2021 Jack Warnock Award Honoring Outstanding Volunteerism

Portrait of Kathy Zastrow sitting between two dogs with yellow Canine Companions vestsIn 2000, our national board of directors established a national volunteer award given yearly to one volunteer from each of our six regions. The highest honor is the Canine Companions Jack Warnock Award, a tribute to longtime volunteer and graduate Jack Warnock. This prestigious award acknowledges exceptional volunteerism at Canine Companions. We are pleased to recognize the 2021 Jack Warnock Award winner, volunteer Kathy Zastrow of El Dorado Hills, California, as well as congratulate the five regional winners.

Kathy has dedicated nearly 30 years of her life to the mission of Canine Companions, devoting countless hours as a puppy raiser, breeder caretaker, founding chapter member, fundraiser, event organizer and presenter. In the late 1980s, Kathy read a newspaper article and thought Canine Companions was something her family could do together. Kathy is currently serving her 16th year on the Northwest Region board, raising her 28th puppy and is caring for her third breeder dog, Albert.

Congratulations to our winners:
Northwest Region – Kathy Zastrow, Jack Warnock Award
Northeast Region – Jackie McCool
North Central Region – Kevin Cullen, Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Southeast Region – Mary Ashlyn Theide
South Central Region – Dawn Thompson
Southwest Region – Susan Ryan, M.D.

Read more about the Jack Warnock Award winners across the country at canine.org/warnock