b"realitysoundbites.Puppies For Gift Giving?Giving a surprise gift of a puppy on Christmas morn-ing may seem like a joyful idea. In reality, that bundle of joy is another living, breathing, yapping, pooping, peeing being with sharp teeth that is going to require a lot of work, and responsibility. Is the giftee up to it? Are you, if the responsibility falls on you? Consider giving the gift of an experience, like sponsoringaCanineCompanionspuppy.Their Sponsor a Puppy program is $240 ($20 donation eachY Canine Companions month for a year) and includes a personalized sponsorship kit with a plush puppy.TheSoutheast Region gift recipient will receive heart-melting updates with photos, milestones and progressTraining Centerreports. They will be able to follow their sponsored puppy's journey from playful begin- 8150 Clarcona Ocoee Road nings to becoming a life-changing partner as a service dog. Its a true gift of purpose.Orlando, Florida 32818 National nonprofit Canine Companions is celebrating 50 years of empoweringwww.Canine.org people with disabilities to live with greater independence. Since 1975, more than 8,200Adam Goldman dogs have been expertly trained and placed with clients, at no charge to them. TheManager Public Relations & Marketing organization is entirely supported by donations. Today, as Americas first and largest non- 407.522.3305 profit provider of service dogs, Canine Companions leverages seven locations across theAGoldman@Canine.orgcountry, including their Southeast training center in Orlando. Naples by way of NashvilleIn August, Patty Baker Humane Society Naples announced that Becca Morris would be the shelters next Chief Executive Officer. She officially joins PBHSN in October. She is replac-ing Sarah Baeckler, who announced her resignation earlier, this year after nearly eight years of leadership. Becca brings more than 20 years of professional experience, including 12 years in animal welfare leadership. Most recently, Becca served as Chief Operating Officer of the Tennessee Innocence Project, where she oversaw finance, administration, development, com-munications, compliance, and organizational transformation initiatives. Previously, she was DirectorofOperationsandDevelopmentattheNashvilleHumaneSociety,leadingall aspects of shelter operations, adoptions, intake, transport, foster programs, vol-Y Patty Baker Humane Society Naplesunteers, events, partnerships, and fundraising. Earlier in her career, she held 370 Airport Pulling Road, North, Naples, Florida 34104leadership roles with the Metro Nashville Public Health Department, includ-www.PBHSNaples.org239.646.1555 ingoversightofthereconstructionofthecitysmunicipalshelter,Metro Animal Care and Control. Lakeland by way of ErieAfterayear-longsearch,SPCAFloridasExecutiveDirector,Shelley Thayer,hasselected MelanieVadzemnieksasthenextDirectorofDevelopmenttoleadthe46-year-old non-profit animal welfare organization in Lakeland. Melanie began her career in development in 1995 as a fundraising and special events professional at Erie Homes for Children and Adults. A year later, she secured a position as Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at her almamater, Gannon University, in Erie, Pennsylvania. She then moved into the grant writing role at Gannon as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. After nearly sixY SPCA Florida, 5850 Brannen Road S.years at Gannon, Melanie became the Development Director for the Erie Art Museum. Lakeland, Florida 33813 www.SPCAFlorida.org863.646.772216THE NEW BARKERwww.TheNewBarker.com"