Not Just Training. It's a Partnership.

Debbie is a founder of Paws That Serve. She has extensive experience training service dogs and providing animal-assisted therapy for our country's warriors. As a Certified National Crisis Response Team member, she supports trauma agencies across Alaska.

With a background in nursing and dental hygiene, Debbie combines her education with a passion for healing through animals. Her volunteer work has revealed the profound impact dogs can have on those facing trauma, motivating her to support military families who have sacrificed so much.

Lisa Arner is the founder of Paws That Serve, a mother of six whose family’s 25 years of military life have deeply influenced her dedication to service, compassion, and the healing power of the human–canine bond. A distinguished graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy and an American Kennel Club accredited evaluator, Lisa has also completed advanced coursework in diabetic detection and specialized service dog training. Her volunteer service includes work with the USO Pet Therapy Program, Veterans Affairs, and the American Red Cross, reflecting her lifelong commitment to supporting both people and animals.

Melissa serves on the Board of Directors for Paws That Serve. An Air Force veteran and retired nurse, she has been training dogs for sports, therapy, and service work since 2001. A passionate advocate for healing through canine-assisted interventions, Melissa is a registered Therapy Dog Team member, a certified Crisis Response Team member with National Crisis Response Canines, and a volunteer with the American Red Cross. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to connecting people with the support they need for recovery and resilience while fostering collaboration and empowering others.

Margaret serves on the Board of Directors for Paws That Serve. For more than a decade, she and her canine partners have responded to communities across Alaska and beyond as a certified National Crisis Response Canine Team and a certified National CISM Response Canine Team. A former Team Coordinator for the Alaska CISM Team and a certified First Responder Chaplain, she has also served with the Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains. With a 40-year background in speech-language pathology, Margaret brings exceptional communication skills and a lifelong commitment to supporting individuals during times of crisis, trauma, and loss.

Samantha is serving on the Board of Directors at Paws That Serve. She began her journey in dog training in 2006 after developing a strong interest in dog sports and behavior. Her passion for training soon expanded into the world of service dogs when she began volunteering as a puppy raiser—a role that naturally evolved into a career training puppies in her home. Samantha’s top priority is helping people build positive, lasting relationships with their dogs through trust, understanding, and love.

Olivia plays a key role in the continued growth and development of Paws That Serve. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree in English with a focus on editing, she lends her creativity and insight to help strengthen our brand and communications. Olivia also supports our promotional efforts by designing our logo, T-shirts, business cards, and other branded materials that reflect the heart and mission of Paws That Serve.