"Strengthening the canine-human connection through education and compassionate Interactions"
About Us
Our Mission Statement
Helping Idaho Dogs, Inc is dedicated to serving the community through pet-assisted therapy and improving the quality of the canine-human relationship through education.
Our Principles and Values
It is our belief that education and proper resources provide Idaho citizens the ability to make informed choices about their canine's life. Through therapy dog visits we bring comfort to Idahoans in need. We deliver educational opportunities to all social and economic groups within our community. Our events promote learning opportunities for our community. We provide humane education to children to develop safe, responsible, and compassionate relationships with canines.
To ensure continued success and longevity of Helping Idaho Dogs, our board of directors are committed to managing the finances of our non-profit organization ethically and responsibly. All of our volunteers respect and recognize each other's individuality and merits.
All of our volunteers are dedicated to expanding their knowledge and strengthening their understanding of the canine world.
2023 Board of Directors
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Carole Kelly, Executive Director - Carole joined HIDi as Executive Director in January 2021. She has over 30 years as a Alliance of Therapy Dogs tester/observer, trainer, volunteer leader, and therapy team experience.
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Diana Rick, Assistant Director - Diana and Kirby joined Helping Idaho Dogs in 2020. She has a background in pet therapy and organization management. She has one therapy dog.
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Bonnie Lind, Secretary - Bonnie joined the Board as Secretary in November, 2022. Bentley is her fourth therapy dog.
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Michelle Morris, Treasurer - Michelle joined Helping Idaho Dogs in 2019 as Treasurer. She brings experience in bookkeeping and non-profit management. Michelle has two therapy dogs.
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Pat Gieseke, Member at Large - Pat is an active pet therapy volunteer with her second therapy dog.
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Shannon Kessler, Member at Large - Shannon brings experience in hospice care and social services . She has one therapy dog who goes with her to work.
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Caitlin Reicks, Member at Large - Caitlin joined Helping Idaho Dogs in 2019 and has a background in non-profit organizations. She has one therapy dog.
2023 Program Managers
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Community Events Program Manager - Caitlin Reicks coordinates with event requesters to provide the therapy dog teams and environment to enhance the Community Events we attend.
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Community Events Asst. Program Manager - Shannon Kessler
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Therapy Dog Program Manager - Michelle Morris coordinates with facilities that would like an ad hoc or recurring therapy dog visits working with our therapy dog teams to meet the facility visits requirements.
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Humane Education Program Manager - Carole Kelly coordinations with schools, libraries, and local organizations to provide a tailored presentation about basic dog needs, body language, and experience in successful human-canine interactions.
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Humane Education Asst. Program Manager - Dawn Justice Dawn specializes in providing humane education program for k-4 grade children.