Feb 10, 2025
For people with disabilities, leading an independent life can be an extraordinary challenge—at any age. But one proven way to help the disabled lead lives with greater independence is through the companionship of service dogs. In today’s episode, we talk with Dorian Stern, the director of philanthropy for the Northeast region of Canine Companions, a national nonprofit organization that provides remarkable, highly trained service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities. Now in its 50th year, Canine Companions offers services at no cost to qualified individuals. Dorian, a self-described “altruistic cheerleader,” will describe how various programs work, how dogs are trained, and the various roles and services they can provide. She’ll also explain ways people can get involved with the organization, from becoming a puppy raiser to volunteering for events, like Dogfest.
About the Guest:
Dorian Stern is the Director of Philanthropy for the Northeast region of Canine Companions, a national nonprofit organization that provides service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings. In her role, Dorian identifies, cultivates and partners with individuals, foundations and corporate partners who wish to further the kinship between Canine Companions’ remarkable, highly trained dogs of and their new owners. An inventive, dynamic executive, she has applied her talents in marketing and sales from the corporate sector to the nonprofit area, specializing in donor relations, grants, fundraising, strategic analyst, and community organizing.
Thanks to advances in medicine and health, most of us are just at half-life when we reach our mid-40s, with many potentially productive years ahead. But there’s no road map to prepare us for this period. That’s where 45 Forward comes in. My show provides you with strategies to shift the traditional waiting-for-retirement model to a journey of compelling life chapters. Each show tackles an aspect of health, finance, family and friends, housing, work and personal pursuits as part of an integrated plan. Experts discuss topics like revitalizing relationships, creating mini-retirements, managing the maze of technology, finding your next homestead and caring for aging parents. The show instills confidence, and hopefully some comfort, amid the stresses permeating today’s society. Fear of the future is not knowing how to prepare for it. 45 Forward does not proffer prefabricated answers, but helps you shape your life amid the daily anxieties of our time.