Central College’s Central RED Society will present the “Puppy Jake Foundation” with Maggie Donovan during a virtual event at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. The event is free and can be accessed via Zoom.
Puppy Jake Foundation, located is Des Moines, is dedicated to improving the physical and emotional wellbeing of wounded military veterans through well bred, socialized and professionally trained service dogs. It selects, trains and places service dogs to assist men and women of the U.S. Armed Services in their homes and in the community. It believes no American hero should have to go it alone. The dogs provide independence and empower veterans with physical and invisible disabilities.
Donovan, part of the Puppy Jake team, graduated from Loyola University in Chicago with a degree in Spanish and ethics and moral philosophy and moved back to her hometown of Des Moines a year later. Her fondness for charitable work began when her dad started volunteering with the Salvation Army on a weekly basis and was encouraged by her mom, a retired administrator with the Des Moines Public Schools. Donovan’s love of Labrador retrievers comes from her last dog, a chocolate Lab mix named Biff. She and her husband reside in Des Moines with their bulldog, Boo.
Central RED (Ready to Engage and Discover) is a volunteer-driven, lifelong learning and social organization with an abiding partnership with Central College alumni and friends who wish to share knowledge, talents and experiences. Members pay $20 annually to join Central RED.
No affiliation with Central College is required to join Central RED. For more information, visit central.edu/red or contact Mary Benedict at benedictm@central.edu or 641-628-7641.