Bio

Pat Nowak-Hairston is the Executive Assistant/Grant Writer for Carolina Canines. Before joining CCFS as a staff member in 2004, she was a key volunteer with the organization for two and a half years, assisting in the office, at events and coordinating volunteers. Her career started in the pharmaceutical industry with over 20 years experience in corporate America. She pulls from her expertise in project planning, management and operations to carry out the daily functions of CCFS.

Pat is heavily involved in the Therapy program as a registered Carolina Canines for Therapy team with her Airedale Terrier, Delta Mae and a Carolina Canines for Therapy Team Assessor. In 2007, she authored A Job for Arabella, the story of Arabella, a rescued pound puppy, who realizes her dream of becoming a service dog.

Speaking Topics

• Carolina Canines for Service – overview of the programs and services of Carolina Canines for Service
• Service Dog Program – overview of the core program providing people with disabilities quality trained service dogs
• Carolina Canines for Veterans – focused presentation about starting, conducting and maintaining the program providing wounded warriors service dogs trained at the Marine Corp Base Camp Lejeune, NC.
• Carolina Canines for Therapy-Benefits of Animals in Health Care Settings – educational opportunity for nursing homes, assisted living, rehabilitative facilities, hospitals and other care providers about incorporating animal assisted interventions into their business practices.
• Dogs, More Than Just Friends – comprehensive presentation about service animals including those for the visually impaired, hearing impaired, seizure assist and service dogs. Emphasis is on service dogs for the mobility impaired
• Service Dog Access – program designed for businesses to provide an overview of the service dog access laws to their employees. Outlines the American with Disabilities law, what businesses can ask and individual with a service dog, what they cannot ask, expectations of how situations can be handled. This presentation is designed for businesses dealing with the general public such as restaurants, hotels, and retail businesses

Prior Speaking Engagements:

• Myrtle Beach Rotary Club January 12, 2009
• Holly Tree Elementary January 26, 2009
• Eaton Elementary January 30, 2009
• Conway Rotary Club February 12, 2009
• Myrtle Beach 4-H Club February 23, 2009
• Gregory Elementary March 2, 2009
• Grace United Methodist Church Women's Group March 3, 2009
• Wilmington East Rotary March 9, 2009
• Shallotte Rotary April 9, 2009
• South Topsail After School Program strong> April 14, 2009
• NC Women's Sorosis Club April 20, 2009
• NC State Financial Aid Association April 21, 2009
• Susan Lanier's Class April 21, 2009
• Myrtle Beach Sunrise Rotary Club April 21, 2009
• Temple of Israel Sunday School May 3, /2009
• Little River Rotary Club May 6, 2009
• Cape Fear Lions Club May 18, 2009
• Elderhaus July 16, 2009
• Silver Stream Health & Rehab Center August 18, 2009
• Myositis Association September 11, 2009
• Community School of Davidson September 11, 2009
• Havelock Rotary Club October 8, 2009
• Myrtle Beach Optimist Club October 18, 2009
• St. James Service Club Presentation September 9, 2009
• Dolphin Aquatic Fitness After School Program October 30, 2009