Panther "The Influencer"

“The Influencer”

Once upon a time, I knew nothing about Service Dogs until I was put on a 10-year waiting list for one and sent home to die.

Panther became my first privately trained Service Dog around 1997. I rescued her at 8 months old when the unwanted runaway licked my painful leg then jumped into my truck. Our unique pairing led us on a 14-year special medical rollercoaster journey. interwoven with mutual love. With Panther’s help, I survived multiple devastating illnesses stemming from birth & worsened by relentless storms of stress. After poor prognoses years later, this pawsome Shiba Inu/Husky Mixed rescue alerted me to volatile chemicals in my breath. That particular event was an indication of breast cancer, which I also survived. Panther became the very best Assistance Dog I ever had.  Because of this s"ent" canine, I developed reasons to smile again,  pull myself up,& will to live. As my physical & emotional healings began to take hold, I learned to walk again.  I'm very proud of our arduous journey, which is written in my book named after her.

Together, we educated many children in schools with our "Panther & Me Service Dog presentations. After my Pan Pan succumbed to lung cancer, I became overwhelmed with gratefulness from her life of sage dedication. It became my life's mission to educate the world about the healing influence of Service Animals. 12 Paws Foundation was born! 

 During my wheelchair & homebound era, Panther saved my life in many ways!

Panther Naiomi Star, the influencer & legend, started it all!