2020 Jack Warnock Award Winners and National Board of Directors Regional Volunteer Award

Canine Companions^® has had amazing volunteers since our founding in 1975. Twenty years ago, the national board of directors established the Canine Companions Jack Warnock Award. Created in honor of longtime volunteer and graduate Jack Warnock, this prestigious award honors volunteerism at Canine Companions. Each year, Canine Companions receives nominations from each of our six regions for individuals who show outstanding volunteerism. We are pleased to honor our 20th Jack Warnock Award winner, volunteer Chris Newbern of Conroe, Texas, along with the five national regional volunteer award winners. Chris graduated from the South Central Region in 2018 with Service Dog Powers, and recognized a need for a volunteer chapter in his area. Chris founded the Gulf Coast Chapter and is a tireless advocate for Canine Companions. Learn more about the positive impact Chris and the other nominees have made to keep the Canine Companions mission moving and the heart and soul that each has invested along the way. Learn more about Chris and all our region volunteer winners below.

Chris Newbern (Winner) – South Central Region

Chris Newbern, an extraordinary Canine Companions volunteer in Texas has had a significant and measurable impact in the South Central Region. Read more about Chris.

Janet (Jan) Ellis – Northwest Region

In 1995, Jan Ellis walked into the original Canine Companions facility on Sebastopol Road in Santa Rosa, California and never looked back. Click here to read more about Jan.

Stacey Johnson Lucchino – Northeast Region

Stacey Lucchino and her family have been avid supporters of Canine Companions since 2001 when she and her husband Larry witnessed first-hand how a service dog can change the life of a person with disabilities. Click here to read more about Stacey.

Carol and Read Miller – Southwest Region

Carol and Read Miller have been supporters of Canine Companions for over 10 years. Carol’s relationship with Canine Companions began when she was asked by a fellow volunteer, Marilyn Mikes to accompany her to bathe dogs on campus. Read more about Carol and Read.

CJ and Vickie Smith – Southeast Region

Vickie and CJ Smith are the true definition of optimism and positivity. When their daughter was going away to college, they knew they wanted to take the extra time they would have and use it to make a difference in someone else’s life. Read more about CJ and Vickie.

Tom Clements – North Central Region

Tom Clements connected with Canine Companions through one of our graduate teams in 2013. He quickly became passionate about the mission and got involved in the organization as a donor and volunteer. Read more about Tom.