Giving back to our community

Thank you to our customers, volunteers, partner businesses and the non-profits we support who enrich our community.

Together, in the past 10 years, we have raised more than $85,000 in support of organizations including Friends of Pets, American Lung Association’s Clean Air Challenge, Hope Community Resources, Hurricane Katrina Relief in Texas, Puerto Rico and Florida, Homer Animal Friends, Friends of Valdez Animal Shelter, Polar Pug Rescue and Friends, Bird TLC, Puppy Up Alaska cancer research, Portraits on the Porch, Bird Treatment and Learning Center (Bird TLC), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School, Lubavitch Jewish Center of Alaska, Paws at the Table/The Normandy Project, Kitty & K9 Connection and, most recently, Maui Humane Society, Seattle Humane Society, private, public and charter schools, and individuals in need of a helping hand. These donations and events happen under the umbrella of the studio’s It’s Important to Paws program.

While most of our portrait events focus on dogs, they also support shelters for women, children and men; individuals, public, private and charter schools; animal care organizations; church, non profit and youth activities.

Perhaps the most significant accomplishment is my studio’s partnership with Friends of Pets. Since 1989, I’ve photographed more than 2,000 abandoned dogs and cats who, thanks to the volunteers of Friends of Pets, have been placed in forever homes.

Customers who support my studio and staff make these community actions possible.

Art Exhibits:

Another way we reach out is by hosting art exhibits at hospitals, medical offices, veterinary hospitals, senior housing communities and more. Great thanks to each location that allows me to display donated artwork featuring animal companions and their people. Over and over, I hear how the images have improved someone's day when they or their loved ones are not having the best of days. 95% of the costs covered by the studio with thanks to our customers and those who have supported my studio and the It’s Important to Paws book projects.

Thank you to my art exhibit partners across Anchorage and Alaska including but not limited to:

- Providence Hospital Radiology and Cancer Center
- Providence Lab Patient Services (3 locations) 
- Alaska Heart and Vascular Center - Waiting lobby
- Alaska Heart and Vascular Center - Congestive Heart Failure Center
- Alaska Heart Center - Surgical Center (Providence)
- Providence Hospital - Horizon House
- Hillside Veterinary Clinic
- Cook Inlet Housing Authority - Centennial Village
- Cook Inlet Housing Authority - Coronado Park
- Pet Emergency Services
- Alyeska K-9 Trainers
- Alaska Dog Sports

- Homer Animal Friends Shelter
- Alaska SPCA Adoption Center
- New: Anchorage Veterinary Clinic and Urgent Care

It’s Important to Paws Coffee Table Books

Around town, you may find copies of my four coffee table books from the It’s Important to Paws series. We have a few remaining at the studio including:

• It’s important to Paws (Gold Medal - Independent Publishers International - 2014)

• When Age Has No Leash (2015) - SOLD OUT

• Puppy Me with Love (2017)

• Paws on the Trail (2017) - SOLD OUT

Proceeds from the sales of these books support many organizations throughout Alaska and beyond.

Dog Stroller Loaner Program

For more than a decade, I’ve offered a dog stroller program that helps families who have dogs with mobility limitations. The large strollers, donated by friends of the studio, are compatible for dogs of most sizes. They are available for free. I only ask that families return the strollers when no longer needed. They are ideal for senior dogs, tripod dogs and pups who are recovering from surgery procedures. Often, families are concerned that their dog might not adapt well to using a stroller. That is quickly dispelled after a test run around the studio’s neighborhood. Dogs absolutely love being able to ‘cruise’ while smelling the fresh air in their face and being with their favorite humans in the outdoors as they deserve.

It’s easy to borrow your stroller. Just call (907) 868-1680