Volunteer Photographer | Jan 2014 – Present

HeARTs Speak is a global network of photographers, writers, graphic designers, sculptors, painters, illustrators, and animal advocates providing their time and professional services pro bono to animal welfare organizations in their communities.

A picture is worth 1,000 words and I want to make sure that it definitely says “adopt me!” A good photograph of shelter pets can help them find their forever home faster and I’m proud to offer my services to local animal organizations in Austin, Texas.

• 2x Petco Foundation Calendar Photographer

SAFE Young Professional | August 2020 – Present

The SAFE Alliance exists to stop abuse for everyone by serving the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence. They are dedicated to ending violence through prevention, advocacy, and comprehensive services for individuals, families, and communities that have been affected by abuse.

The SAFE Young Professionals are on a mission to stop abuse for everyone. A group of dedicated and compassionate young professionals, SYP members support SAFE’s philanthropic efforts in two primary ways:

• SYP members support SAFE through ongoing monthly donations at any giving level
• SYP members engage with SAFE and help to raise funds through various events and activities throughout the year.

DogFest supports the mission of Canine Companions® to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs, free of charge. These service dogs make a profound impact through the jobs they do like opening doors, picking up dropped items, alerting to sounds, and much more. Our dogs love us endlessly, and the human-canine bond is powerful! Whether as service dogs, working dogs or pet dogs, there are countless tales of our best friends doing amazing things. We invite you to join the fun at your local DogFest as we celebrate the incredible joy dogs bring to our lives.

DogFest Texas Marketing Chair | April 2022 – October 2022

• Assisted with the state-wide marketing strategies in support of DogFest Texas 2022, raising more than $235,000.
• Attended committee meetings with Canine Companions corporate staff and volunteers to coordinate efforts and share effective marketing strategies.

Austin DogFest Event Chair | February 2021 – October 2021

• Organized DogFest Texas – Austin 2021, raising just under $250,000 cumulatively between the Austin, Fort Worth, and Irving events.
• Scheduled and led committee meetings with Canine Companions volunteers, including puppy raisers and dog lovers to help with the successful execution of the event by delegating specific tasks to those involved.
• Managed and secured day-of volunteers, including committee members, speakers, and vendors.
• Acted as emcee at the event.
• Orchestrated event communications, including: speaker, volunteer, and sponsor information packets.
• Responsible for driving event attendance, and creating experiences conducive to achieving the event goals, including: identifying and securing a venue, securing vendors and sponsors, procuring silent auction items, creating activities for both humans and dogs, etc.
• Determined Austin DogFest details so it reflects the community and worked closely with staff partners to ensure we were consistent with national guidelines with regards to branding, fundraising, and outreach.

Registered Therapy Dog Team | Aug 2010 – Jul 2015, Dec 2018 – January 2021

Alliance of Therapy Dogs provides registration, support, and insurance for members who are involved in volunteer animal-assisted activities. These activities include, but are not limited to, visits to hospitals, special needs centers, schools, and nursing homes. The objective is to form a network of caring individuals who are willing to share their special animals in order to bring happiness and cheer to people, young and old alike.

My dog, Lola, and I would visit various places to brighten up people’s days. We started off at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center as one of the first teams in the Paws 4 Healing program and then went to Illinois CancerCare. We would occasionally visit nursing homes, too. My other dog, Kai, has joined her as a therapy dog, as well, in 2018.

Animal Assisted Therapy Team | Aug 2010 – Dec 2010, Feb 2019 – Dec 2019

OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Illinois are pleased to offer animal assisted therapy to patients because they believe in treating the emotional as well as the physical needs of patients. Animal Assisted Therapy uses highly trained animals and handlers to help patients achieve specific physical, social, cognitive, and emotional goals. Specially trained therapy dogs and their owners will, on request, visit the hospital to bring comfort to patients, reduce stress, anxiety, pain, blood pressure, and increase patient social interaction and communication.

Volunteer Photographer | September 2016 – September 2019

The objective of PGI is to train service dogs to assist people with a variety of different disabilities while providing support to encourage independence. PGI educates the public about the benefits of service dogs and encourages animal rescue by obtaining many of our animals from shelters and rescue groups.

• Each year, I photographed PGI’s Running with the Dogs, which is their annual fundraiser. This 5k run/3k walk is their biggest fundraiser. The funds that are raised through this event help them continue to place service dogs free of charge each year. I attended the event to document the day itself and the races, as well. I focused on photos of the service dogs in attendance, pets, and run/walkers. Photos were used by PGI for marketing the event for the following year.

Walk/Run Peoria Committee Member | Mar 2018 – Sep 2018

In September, join supporters across the nation for a St. Jude Walk/Run event during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to raise money for childhood cancer research and the kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where families never receive a bill for anything. Walk or run, and fundraise to help end childhood cancer.

I assisted with the traditional and digital marketing for the Peoria St. Jude Run/Walk event in Peoria, Illinois.

Volunteer Therapy Dog Team | December 2010 – July 2015

The Mission of Illinois CancerCare is to provide comprehensive, compassionate care that enhances the lives of patients and their families. Illinois CancerCare, is a comprehensive practice treating patients with cancer and blood diseases. Their focus is providing state-of-the-art treatments for our patients in the fight against these diseases while staying on the leading edge of breakthrough research and medicines. They are one of the largest private oncology practices in the nation, and have helped countless individuals overcome this disease to live healthy, inspiring lives.

As a therapy dog team, I visited patients as the waited to receive treatment or were receiving treatment.