Terry has been volunteering with Canine Companions since 1999, after she and her daughter were inspired by a newspaper article about a family raising a service dog puppy. Over the years, she has helped raise more than 15 puppies, participated in outreach and fundraising events, and taken on a leadership role in the South Florida chapter, supporting and mentoring new volunteers.
Terry’s journey with Canine Companions began in 1999 with a simple, but powerful, moment of inspiration. While reading an article in the Sun Sentinel about a family raising a service dog puppy, she saw an opportunity not only to give back, but to help her young daughter overcome a fear of dogs. Working in a veterinary hospital and already caring for animals at home, Terry felt drawn to the idea. The very next day, she and her daughter applied to become volunteer puppy raisers, marking the start of a lifelong commitment to our mission.
Over the past 25+ years, Terry has become a cornerstone of the Canine Companions community. She has helped raise more than 15 puppies, Marcie being their 16th, each one bringing new lessons, challenges and rewards. While she says they’ve “got it down to a science,” Terry embraces the uniqueness of every puppy, carefully tailoring training, socialization and attention to help each dog reach its full potential.
Six of Terry’s puppies have gone on to graduate, including her very first, who became a hearing dog. Attending that first graduation in Santa Rosa, California, was a defining moment and one that solidified her passion and deepened her connection to the organization. For Terry, there’s no greater highlight than seeing a dog she helped raise get matched with a person whose life will be forever changed.
Beyond puppy raising, Terry plays a vital leadership role in the South Florida Volunteer Chapter. She helps organize monthly meetings, coordinates newsletters and helps plan future initiatives, all while fostering a sense of community and engagement among volunteers. She’s also a dedicated mentor, sharing her experience and guidance with new puppy raisers and helping them navigate the rewarding (and sometimes challenging) journey. Terry is also a volunteer therapy dog evaluator, using her skills of puppy raising to help accredit and certify Canine Companions therapy dogs.
Terry is a familiar face at outreach and fundraising events across South Florida, including at DogFest, Paws for a Cause and other major expos. Whether tabling at events, speaking on radio shows, or simply walking a puppy in training, she uses every opportunity to educate others about the Canine Companions mission. As she puts it, the puppies are “a bridge,” helping people connect to and understand the impact of our work.
To Terry, volunteering is deeply personal. “It’s about giving a part of yourself to something bigger: helping others find independence, purpose and companionship,” Terry says. “It’s also about connection – with fellow volunteers, staff, graduates and the broader community. It makes you feel good inside.”
Looking ahead, Terry hopes to inspire even more people to get involved, have fun and help spread the word about Canine Companions. Through her unwavering dedication, leadership and heart, she embodies the very spirit of volunteerism.
