June Newsletter, 2026

A new treasure at Treasure House: Meet Trey 

Trey was recently placed at the Treasure House in Phoenix. Treasure House is a nonprofit organization founded by former St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner and wife Brenda Warner. Its mission is dedicated to empowering young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) as they transition into adulthood.

Trey's handler is Lauri Tanner who also serves as CEO. Since joining the Treasure House family, Trey has made an incredible impact on residents, staff, and the community as a whole. With his gentle, loving temperament and naturally calming presence, he brings comfort, connection, and joy to everyone he meets. Residents have quickly fallen in love with his sweet and cuddly personality, and he has already become a meaningful part of daily life.

Lauri shares "It has been especially heartwarming to watch Trey alongside Murphy, the retiring CHAMP dog, as the two share a special bond while providing companionship and support to residents. Trey’s affectionate and intuitive nature has made a lasting impression—and even inspired a new nickname: “Treysure House,” a fitting tribute to how much of a treasure he has become to the community."

Everyone at Treasure House is deeply grateful to those who played a role in Trey’s training and journey. The love, care, and dedication poured into him are evident every day, and his future impact is sure to be extraordinary.

Trey was placed on April 3, 2026 and puppy raised by Dolly Molloy.  

Paws, play ball & Tarps Off

Training a service dog means preparing for every kind of environment—even the roar of a stadium crowd. Service dog-in-training Kenai recently took on that challenge at a St. Louis Cardinals game, practicing poise and adaptability while experiencing the excitement of a day at Busch Stadium. From checking out the new Tarps Off fan phenomenon to visiting Yadi’s bobblehead—just to name a few highlights—Kenai took in all the sights, sounds (including homerun fireworks) and energy with calm confidence. This future service dog proved she’s more than ready to handle whatever comes next, one memorable outing at a time. Kenai’s puppy raiser is Jill Taylor. 

A full-circle journey in puppy raising: Meet service dog-in-training Denali’s family

Longtime CHAMP supporters Matt Maxfield and Ally Favre have been part of the CHAMP family since 2009, dedicating their time to puppy raising, fostering, and volunteering through CHAMP’s therapy dog program. Their journey began with Lina, a beloved Labradoodle from the 2009 Cardinals litter who became a cherished therapy dog serving children at the Delta Gamma Center and residents at a local retirement home. After Lina’s passing last year, Matt and Ally felt called to open their hearts once again—this time sharing the puppy-raising experience with their daughters, Vida and Rosalina.

Enter service dog-in-training Denali, a playful and affectionate pup from CHAMP’s national parks litter. Since joining the Maxfield family, Denali has brought laughter, energy, and plenty of puppy antics—along with lots of cuddles. She’s already making impressive progress in her training, mastering leash walking, recall, and settling in at home, all while charming neighbors, friends, and even coworkers during visits to Matt’s office.

For the Maxfields, puppy raising has become a true family and community effort—and a deeply rewarding way to support CHAMP’s mission. Their advice to future puppy raisers: “Be patient. The long nights at the beginning feel like distant memories now. Their progression is impressive, and the staff, trainers, and other puppy raisers provide such an uplifting support network.”

Reflecting on their years with CHAMP, Matt & Ally describe the experience as deeply rewarding and full circle. “Being able to be part of the CHAMP mission has been a worthwhile investment — raising pups, interacting with staff, visiting the prison program, and seeing the meaningful work these dogs accomplish by caring for and supporting those they serve.”

SDiT Denali at 9 weeks old — a squeak, a wag and a whole lot of joy

Save the date—CHAMP 2026 Gala

The magic between a CHAMP dog and their human starts with you. Yours is the friendship that makes all others possible. Join us for an evening featuring silent and live auctions, a seated dinner, and an opportunity to see how many lives we can change, together.

Saturday, September 19

Cocktail reception - 6:00pm

Dinner & program - 7:00pm

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa, St. Charles

1 Ameristar Blvd.

St. Charles, 63301

Contact Robin Wood at robin.wood@champdogs.org or (314) 485-1264, ext. 302 for more information.

Basic obedience classes

CHAMP’s basic obedience class is open to everyone. Whether you’re brushing up on your dog’s training, preparing for the CHAMP therapy dog program, or enrolling in your very first obedience class, this course offers a supportive and engaging environment for you and your pup. Dogs and handlers of all experience levels are welcome.

Class schedule

July 11 – August 29

Sept. 5 – October 31 (no class 9/19)

Classes meet on Saturdays from 1- 2pm and 2:30-3:30pm.

$250 for the 8-week class

Limit: 8-10 dogs

For more information or to register, contact Christina Rustenhaven, assistance dog trainer, at (314) 485-1264, ext. 303 or christina.rustenhaven@champdogs.org.

From the vet: bee sting basics—what every dog owner should know

Encounters between dogs and bees happen all the time—especially with curious pups who love to chase anything that buzzes. In most cases, a sting is a minor, short‑lived issue. But every so often, it can turn into something more serious.

Knowing how to tell the difference—and how to respond—can make a real impact on your dog’s safety.

Most stings resolve quickly with simple care. The key is spotting when something isn’t typical, especially signs of an allergic reaction or any indication that your dog’s airway may be affected. Those situations can escalate fast.

If you’re ever unsure, reaching out to your veterinarian is always a reasonable step. When it comes to breathing issues or allergic reactions, early action is far better than waiting.

This segment was provided by Dr. Kelvin Urday at Cottleville Animal Hospital. Dr. Urday offers a 20% discount on services to all CHAMP dogs, not just service dogs in training, but therapy dogs as well. Phone: (636) 317-1277

Therapy dog graduation

Comfort on four paws: Q & A with therapy dog teams

Julie Palmer with Jules

How long have you been a CHAMP volunteer?

Jules and I graduated in August 2022. My interest in therapy dog work began years earlier. In 2014, my late husband spent several months at Siteman Cancer Center, where therapy dog visits lifted his spirits in a powerful way.



What is your dog's name, age, breed?

Jules is a Samoyed

Is this your first therapy dog (TD), or have you had others?

Jules is my first TD CHAMP dog.

Where do you do visits with your TD?

Our first therapy dog visit was at Goldfarb Nursing in fall 2022. Since then, we’ve completed onboarding at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Siteman Cancer Center, Saint Louis University Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital. She thrives in busy hospital environments and calmly ignores loud noises and machines as she focuses on patients.

We now spend most of our time at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where departments regularly invite us to visit staff and patients. Over the years, I’ve learned therapy dogs don’t just help patients—they also brighten the days of nurses, doctors, custodians, security staff and visitors. Hearing someone say, “She made my day,” never gets old.

Is there a particular experience that is memorable—humorous, touching, emotional?

We often do end-of-life visits and, over time, get to know patients and their families. Jules brings comfort during some of their hardest moments. We also spend time with heart transplant patients and love seeing them recover and eventually leave the hospital healthy again.

We’ve spent the last three Thanksgivings and Christmases visiting patients who didn’t have family nearby. Recently, we reached 800 volunteer hours at Barnes, and I couldn’t be prouder of Jules. Sharing her love and comfort with others has become one of the most meaningful parts of my life.

What advice do you have for someone new to volunteering with their dog?

I am fortunate to have a gentle, outgoing dog who thrives in hospital environments. One of the best pieces of advice I received during training was to focus on what your dog enjoys, and Jules clearly loves being around people. In addition to hospital visits, we also visit an adult day care center and the Ronald McDonald House. Wherever we go, it feels like we leave behind a little happiness and that’s an incredible feeling.

Ryan & Candace Metcalf and Gibson

How long have you been a CHAMP volunteer?

Since February of 2022.

What is your dog’s name, age, breed?

Gibson, 7, Golden Retriever

Is this your first Therapy Dog (TD), or have you had others?

Gibson is our third TD. Our first was Daisy who graduated in 2010 and she made visits all the way until the pandemic. 

Where do you do visits with your TD?

Siteman Cancer Center on Monday evenings and St. Louis Children's Hospital every Thursday evening.

Is there a particular visit experience that is memorable—humorous, touching, emotional?

Gibson thinks he's a lap dog and the nurses we visit know this. I can't count how many times a nurse sits on the floor and Gibson climbs into their lap to be snuggled. The nurses absolutely love it. The nurses just hug and pet him and say, "I needed this," and you can see the stress just melt off of them. Gibson just soaks it up like he's in seventh heaven. He was truly meant to be a therapy dog.

Some of my more memorable visits are at Children's Hospital. There's no better feeling than when you stick your head in a patient's room asking if they want to visit a dog and hear the child squeal with utter delight; the smile on that kid's face is priceless.

What do you get out of doing TD visits?

For me, making TD visits fills me with a deep satisfaction and contentment. It is so heartwarming to see the joy and comfort that Gibson brings to the patients and nurses.

What advice would you have for someone new to volunteering with a dog?

It is important to know your dog and be able to understand his/her body language. Never put your dog into a dangerous situation. If you're making a visit and at any point you feel uncomfortable or think your dog is uneasy, it's best to remove yourself [and your dog] from that situation.

Anything you’d like to add?

We are moving to Vermont. While I am excited for this next chapter, the hardest thing about leaving St. Louis is walking away from CHAMP, Siteman and Children's Hospital. We plan on getting certified with an organization in Vermont and continuing making therapy dog visits.

Thank you!

We are excited to welcome Dr. Anderson to the CHAMP Board and look forward to the experience, insight, and passion he will bring to our mission. A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Dr. Anderson has extensive experience in general soft tissue, oncologic and orthopedic surgery, including total hip replacement, with a special interest in minimally invasive surgical techniques such as laparoscopy and arthroscopy.

Dr. Anderson received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. After concluding an internship at Hollywood Animal Hospital in Hollywood, FL, Dr. Anderson completed his residency at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, concurrently earning a Master of Science degree. He was a member of the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and gained extensive surgical experience at a referral practice in Bridgeton, MO, before joining VSS in partnership with Dr. Mary Jean Gorse.

Amazon Wish List

Donate to CHAMP

Phone: (314) 485-1264