The DuPage Paws for People Story

In the 2012-2013 school year, a few therapy dog teams voluntarily visited two School Association for Special Education in DuPage County (SASED) vision-impaired classrooms. In 2014, Sláinte, a black female cocker spaniel therapy dog, and Charlotte began visiting vision-impaired students with Nicole DiGiacomo’s mentoring, after her husband, also a veterinarian, recruited them because Sláinte shared these students’ vision challenges.

Therapy dog Slainte wearing pink glasses and a bib that identifies her as a blind dog.

One of Charlotte’s favorite moments was when, because of her waning sight, Sláinte had to wear hot pink safety goggles to protect her eyes outside. One boy had new glasses but refused to wear them during class. Charlotte told him that Sláinte didn’t like her safety glasses either. So, they made a deal that if he wore his glasses, Sláinte would wear hers. They went nose to nose checking out each other’s glasses and then Sláinte kissed him. Lincoln wore his glasses for the rest of class because Sláinte kept hers on too.

Because of this connection with Lincoln and Sláinte, Charlotte wanted to help more students and involve more therapy dog teams in these needed loving moments.

Our few teams visiting two schools developed further in 2015 to DuPage Paws for People when we added more schools, recruited more teams, and together we adopted our name and mission. Over the years, we’ve felt grateful and lucky that we have found so many teams who share our passion for visiting these sweet students.

The 2023-2024 school year brought more growth for us in welcoming more teams, expanding our visits to include hearing-impaired classrooms, becoming an Illinois nonprofit corporation and IRS approved 501c3 charity, and welcoming our volunteer Board Members Dr. Nicole DiGiacomo & Ann Sassano & Charlotte Keane.

Our Wonderful Therapy Dogs

Therapy dog Anela sitting while wearing a rainbow bow.

Therapy dog Fiesta at work with students.

Therapy dog Jango at work with students.

Therapy dog Kualani sitting while wearing a pink bow.

Therapy dog Maisie in a field of flowers.

Therapy dog Myla sitting in a field of leaves.

Therapy dog rowan poses in front of the .camera with a harness on

Therapy dog Sweetie working in a school.

Therapy dog Teagan in a blue bandana that says “teacher’s pet”.

Therapy dog Tula sitting while wearing a bandanna.

Meet Our Board Members

Get a chance to know our board members, and their stories involving our wonderful service dogs.

Dr. Nicole DiGiacomo

My affiliation with DuPage Paws for People began in 2013 when I certified my terrier, Lollie, as a Therapy Dog through Therapy Dogs International. We began volunteering in a reading program for students at Albright Middle School in Villa Park. I found our work together brought excitement and anticipation to the children each week and I was enthusiastic to have the special opportunity to volunteer at the middle school I attended as a child. I recognize that there is a special relationship that humans share with dogs, and I am in favor of participation of formally trained dogs assisting, supporting and serving humans in public settings. I currently own a Labrador named Silver. As a team, Silver and I are certified as a therapy team through Pet Partners. We volunteer monthly at the READ program for kids at Elmhurst Library. We also participate in dog sport activities including Nose-Work. I volunteered as a puppy raiser for the national service dog organization, Canine Companions for Independence from 2018-2020. I have owned multiple German Shorthair Pointers, as well as mixed breed dogs. My day job involves practicing veterinary medicine and surgery at DuPage Animal Hospital in Villa Park. My professional interests overlap with my personal interests in learning about animal behavior. As part of my professional continuing education, I am certified as a Fear Free Veterinary Professional ensuring that my patients receive the most considerate, safe, and current handling care when they are in my practice. My own dogs, as well as thousands of canine patients, have helped me to understand how genetics and breeding influence behavior and learning. I am excited and optimistic about the future for DuPage Paws for People, as its handler and specially trained dog teams work to support students and teachers in our community.

Ann Sassano

In 2015 I retired after an over thirty-year career in public school education. I was a Special Education teacher in a variety of school districts for twenty-three years and I had the honor of serving as Department Chair for Special Services at Downers Grove South High School for my last ten years. Upon my retirement, my husband Paul decided I needed a companion to help me transition to my post-teaching life. We welcomed Tula, a rambunctious Goldendoodle, into our family. As she grew, I decided to combine my love for teaching, children, and Tula. Thus began our journey as a therapy dog team. We had successful training to become certified through Pet Partners and we were ready to begin our adventure. We discovered DuPage Paws for People. Since 2018 we have visited every classroom that serves students with special needs in the DuPage Paws for People network. This has been an incredibly joyful and enriching experience for everyone. Tula greatly looks forward to these visits, as do I. Also, she does a great job interacting with the students and they enjoy her immensely. It gives me great pleasure to be able to use my experience as an educator and leader to provide value to students and I am looking forward to serving as a member of the board for DuPage Paws for People.

Charlotte Keane

My career continues to evolve from marketing, management, and project management in the lighting industry then crossed over into the nonprofit world working for a national domestic hunger relief organization to currently working with my husband Tom building homes as Trinity Home Developers. I have an MBA with a dual emphasis in marketing and management. And I completed a Certificate in Nonprofit Management covering Board Governance, Finance, Fundraising, Marketing, Operations, and Strategic Planning. Tom and I enjoy and love adventures with our two grandchildren and their wonderful parents. We were lucky to have Sláinte for 14 years. And we are lucky again to be enjoying Berkeley, a Havanese puppy in training in our family. Even though Sláinte is gone, I want to continue the work we started together. I am excited for DuPage Paws for People’s continued growth helping more registered therapy dog teams visit vision-impaired and hearing-impaired students in our community because our therapy dogs’ unconditional love does positively affect these students.

Honoring Our Previous Members

We would like to thank our previous therapy dog members. Their service has meant everything to both our team and the hearts of those they have touched.

Former therapy dog Cali looks at camera.

Former therapy dog Diva lays on the ground and wears a leash.

Former therapy dog Ginger sits while wearing a pink bandana.

Former therapy dog Harvey lays down on the ground.

Former therapy dog Honey sits on the ground while being held by a pink leash.

Former therapy dog Kayley sits on the ground while looking up at the camera.

Former therapy dog Kirby sits while looking at camera.

Former therapy dog Klau looking at the camera.

Former therapy dog Lollie looking at the camera.

Former therapy dog Lyla sits on the ground with big smile and looks at the camera.

Former therapy dog Luna being petted while looking up at the camera.

Former therapy dog Maggie laying down while being held by a red leash.

Former therapy dog Oggi sitting while wearing a leash with a ladybug pattern on it.

Former therapy dog Regal sits on the ground with mouth open.

Former therapy dog Remi being held and looking at the camera.

Former therapy dog Roscoe sits on the ground with tongue out.

Former therapy dog Sheldon sits on the ground and tilts head.

Former therapy dog Slantie sits in a hallway held by a white leash.

Former therapy dog Theo sits on the ground.

Former therapy dog Tiger sits on the ground with tongue out and looks at the camera.