55: Episode 54 - Service Dogs, Inc. - Paws with a Purpose

In this Quest Podcast episode, we chat with a former attorney who left her law practice to devote her time to building Service Dogs, Inc. Sheri Soltes founded Service Dogs, Inc. in 1988 on the concept of using dogs rescued from animal shelters. Under her guidance, Service Dogs, Inc. has led the industry in combining the use of all rescue dogs with positive reinforcement training methodology. While offering her clients more independence and a new leash on life, she joins us to share her experiences, expertise and advice when it comes to service dogs and navigating life.

Transcript

Guests:

Sheri Soltes founded Service Dogs, Inc. in 1988 on the concept of using dogs rescued from animal shelters. An honors graduate from both the University of Texas School of Law and the University of Texas Plan II Honors undergraduate program, she left her law practice to devote her time to building Service Dogs, Inc. Under her guidance, Service Dogs, Inc. has led the industry in combining the use of all rescue dogs with positive reinforcement training methodology.

​In 2023, Sheri served as the new Chair of Assistance Dogs International North America (ADI NA). She chaired the ADI NA Legislative and Advocacy Committee from 2018 - 2022. Her work contributed to the revisions of the Air Carrier Access Act making air travel safer for passengers traveling with legitimate Service Dogs.

In 2022, she helped negotiate with Walmart and Etsy to stop selling Service Dog vests and other equipment to the general public.

Sheri has mentored assistance dog programs around the world including Australia, Japan, Spain and Chile and has been a featured speaker at many conferences and institutions.

​Sheri’s articles on the legal rights of Assistance Dog users have been published by Assistance Dogs International, the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners and Leader Dogs for the Blind. She drafted the 1995 revisions for Texas’ Assistance Dog accessibility statute.

​In 2023, Austin Business Journal selected Sheri as a finalist in their Women in Business Awards and their CEO Awards. In 2022 she won an Austin American-Statesman Extraordinary Woman Award.

Connect with Sheri:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/servicedogsinc
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servicedogsinc/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/servicedogs/

Host:

Mindy Henderson is MDA’s Vice President of Disability Outreach & Empowerment & Editor-in-Chief of Quest Media, and the host of this podcast. She was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, type 2, when she was 15 months old and has been a life-long partner to MDA. Mindy is also a motivational speaker and a writer, and author of the book, The Truth About Things That Suck.

Connect with Mindy: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendersonmindy/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindyhendersonspeaks/