Hosted by Marti Oakley & Sheree Evans
Susan Hinkle, Missouri Patriot Paws, Program Director
Susan first became involved in working with therapy dog by taking her own therapy dogs to local schools, nursing homes, medical facilities and the Fort Leonard Wood USO. Currently, Susan has two therapy dogs, a mixed retriever named Angus, who also does cart pulling, and Ranger, a Golden Retriever.
Susan Hinkle has been a Tester/Observer for Therapy Dogs Incorporated for the last 16 years. As a Tester/Observer, she has tested approximately 100 dogs that have become registered therapy dogs with Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Inc. The goal of Therapy Dogs Inc is to provide registration, support and insurance for members who are involved in volunteer animal assisted activities. These activities include, but are not limited to: visits to hospitals, special needs centers, schools, and nursing homes.
For the past five years Susan has been working with PTSD/TBI veterans and their service dogs. At first, Susan coordinated with service dog organizations located in Texas to help Missouri veterans. Then in 2013, she started the Missouri based organization, Missouri Patriot Paws (MPP).
If a veteran applies to MPP and does not have his/her own dog to be assessed for service dog work, Susan coordinates with the Missouri Department of Corrections “Puppies for Parole Program”, to find a suitable dog from their program. At this time, MPP has pulled seven dogs from this program and is extremely pleased with the dogs. Missouri Patriot Paws is proud of this connection with the Puppies for Parole Program.