Canine Companions, the nation’s first and largest service dog organization, announced veteran public strategist Denise Michaels is joining the nonprofit’s Northeast Region advisory board.
“I’m enormously proud to be asked to offer my insights to support and advance the efforts of Canine Companions,” Denise said. “Their mission aligns closely with my deeply held belief that dogs can have a transformative power over the human experience. Adding the right Canine Companion service dog to the life of someone who is navigating physical or emotional challenges can be a complete game-changer, setting the stage for greater success and happiness. I’m excited by the vital possibilities and potential of serving alongside driven and committed board members as we introduce even larger audiences to what Canine Companions offers.”
Canine Companions is the largest national nonprofit provider of highly trained service dogs, placing over 7,000 dogs with adults, children, and veterans with disabilities.
Denise is a strategic sports and corporate communications, crisis, and player relations specialist with 20+ years at the Washington, DC, and New York-based firm Sanderson Strategies Group. She works with clients in professional sports and collegiate athletics, Fortune 1000 companies, charitable foundations, higher education, law firms, and advocacy groups to advance their interests with diverse audiences. While her experience goes way beyond sports, she’s honored to have worked with four MLB World Series Champions, two NBA Champions, and one NCAA National Football Champion during their winning seasons.
“We welcome Denise’s enthusiasm, dedication, and diverse expertise to Canine Companions. She’s worked with an array of powerhouse brands and helped some of the smartest organizations operate and tell their stories, said Eva LaMere, vice president of the board of the Northeast region of Canine Companions and president of Austin Williams, the award-winning New York advertising agency. “Our dogs spend their first two years in our program learning over 40 professional commands, empowering them to enhance the lives of individuals with very specific needs. I know Denise will help us create meaningful connection points in our ongoing quest to make more people aware of what we do and the resources we offer to our communities.”
About Canine Companions: Canine Companions is leading the service dog industry so our clients and their dogs can live with greater independence. Canine Companions provides service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings at no cost to clients. Established in 1975, Canine Companions has six regions across the country serving all 50 states. Learn more at canine.org.