Pawprints on Her Heart
FOR THREE DECADES, THIS WINTER PARK WOMAN HAS BEEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN HER COMMUNITY AND BEYOND AS A CANINE COMPANIONS VOLUNTEER
by Jill Duff-Hoppes
F or Nancy Baumann, there was simply no turning back once she started volunteering for Canine Companions. The national nonprofit organization, founded in 1975, provides greater independence to children, adults, and veterans with disabilities through the help of expertly trained service dogs, at no cost to the recipient. “It’s a very, very powerful circle of love that goes ‘round and ‘round,” says Nancy about why Canine Companions holds such a special place in her heart. “I’m very passionate and committed to the organization.” A Winter Park resident and dog lover, Nancy has been involved with Canine Companions in various capacities for
“The biggest question I always got was, ‘How do you give them up?’ And my answer always was, ‘You truly are giving your heart away on a leash,’” says Nancy. “But rather than cry about giving them up, you’re so joyful about the life that they’re going to have, and that you’ve had such a part in it.” Nancy ranks her experiences as a puppy raiser as some of her fondest memories. Her first Canine Companions puppy was Isaac, which her son Ross helped raise as his bar mitzvah project. In addition to her son’s bar mitzvah party, Nancy threw a bark mitzvah for Isaac, who went on to have a successful career as a service dog.
Longtime Canine Companions volunteer Nancy Baumann, and a cute puppy, with singer Kenny Loggins at a fundraising gala for the organization.
A Dream Come True “When you get that phone call that your dog has been matched [with a client],” Nancy says, “it’s pretty high up there with your big joys in life.” Currently, Nancy’s house is also home to Chandra and Heaven, both Canine Companions change-of-career dogs, meaning they were released from the organization’s training program for various reasons. Instead of working as service dogs, they now do therapy work in the community. In addition to her time spent as a puppy raiser, Nancy has introduced friends and community leaders to the organization who have become volunteers and supporters. Nancy also helped launch the Southeast Region’s annual fundraising gala
30 years. She is on the board of directors for the organization’s Southeast Region and for a time served as its president. Her first job was stuffing envelopes as an administrative volunteer at the Southeast Regional Center, which at the time was housed in a small warehouse in Altamonte Springs. “I checked them out while they were checking me out,” recalls Nancy, who quickly fell in love with the organization and its mission. Nancy became a puppy raiser, going on to raise eight dogs for the organization. Puppy raisers care for Canine Companions dogs for the first 18 months of their lives, teaching them basic commands and providing love and socialization until it is time for them to leave for professional, advanced training.
18 J LIFE | FALL 2025
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