AIR Volunteer Spotlight: Yvonne Quinn and Packer

Yvonne Quinn had raised Packer from 7 weeks old to become a Seeing Eye dog. However, when he was sent back for his final training at 17 months old, Packer experienced gastrointestinal issues and could not complete his Seeing Eye education.

After Yvonne took Packer back home, she decided pet therapy would be a great “career change,” and that’s when she met Tricia Baker, co-founder of Attitudes in Reverse.

Tricia was their teacher and evaluator, and Packer passed his therapy dog training in April 2018. They immediately became an AIR Dogs Paws for Minds team.

“It sounded like something that I thought would be worthwhile,” recalled Yvonne. “There’s so much sadness and mental illness. If I can help in any way, I want to do it.”

Packer, a German Shepherd who just turned 3 years old in May, has the perfect temperament to perform therapy work, said Yvonne, He loves everyone and enjoys all types of visits from school programs and outdoor events to those for older residents at Artis Senior Living of Princeton Junction.

One of their most memorable visits was one of their most emotional. AIR therapy dogs were requested to offer support to families and friends after the death of a Hopewell Valley High School student.

“The dogs really helped the people, mostly the kids,” remembered Yvonne. “They just came over to the dogs and loved on them, and thanked us for coming.”

“It was heart-wrenching, but it made you glad that you were able to give some comfort in such a sad time,” she said.

When Packer and Yvonne aren’t on visits for AIR, they enjoy participating in classes for rally, agility, and going on other therapy visits.