Volunteer Spotlight: Calli

Meet Jennifer Voight and her dog, Calli, an abbreviated name for "Callaway." They are two of our Pet Therapy Program Volunteers.

Jen was raised in Mansfield, Ohio, and graduated from Ontario High School. She then continued her education at the University of Cincinnati, graduating with a degree in Early Childhood Education. While working as a teacher in Cincinnati, Jen met her husband, Dave, and they married in 1996. Together, they raised two sons, Jacob and Zach.

The family moved to Erie County, where Jen taught preschool and third grade at Huron City Schools. She joined Firelands Montessori Academy as a reading specialist. Jen left teaching to become a content writer for n2y, an organization providing global special education solutions to enrich lives and empower achievement in special education students.

Jennifer Voight and her dog, Calli.

Jen eventually retired and started looking for something to fill the void of connecting with others. She began volunteering because she wanted to follow in her parents' footsteps. Volunteering is a way of life in Jen’s family. Her father served as chairman of the board of MedCentral Health in Mansfield, Ohio, and helped expand the hospital's services. Her mother still volunteers at many places in Mansfield, including her church.

While on vacation with a friend, Jen shared pictures of Calli from the breeder’s website. “I had been looking at pictures of Calli on this website since she was born,” remembers Jen. “My friend told me just to get her!

Dave and I picked her up one month before I had shoulder surgery. At that moment, I knew there was something special about her,” says Jen. Calli was gentle with me even as a puppy during my shoulder surgery recovery.”

Jen wanted Calli to be well-trained, so she took her to Lake Erie Dogs. There, Calli received the training she needed to be a therapy dog.

Now, Jen and Calli visit Firelands Health weekly. “I love seeing the joy on patients and employees when interacting with Calli,” says Jen. People will tell me that they needed that visit from Calli.

It makes Calli equally as happy. I tell her we are going to work, and she runs to the car. It’s her favorite day of the week.”