"Success takes a village. No matter how independent your job may be, you never truly work alone. And your individual commitment is only one part of the equation. Everyone’s work facilitates or disrupts a team’s ability to reach their goals and objectives." - Elizabeth Perry, ACC
Key Staff
Executive Director
Linda Ball
Program Manager
Maddie Jensen
Program Coordinator
Lauren Schmitt
Director of Operations
Randy Patrick
Linda Ball
Executive Director
Working with our service dogs is pure magic: magic, for me, as well as the trainers, volunteers, and puppy raisers who watch the light bulbs light up in a puppy’s mind as they figure out how to open a door, turn on a light or go get help for their partner. The magic of seeing a service dog in-training ‘choose’ it’s partner and the difference it makes in the new partners life” – Linda Ball
Linda’s background includes an A.S. in Assistance Dog Education from Bergin University of Canine Studies, a B.A. in Speech Communications from the University of Minnesota, a M.S. in Experiential Education from Mankato State University and a mini-MBA in Non-profit
Management from the University of St. Thomas.
She has extensive experience in social services and educational systems. Linda was an Associate Lecturer at UWRF for Animal Science 389: Introduction to the Assistance Dog Industry and Training. She actively maintains connections within the assistance dog industry from her 18 years of experience in the assistance dog field.
Linda’s passion for serving others extends beyond her work at PawPADs. She served as a Country Director of GOAL Ireland, an International Aid Organization, in Bosnia, Kosovo and Honduras and she was a Peace Corps volunteer who developed and produced Mongolia’s first Mongolian Sign
Language Dictionary. Her dedication to international development also drove her to succeed with the rebuilding of schools, houses, and community centers in post-war Bosnia. She deeply believes that every experience holds immeasurable opportunities for growth and her goal is to facilitate that in others.
Maddie Jensen
Program Manager
Maddie, a 2017 graduate from University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) with a B.S. in Animal Science, began with PawPADs as a volunteer, then became an ADEPT intern and has been a fulltime employee since 2017. As a former ADEPT intern herself, she has a unique insight into the program participant aspect of PawPADs. As Program Manager, Maddie oversees the day-to-day management of the participants and dogs.
Additionally, Maddie assists with fundraising efforts and social media campaigns. Her expertise in dog training and instruction makes her an invaluable resource for the interns in the ADEPT program. Her dedication and passion for our mission is inspiring, and we are grateful for her hard work and commitment.
Lauren Schmitt
Program Coordinator
Lauren, also a UWRF graduate with a B.S. in Animal Science graduate, was an ADEPT intern for 3 years before becoming a full-time employee following her graduation. As the Program Coordinator, Lauren is responsible for the care and well-being of the dogs in the program, including training, grooming, enrichment, and playtime.
Her experience with ADEPT and her knowledge of dog behavior allows her to troubleshoot any challenges that may arise with the dogs. She is passionate about her work and dedicated to making a positive impact through PawPADs.
Randy Patrick
Director of Operations
Randy, PawPADs’ Director of Operations, has been with PawPADs for over 15 years. Randy helps in the day-to-day operations of keeping the training center maintained, the website running, and the van maintained while also helping to care for the dogs. Randy, along with Linda, his wife, has also
lived and worked in Bosnia, Kosovo, Central America, and Afghanistan, giving him a unique global perspective on the challenges facing our world today. With a B.A. in Business Administration and an A.A. in Criminal Justice, Randy brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role at PawPADs.
Who We Are: We're Volunteers
Angie Diehl
Board President and Constituent
- Website:http://linktr.ee/angieandruby
- Company/Affiliation:Freelance social media and marketing consultant.
- Group:Board Of Directors
Angie Diehl
Board President and Constituent
I have been blessed to experience firsthand the life-changing impact a PawPADs assistance dog can have on a person’s life. My daughter, Ruby, was placed with Charlie in 2020 and their partnership has forever altered her life in the most positive ways. Charlie is Ruby’s faithful companion, always there to lend a helping paw or a gentle hug when she needs it the most. This partnership—and so many others—would not be possible without the amazing leadership, staff, volunteers and student interns at PawPADs. I am beyond proud to be part of an organization with such an incredible mission.”
Ruby is a 19-year-old girl with a rare genetic disorder called Stromme Syndrome, which causes vision impairment, microcephaly, intestinal problems, slowed growth and developmental delays. Doctors said Ruby would not walk, talk or do much of anything at all, but she has proven them all wrong. She can see light and colors but she is not able to navigate in the community without help. Angie is Ruby’s momma and fearless advocate.
Angie and Ruby love recording videos of silly conversations and day-to-day activities. These videos motivate Ruby to try harder and make her laugh when she hears her own voice. Angie decided to start sharing these videos on Instagram, and apparently people really like them! One of Ruby’s videos went viral in May 2017 and has been viewed more than 500k times!
Angie and Ruby were never expecting this sudden attention, but they are excited to share their lives and journey with as many people as possible. They hope that their photos, videos and stories will bring joy to others and spread awareness of all of the special gems there are in this world.
Some of Ruby’s favorite things include Frozen, Frozen Fever, any other Disney movie, Elmo, playing Miracle League baseball, horseback riding, and Charlie (who is commonly featured in her Instagram videos). She also loves learning words in new languages and enjoys listening to Frozen’s Let it Go in 50 different languages! Someday, Ruby hopes to have a job working with animals. She is a self-professed “dog person,” just like her momma!
Connect With Me:
Alan Tenenholtz
Treasurer
- Company/Affiliation:President Bar Supply Division, BellBoy Corporation
- Group:Board Of Directors
Alan Tenenholtz
Treasurer
Before accepting a seat on the board of directors, I volunteered at PawPADs for more than 4 years. I initially decided to volunteer to give back and help others, but I immediately fell in love with the mission, philosophy and passion of the volunteers and directors of PawPADs. Year after year I have been committed to give more and more back while gaining much more from the experience than I ever expected.”
Linda Ball
Secretary
- Company/Affiliation:Pawsitive Perspectives Assistance Dogs (PawPADs) Founder and Executive Director
- Group:Board Of Directors
Linda Ball
Secretary
Facilitating success and life-changing experiences in others, whether they be human or canine, gives me the greatest joy. The impact that our dogs have on others is nothing short of magic – and being able to be a part of that, while maintaining the highest degree of ethical consideration for the dogs, is a source of pride.
Audrey Bergstrom
Director
- Company/Affiliation:Senior Operations Lead, R1 RCM Inc.
- Group:Board Of Directors
Audrey Bergstrom
Director
I attended a Partner Graduation by invite from PawPADs, witnessing the powerful bond of each dog placed with their partner was something I will never forget. It had a profound impact on me, and I knew I had found a way to make an impact in helping others. That brought me to volunteer every week for over 5 years before I joined the Board of Directors. It is an honor to have a part, however small, in the incredible journey this organization is on.”
Abby Peterson
Director
- Company/Affiliation:IEC Engineer-Project Engineering, Flint Hills Resources-Pine Bend
- Group:Board Of Directors
Abby Peterson
Director
I have been in the service dog industry for just over 10 years but PawPADs stood out almost immediately. From the dogs to the staff, PawPADs has been incredible to volunteer and learn with. Working with service dogs has always been my dream and after volunteering with PawPADs, I knew that this was the organization I wanted to give my everything to. The dedication and passion of the staff, volunteers, and directors to the mission is inspiring. Over my time volunteering, I have seen many lives being changed and impacted in the most positive ways. I am beyond honored to be able to be on the Board of Directors and help them achieve their mission.”
