My Nonprofit Reviews

Our incredible journey of working with North Star began almost 3 years ago when I read about North Star in the Council for Exceptional Children newsletter. If there was ever a life-changing moment, that was one. In my soul, I knew that our daughter could benefit from a deep and meaningful relationship with the kinds of dogs that were described in the article. What I didn't know, at that time, was the extent of thought, dedication, caring, wisdom, and commitment that Patty's brings to North Star s a foundation, the dogs, and the families with whom she works. I called her, she listened. And then she asked thoughtful and challenging questions. In fact, she talked with me on the phone and via email a number of times, getting to know us, getting to know our daughter Lily. We applied for a North Star dog and on a day when it seemed that every member of "the village" that was helping to raise Lily had let us down, there was a message on our voicemail: "I am bringing Lily a puppy." Patty's care and involvement continued through the birth and puppy testing of Rosie's litter, to the puppies' socialization before she got to us, to the trip to our home in California, to the sensitive and excellent trainer we were assigned and throughout the two and a half years we have had our North Star dog, Popsicle. North Star, Patty, and Popsicle have never let us down but instead are a constant and invaluable gift. I believe our daughter has learned to experience love and empathy in meaningful, healthy, and rewarding ways. She has become more empathetic, solid and strong. She has a growing sense of her own self-worth amidst the tumultuous journey of a childhood confused by prenatal toxins and critically high stress. And a growing sense of competency as she helps groom, train, and take care of Popsicle. Patty and North Star are a part of our lives and our family. We could not ask for more.

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