Meet Our Founders and Volunteers

Jan Nowicki (Founder)

"My goal is to show people how to become aware of this animal-ability. By helping people and animals learn to communicate, I can nurture relationships in which pets provide more assistance in their owners' daily lives and the owners learn to value their pets' abilities. Animals have an innate ability to provide compassion, care, and encouragement to anyone in need."

 

If you would like to learn more about Jan and her work, please see her Vita.

Georgia Gates and Rosco (Volunteer)

"Going through the training with Rosco was a great experience. We both had fun and it brought us closer together and gave me a sense of accomplishment. The real reward was when we were able to go out and meet people at nursing homes, work with kids at the Indiana School for the Deaf and participate in the library reading program. Rosco loves to meet people. I love to share my dog with folks."

Read Georgia and Rosco's Story

Patt Thompson and Abbey (Volunteer)

"When we leave home to go for a visit, she puts on her vest and runs to the car, excited to know she is going to see the 'ladies and guys.' I'm excited because I know we are going to have fun. She has shown me a different kind of love, and I am always in awe of how she is with these fragile people and how much they love her and she returns their feelings. She has helped them smile, laugh, enjoy themselves for a while, have a visitor when often they have none."

Read Patt and Abbey's Story

Sadie
Our newest Pet Partner with Georgia! Congratulations!

Levi

Our scholarship student
with Rosco and Sadie

Levi is learning and practicing to become a Junior Jack's DOGs Pet Partner volunteer. Read more.

Rose Till and Cricket (Volunteer)

When she started her training, Cricket was afraid of everybody and especially larger animals. Now she's Miss Social Butterfly, greeting everyone! Someone saw her picture on a web site and asked to buy her. Cricket is NOT FOR SALE!

See Cricket's page.

Bob Boudi and Maizy (Volunteer)

Jan is now a licensed Delta Society Pet Partner Instructor. Please contact her if you'd like more information about Delta Society, therapy pets (not just dogs), or training and workshops. (jacksdogs@iquest.net)

Maizy is a rescued dog.   Meaning she was abandoned by her owner - set loose in the city.  Found and trained as a therapy dog , she gives and receives love unconditionally. See more about Maizy.

Shannon Thompson and Abbey are our newest team! You've seen Abbey before with Patt. Now she's trained two Pet Partners!