Twelve New Paws Partnered with Clients in 2020 - Summit ...
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2020 ANNUAL REPORT
Creating life-changing partnerships between people and dogs
Twelve New Paws Partnered
with Clients in 2020
That equals three highly trained mobility service dogs now helping their
partners navigate life together! Meet Summit’s graduate teams of 2020:
Michelle & Sailor
Michelle was partnered with Sailor
in the fall of 2020. Michelle’s last
service dog, Fritz, greatly enhanced
her independence, so she applied for
a successor because she knew that
a Summit dog could help her with
her needs as her Multiple Sclerosis
progresses. When Michelle first met
Sailor, she knew he was the dog for
her. He has already become a great
help, especially with retrieving
dropped items and tugging doors
open and closed.
Jill & Toby Alex & Cooper
When Jill met Toby at their Alex was paired with his second
matching assessment, she “kind of Summit dog, Cooper, in February
fell in love with him right away.” 2020. Alex, who has Cerebral Palsy,
Jill is a recent breast cancer survivor became a Summit client in 2006
and has a few autoimmune diseases when he was partnered with black
that impact her balance and cause Lab Fraser. The pair traveled together
gait changes, dizziness, fatigue and to South Africa, where Alex worked
pain. Toby assists her with balance with the government to help them
and retrieving items, giving Jill establish their disability programs.
more confidence and safety, while He also served on Summit’s board
decreasing her fatigue. Jill said that of directors and held a staff position
having Toby by her side is really before forming his own non-profit,
reassuring. “I feel so much better the Amandla Project, to create
with Toby around. I have more travel-abroad opportunities for
energy in little spurts, since I’m able students with disabilities. That means
to save it with Toby doing tasks for Cooper will be following in Fraser’s
me.” Jill is an avid crafter and enjoys international travel pawprints.
sewing, knitting and rock painting.
Welcome four Canine Condo
puppy litters construction begins
Page 3 Page 4
Creating life-changing partnerships between people and dogs
Message from the Founder/Executive Director
They say hindsight is 20/20 and in our prison program, and
this year we can literally say that! committing themselves to virtual
What a year 2020 was ... unlike training classes when meeting as
any I’ve experienced during my a group was unsafe. Our financial
20 years with Summit. A global supporters have truly been the glue
pandemic, racial inequity, raging that has held this organization
wildfires, political upheaval, and together and allowed us to keep
so much more, brought incredible creating life-changing partnerships,
challenges. for funding is the cornerstone to
everything we do.
This past year I’ve spent a lot
In the wake of a year like 2020,
of time thinking about the role
I have to pinch myself when I
nonprofit organizations play in our SUE MEINZINGER walk up to our building site daily
society. Especially during times
and see our Canine Condo under
like we continue to face today, the construction. What I’ve only been
nonprofits around this country, and I feel so grateful to be part of a able to envision on paper is now a
indeed the globe, seem to me to be community that continues to focus structure I can walk through. It is
the glue that can hold our fractured on the important work of caring happening and what an incredible
world together, continuing to provide for others. I couldn’t be more proud asset this building will be for us!
essential services and champion of the team of staff and board
members that I serve alongside, as Thank you so very much for
change, no matter what. There’s never
everyone quickly adapted to our making all this possible. I’ve missed
been a time it’s felt more important
seeing so many of you in person this
to me to both step up to a new level new reality, became creative, and
past year, yet your outpouring of love
of leadership for Summit, and to even found silver linings within
and support has been ever present.
generously support the work of other the new challenges we faced. Our
In closing, I’d like to share one of my
organizations who are trying to meet volunteers have been most amazing,
favorite quotes. “We cannot direct the
the ever-increasing needs of the stepping up to keep dogs in their
wind, but we can adjust our sails.”
people and animals they serve. Just care longer than usual, providing
like the pandemic, we’re all in this homes for the dogs normally residing You’ve helped sail this ship through
one heck of a storm this past year and
together, and it is by working together
we’re still on course. Together, I know
to lift everyone up that we can heal
we can prevail in making the world a
the pain felt by so many.
better place, one dog at a time!
Founder/Executive Director
2
Creating life-changing partnerships between people and dogs
2020 Accomplishments & Highlights
In 2020, Summit welcomed four litters of Labrador puppies. From birth
to eight weeks old, the puppies and their moms were cared for by dedicated
staff and volunteers. All of the puppies have begun their service dog training In addition to multiple litters of
journey with our trainers, volunteer foster homes, and partner programs. We adorable puppies, Summit is proud to
look forward to seeing how these pups progress throughout 2021! share these 2020 accomplishments:
Created three new service dog
teams: Alex & Cooper, Michelle &
Sailor, and Jill & Toby.
Accepted 6 new applicants and
provided ongoing support to our 24
current service dog teams.
Raised and trained 42 puppies and
young dogs with the support of 57
active foster homes.
Conducted more than 39 outreach
presentations and volunteer events.
Pivoted in-person events and
fundraisers to virtual formats
The K litter (11 puppies) was born The L litter (6 puppies) was born
during the COVID pandemic,
to Stitches on February 9, 2020 to Kiara on March 18, 2020
increasing our reach and keeping
engaged with our community.
Completed comprehensive training
modules for service dog training
and to specifically develop the skills
of the men in our prison program.
This work was funded by a grant
from The Christopher & Dana Reeve
Foundation.
Continued raising funds for our
service dog training campus and
broke ground on the first building,
the Canine Condo.
The M litter (6 puppies) was born The N litter (8 puppies) was born
to Tikka on September 7, 2020 to Maggie on November 15, 2020
3
Creating life-changing partnerships between people and dogs
“Paws”itive Progress Made on our Future Campus
Despite the challenges presented by a $300,000 grant to help complete division of Idex Health & Sciences for
the COVID pandemic, progress was the Canine Condo. The Employees several COVID-safe work parties to
made in 2020 on Summit’s Unleashing Community Fund of Boeing awarded clear trails and construct a picnic table.
Potential Capital Campaign to raise a $35,000 grant to finish the Canine We anticipate a busy year in 2021
$5.3 million to build our permanent Cantina in the Canine Condo. as we complete the Canine Condo
service dog training campus. And the Patterson Foundation and elevate our fundraising campaign
Several large foundation grants and awarded a second campaign grant to the next level to complete the
leadership gifts enabled Summit to of $25,000. Additional campus entire campus, which will enable us
start construction on phase one of our foundation gifts in 2020 included to change the lives of many more
three-phased campaign. With enough an in-kind lumber donation from people through a partnership with a
initial funding for phase 1 secured by Sierra Pacific Foundation and a skilled service dog. Visit summitdogs.
year-end, our contractors were able Whidbey Community Foundation org/capitalcampaign to learn more
to start construction on the first, and grant to provide resources to prepare about the Unleashing Potential Capital
most essential building, the Canine for increased on-site volunteer Campaign and our plans for the
Condo. engagement. Summit also hosted future.
During the rainy days of November volunteers from the Oak Harbor
and December, the site was
transformed as our water system was
installed and the construction crew
laid the foundation of the 4,000
square-foot Canine Condo building.
There is a lot more to do, and more
funds to raise, but the sight of a real
building forming by the holidays was
a gift indeed!
In addition to generous individual
donors in 2020, we received several
grant awards to move forward our
campus development. The M.J.
Murdock Charitable Trust awarded
CANINE CONDO INTERIOR
4
Creating life-changing partnerships between people and dogs
Vibrant Young Applicant Sparkles
Wherever She Goes
With bright blue wheels and her connective tissue is too loose, so
rainbow lights on her wheelchair, it’s her joints don’t stay in place like they
easy to spot Summit applicant Anya. “I should. “A dog would help relieve
get stared at a lot in public, so I might certain symptoms by doing tasks like
as well have fun,” she said. “I wear picking up items, closing doors and
bright, fun clothes, and I really enjoy elevating my legs,” she said. “A dog
finding new things in thrift stores.” would also help me keep my balance
Anya has Postural Orthostatic and get help if needed.”
Tachycardia Syndrome, POTS for short. Anya, who is 19 years old, lives
“It’s a form of dysautonomia that in Olympia with her parents, two
essentially means my body doesn’t younger siblings, and Daisy the family
tolerate being upright very well,” dog. She is technically a senior at
she said. “When a healthy person North Thurston High School but is
stands up, gravity pulls their blood taking Running Start classes at South
downward and the veins in their legs Puget Sound Community College.
constrict to send the blood back up. She had to leave high school halfway
My blood just stays in my legs, which through her sophomore year when her
causes dizziness and fainting.” Anya health declined, but she’s hoping to
also has hypermobility, which means catch up and finish school this year. SUMMIT APPLICANT ANYA
Whatever It Takes: Profile of a Summit Supporter
Mona Z. of Snohomish, WA first got to provide respite care, helps with who is now a Summit breeder dog
involved with Summit after she moved Summit outreach events, and assists and the mama of our “L” litter. She
to the area in 2009 and was looking with canine testing evaluation days. shared a memorable moment for her
for volunteer opportunities where Mona has provided care for more was when Kiara’s “three moms” (three
she could meet people with similar dogs than she can count, some staying key volunteers who helped raise her
interests. Her love of dogs and a web for just a day and one, Kiara, she through her first two years) watched
search led her to Summit and we’re puppy-raised for ten months. She has Kiara go through one of her testing
forever grateful it worked out that way! a special place in her heart for Kiara, evaluations with flying colors. The
When Mona started volunteering, “three moms” were just so proud!
she jumped right in to help with Mona now lovingly refers to the L
whatever was needed - poop-scooping, litter dogs as her “grand-puppies.”
cleaning, and general dog care. As As Mona’s involvement with Summit
Mona got more engaged with Summit, grew, she also began making annual
she began to help with puppy respite donations with a particular interest
care (short-term caretaking) and in supporting Summit’s involvement
transporting dogs from our Monroe in the ABC Breeding Cooperative.
Prison Program to their veterinary This past year she also made a special
appointments. She has also helped gift through her IRA with a Qualified
prepare lunches for Team Training and Charitable Donation. Thank you,
says the opportunity to get to know Mona, for everything you do to
the clients and see them interacting unleash the full potential of Summit’s
with their new service dogs really dogs in training and the people they
cemented a place in her heart for will serve!
Summit. Today, Mona continues MONA AND MONA THE SUMMIT PUPPY
5
Creating life-changing partnerships between people and dogs
Summit Foster Homes Keep Us Going!
Summit is so fortunate to have had raiser Linda C. recounts that, “You a puppy who will inevitably move on
our foster home community’s support raise your child to be a self-sufficient to a career of service is a labor of love
throughout the challenges of 2020. person. It’s the same with Summit’s for which we are infinitely grateful.
Through the ups and downs, our puppies, in that you don’t want to hold If you would like to find out if you or
foster home program has continued to on to the leash forever. It’s in their somebody you know may be a good fit
thrive. We are overjoyed to report that DNA to grow up and do what they’re for fostering service dogs in training,
we had 57 foster homes throughout trained to do, and it’s our job to give please check out our volunteer page at
2020, helping us to raise and train them a great start and then let them summitdogs.org/volunteer.
a total of 42 puppies and dogs. In go when it’s time.” Our foster home We would like to recognize the
addition to our dogs in training, volunteers agree that handing over the following foster home volunteers
we have eight breeder dogs in foster leash is all worth it in the end when who have provided comfort, safety,
homes who help us provide the next they get to see a puppy they’ve helped training, and lots of fun for our service
generation of Summit puppies. raise and train graduate and change dogs in training throughout 2020.
Our mission to create life-changing the life of a Summit client. Fostering
partnerships between people and dogs
would not be possible without the
support of our amazing puppy raisers,
puppy sitters, and breeder caretakers.
Our foster home volunteers take
responsibility for our dogs at some
of their most critical life stages and
continually make sacrifices in order
to help us accomplish our goals. It
truly takes a village to get one dog to
graduation day, and our village never
lets us down.
Our foster home volunteers give so
much and ask for nothing (aside from
some puppy kisses) in return. Puppy
2020 Foster Home Volunteers
Analy Otero Diaz Christy and Dennis Jillian Anderson and Linda Clayton Nancy Nielsen
Annette Griffith Giddings Brett Page Lori Sprague Pam and Justin
Anni Campbell Dave Heller and Jim and Jo Anne Ciecko Lynne Jordan and Wendlandt
Anastasia Rotkina Norma Ford Joanne and Will Cady Dennis Clark Peg and Brad Bodin
Anita Tom and Patrick Dave Hult Jody Fox Marty Robinson Penny Potter
Wong Donna Sellers Judith Pile Mary Jo Andrak Rebecca Yueh
Barbara Karsch Donna Vaquer Justin Tolmer Michelle Peiker and Rick Anderson
Catherine Johnson Dylan Moline Kate Rowan family Rita Cooper
Catherine Troxel Erin Shiflett Kathleen Cole Michon Dowling Sally and Mike Hughes
Cheng Hsun Shih Geoff Gamsby and Kellee List Mona Zimerman Scottie Kuper
Cheryl Riedeman Alana Isiguen Kelly Clancy Monica and Andy Teresa McCoy
Indira Dhingra Keri Bambach Luedke and family Todd Bohle
Jenny Stapp Lauri Martin Nancy and Jim Sleeth Warryn and Matt Hill
Jessemine Fung and Linda Chapman Nancy Nicholas and
6 family family
Creating life-changing partnerships between people and dogs
Thank You Summit Supporters!
Thank you to our 1,500+ individual supporters and volunteers, as well as Marathon Petroleum South Everett Mukilteo
the following organizations who supported Summit Assistance Dogs in 2020: Corporation Rotary Club
Microsoft Corporation Special People in Need
2020 CORPORATE, MATCHING, ORGANIZATION, MyDoGood State Farm Companies
& FOUNDATION SUPPORTERS Northwest Obedience Foundation
AHT Insurance Coldstream Wealth Google Inc. Association Inc. Sterling Realty
Management Nysether Family Organization
Applied Materials Heritage Bank
Darwin’s Natural Pet Foundation Stillaguamish Tribe of
BECU Idex Health & Science Indians
Products Oak Harbor Lions Club
BMGI Group Leavitt Capital Swinomish Indian
Eckerson Group Companies PacificSource Health
Brighton Jones Plans Tribal Community
Cairncross & Electronic Arts (EA) Lions Club of
Parsec Financial Symetra Financial
Hempelmann Employees Community Anacortes
Fund of Boeing Management, Inc. The Northern Trust
Cascade Centers, Inc. M.J. Murdock Company
Evolucion Innovations Charitable Trust Patterson Foundation
Chevron Permobil Foundation Whidbey Community
Seattle Foundation Foundation
Board of Directors Staff
Kevin Corcoran Chris Blanchard Sue Meinzinger Lynne Jordan Melissa Mitchell
President Michael Hughes Founder/ Director of Philanthropy Trainer & Client Support
Brenda Walker Executive Director Emma Kouguell Mike Powers
Leslie O’Brien
Vice President Mark Bunje Development & Trainer
Preston Thompson Facilities Communications
Stephanie Drenchen Teresa McCoy
Treasurer Ray Vermillion Project Manager Associate Client Services Manager
Tracy Doering Rebecca Yueh Rita Cooper Lindy Langum Shelby Stiles
Secretary Administrative Manager Trainer Puppy Raising
and Dog Adoption Leanne Repetto Program Coordinator
Coordinator Trainer Donna Biringer
Kennel Technician
2020 Financial Results (FY 1/1/20 – 12/31/20)
INCOME: $697,417 EXPENSES: $628,232
Corporate Donations & Professional Services,
Grants, $159,510, 23% $82,266, 13%
Printing & Postage,
Program Service $17,463, 3%
Revenue, $8,410, 1%
Occupancy,
Other Income, $37,981, 6%
$41,954, 6%
Insurance,
$3,774, 1%
Foundation Grants,
$22,750, 3% Commmunications
& Misc., $21,668, 3%
Event Income,
$203,205, 29% Travel, Salaries,
$11,540, 2% $410,119, 65%
Individual Donations, Supplies,
$261,587, 38% $43,421, 7%
NOTE: This represents preliminary financial data that excludes depreciation expense and is subject
to further audit adjustments. Does not include capital campaign income and expenditures. 7
NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
MOUNT VERNON WA
PERMIT NO. 174
P.O. Box 699
Anacortes, WA 98221
Stay Connected with Summit through 2021!
THERE ARE NUMEROUS WAYS TO KEEP CONNECTED WITH SUMMIT, INCLUDING:
Our annual Unleash Your Love Be sure to follow Summit on social
giving event runs this year from media for updates, client stories,
April 6 – May 6, 2021. Join us for service dog training, cute puppies
a month of interactive virtual and more. Visit our Instagram and
activities culminating with a moving Facebook @summitassistancedogs!
finale program on Thursday, May
6, 2021. Interested in playing a key
role in creating life-changing service
dog partnerships via Unleash
Your Love? Visit summitdogs.
org/unleashyourlove for more
information.
JAMON IN FALL COLORS
Join the Summit community for our
monthly virtual yappy hour series!
Meet Summit dogs, trainers, and
clients as we dive into a range of
topics, from the specifics of service
dog training to the realities of
a service dog partnership. Visit
the Summit website for event HUMMEL SKIPPING THE MIDDLE MAN
information, and sign-up for our AND LEARNING DIRECTLY DURING
newsletter to receive the invitations PUPPY RAISER CLASS
in your inbox.
Contact Information
PHONE: (360) 293-5609 WEB: www.summitdogs.org E-MAIL: Info@summitdogs.org
MAIL: P.O. Box 699, Anacortes, WA 98221
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