Meet the Staff

ADMINISTRATION:

Robyn James

Robyn began her career at SDI in January, 2005 as the Executive Director. She came to SDI with over 20 years of fundraising experience from various St. Louis non-profits including: Shriners Hospital, The Churchill School, Good Shepherd School for Children, and Talking Tapes/Textbooks on Tape, to name a few. Prior to 2005, Robyn served on the SDI Board of Directors as a board member, Board Secretary and eventually, Board President. She is a member of the Junior League of St. Louis and a board member of the St. Louis President's Council. When Robyn is not busy at SDI, she and her husband are finishing rehabbing their 116 year old home.

Bill Dahlkamp

Bill has been with Support Dogs, Inc. since April 1998. He came to Support Dogs, Inc. with a strong background in non-profit organizations, implementing workplace literacy programs for an adult education program in Springfield, IL, and working for Illinois Special Olympics at their state offices in Normal, IL. Bill started as the education coordinator for Support Dogs and soon took on more responsibilities. Currently, he is the Director of Programs, responsible for all volunteer recruitment, service dog applications, PAWS for Reading, and educational presentations. "I feel very fortunate and honored to be part of this amazing organization. It is wonderful to meet and work with our volunteers and clients daily, seeing how their involvement with the organization improves and enriches their lives. There has been so many rewarding experiences for me thus far and I look forward to many more in the future."

Ann Weinerth

An animal lover since childhood, native St. Louisan Ann Weinerth joined Support Dogs, Inc. in July of 2006 as Director of Development. Ann's previous experience working at not-for-profit organizations includes 14 years as Zoo Friends Events Manager at the Saint Louis Zoo and Program Assistant- Asia Division at the American Soybean Association. Ann is married to Roger Weinerth and resides in St. Louis County. She has three grown sons, Mike, Andrew and Alex and only one family pet, a cat named Pookie. While the family recently lost their best friend, a yellow Labrador named Libby at 14 ½ years, Ann suspects it won't be long until another canine joins the pack!

Gayln Bratcher

Gayln has been a TOUCH volunteer, since 1996 and has brought 4 of her Labs through the TOUCH program, with 2 currently active, and another to start training soon. She has bred a few litters in which 6 pups have come to SDI to be trained as Service Dogs. She also does obedience classes on her own for companion dogs in the Jefferson County area. Gayln has over 25 years in banking and customer service and is SDI's new Office Administrator. She is looking forward to a long-term rewarding career at SDI. "I Love working with people and now I have the bonus of being around the dogs!"

TRAINING DOGS:

Janice Brennan

Janice has been a dog obedience instructor and trainer professionally since 1993. She started to work at SDI in 1999 as a service dog trainer. She is now the Director of Training and is responsible for the PAWS Prison Program at Federal Correctional Institute in Greenville Illinois and the Service Dog Program. She teaches service puppy class, the TOUCH classes and general obedience classes. With the help of dedicated volunteers and breeders, she procures pups for the programs and evaluates and certifies Service Dog Teams. "I really enjoy working with people and their dogs. It's wonderful to see what they can do for each other."

Cindi Blanke

Cindi grew up with a love of animals. She spent several years working in a vet clinic, kennels, and helping with the vets. Cindi has also been involved in the rescue community for the past 9 years, most of which has been with Golden Retrievers. In November 2001, her first TOUCH dog graduated from the TOUCH program and she entered the realm of ½ of a volunteer TOUCH team, she has since gone on to graduate 2 more dogs including my most recent graduate (Aug 2006) Hagrid. Cindi's original graduate, Sir Oliver Buckethead, is still visiting and enjoying it - he gets offended when Hagrid goes on TOUCH visits. Cindi and her dogs enjoys interacting with people. "I am very happy to be here doing what I love to do."

Katie Ruiz

Katie and her family became participants in the assistance dog industry when Katie was in elementary school. She and her family were volunteer puppy raisers for a guide dog school and helped to raise several dogs for that organization.

While attending college, Katie focused her studies on animal behavior. After graduating she continued her work with people and dogs at an organization that trains service dogs, which she did for several years before she joined Support Dogs, Inc. in January, 2007.

Elaine Lindhorst

Elaine has been training puppies and dogs in behavior and basic obedience for over 25 years for various schools and organizations in the New York and the St. Louis area, most recently for Kennelwood Village. Elaine has established herself as one of the top Dalmatian breeders on a national and international level, and was recognized in 1989 as the Top Breeder in the United States. She demonstrates her understanding of fine dog breeding, temperament and structure as an AKC approved show judge in 17 different breeds, and frequently serves as a columnist for the Dalmatian Quarterly publication. Elaine is a proud member of the Dalmatian Club of America, the Dalmatian Club of St. Louis, Three Rivers Kennel Club, American Dog Judges Association and the Greater St. Louis Dog Judges Association. Currently, she teaches service dog class for Support Dogs at the Federal Correctional Facility in Greenville, IL (and other SDI classes, as necessary).