Lend a Paw Strengthens the Bond Between People and Dogs

From preparing future service dogs to providing a place for families to navigate pet loss, Lend a Paw is creating meaningful support for people and their four-legged companions across the Upper Cumberland.

For many people, a dog is far more than a pet. They are a trusted companion, a source of comfort, a constant presence through life’s highs and lows, and, for some, an essential partner in navigating daily life. Whether helping someone regain independence through service work or simply offering unconditional love, the bond between humans and dogs has the power to transform lives. That belief is at the heart of Lend a Paw, a local nonprofit dedicated to strengthening those life-changing relationships.

The organization was born from founder Christie Faccinto’s years of experience breeding, raising, and training working dogs for law enforcement before transitioning into the service dog world.

“When it comes to dogs doing big jobs in society, it has always been understood that those dogs need to have an incredible genetic temperament suited to the work,” Faccinto explained. “Yet the need for service dogs has dramatically increased, resulting in many people attempting to use the dog in front of them, regardless of suitability.”

Recognizing both the need for well-prepared service dogs and the financial barriers many families face, Faccinto and fellow puppy raiser Samantha Cruser created Lend a Paw’s puppy raising program. Puppies receive structured socialization, foundational training, health testing, and temperament evaluations before being matched with individuals whose needs align with each dog’s unique abilities. 

“The primary goal of the puppy raising program is to build confident, healthy puppies who are ready to jump into work as young adults,” Faccinto said.

Today, Lend a Paw’s mission extends beyond preparing future service dogs. One of its newest initiatives, the Pet Loss Support Group, has become an unexpected source of healing for families throughout the Upper Cumberland.

The idea began after a longtime client asked Faccinto whether Cookeville had an in-person support group for people grieving the loss of a beloved pet.

“After much exploration, I discovered that Cookeville didn’t have any in-person options. So I decided to make one,” she said.

Partnering with local therapist Susan Fortner, Faccinto soon found another champion for the idea in Sara Kruszka, marketing director at PLENTY Bookshop. After seeing Faccinto’s search for a meeting space, Kruszka immediately reached out to PLENTY’s founders, Lisa Uhrik and Ashley Michael, about opening the bookstore for monthly gatherings.

“PLENTY has been intentional about how we use the space, but I felt as though this was a new way to bring community into the bookshop,” Kruszka said. “I knew the bookshop could provide a comfortable setting.”

Together, the three launched a free monthly support group where participants can share memories, process grief, or simply listen alongside others who understand.

“Society sometimes fails to validate this special type of grief,” Fortner said. “A group like this provides a safe, judgment free place to express grief with others who really understand how devastating the loss of a pet can be.”

She has already witnessed the impact.

“I see people who no longer feel alone in their grief,” Fortner shared. “There’s so much compassionate understanding with members supporting each other, not just during the meetings but outside of them too. They are forming friendships.”

Kruszka hopes everyone who walks through PLENTY’s doors feels welcomed from the moment they arrive. “I hope they feel as comfortable as they can be,” she said. “The environment is welcoming and calming. I think that helps just a little bit in the process.”

For more information on how to get involved with Lend a Paw, visit their listing in our business directory or the Lend a Paw website.

_{by Chelsea Dartez, photography by Addie Lee}