion placement for qualified homes
🐕 Need a Service Dog?
If you’re in need of a service dog and want to ensure your new family member is truly ready to help, we invite you to reach out. Our dogs are temperament-tested, structurally sound, and carefully raised for purpose.
Dogs are matched with potential handlers on a case-by-case basis to ensure compatibility, lifestyle fit, and support needs. Once matched, we help guide the transition to task-specific training.
In many cases, we can assist with funding or guide clients toward grants or sponsorships. Fees associated with dog placement go directly back into the care, training, and preparation of our dogs in training.
💬 Community Support: Pet Loss Group
As part of our mission to support emotional well-being through canine connection, we also offer a free monthly Pet Loss Support Group in partnership with Susan Fortner of Wildly Curative.
📍 PLENTY Downtown Book Shop
🗓 Second Monday of every month
⏰ 6:30 – 7:30 PM
This group offers a safe, welcoming space for individuals grieving the loss of a beloved pet. Each meeting is free to attend, with an estimated $250 cost per session covered through generous community donations.
💛 How You Can Get Involved
Whether you’re a dog lover, a potential foster, or someone who believes in the healing power of animals—there are many ways to support our mission:
✨ Become a Puppy Raiser
Provide a stable, structured environment for a future service dog.
✔️ Costs covered (vet care, supplies, food)
✔️ Training donated by experienced professionals
✔️ Ongoing guidance and community support
🐾 Offer Respite Care
Support our puppy raisers by hosting a dog for short periods—great for socialization and a nice break for the full-time foster.
💸 Donate
Your tax-deductible donation helps fund:
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Veterinary care
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Training tools and enrichment
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Travel expenses
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Community outreach programs
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The monthly Pet Loss Support Group
📩 Contact Us
Interested in fostering, applying for a dog, or supporting the program?
📧 Email us: lendapawdogs@gmail.com
We welcome questions, donations, and new volunteers. Whether you’re ready to commit or just want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you.
👥 Meet the Team
LAP is led by a team of dedicated women who bring experience in dog training, nonprofit operations, and community support:
President: Christie Meyer Faccinto
I am the co-owner of Thunderhawk Canine LLC. I trained my first Service Dog somewhere around 2002, and have been supporting that aspect of the industry since. Having seen the amazing difference a well trained dog can make in the life of someone with disabilities, it has become a passion. Having also witnessed the disappointment people feel when their prospect doesn’t work out, or witnessing the absolute damage and danger that an unsuitable dog can bring, solidified that commitment. In early 2024, I approached Samantha with an idea – the Service Dog world needs readily available “green dog” like the law enforcement industry. Green dogs are health tested, raised with great foundations, and ready to start task specific training for real work. So we decided to be that change. The PAL program was born, making “green” service dog prospects available to the community.
Vice President of Puppy Fostering: Samantha Cruser
My name is Samantha Cruser. I am a veterinary technician and a dog groomer with a love of raising balanced puppies. I have trained my own service dogs and just love giving back to the service dog community. My own service dog helps me live a full and normal life every day. My only wish is to give that freedom to someone else in need!
Vice President of Continuing Dog Support: Carmen Trojcak
Secretary: Emily Eastham
My name is Emily Eastham. I am a professional dog trainer that has worked for Thunderhawk Canine for nearly 6 years helping to improve the communication between dogs and owners. I’ve been privileged to experience and witness the many ways dogs bring enrichment to the people around them. This effect is magnified when you get into the life changing ways that service dogs can aid their handlers. I’m passionate about helping to make having a service dog a more accessible option for those in need.
Treasurer: Janette Phillips
My name is Janette Phillips. I’m a CPA and jumped into the service dog world for my son who has a rare syndrome. While indispensable to our family, our prospect puppy had a genetic issue making her incompatible for full-time work. I’m passionate about this mission knowing how life changing these dogs can be, and hoping we can prevent issues my family has faced by providing an extra layer of protection, so families in hardship welcome in a new family member with the best chance of success.
Together, they work to ensure each dog and handler receives the care, training, and support needed to succeed.
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