PawPrint Ministries

06/20/2026

Yesterday we said goodbye to a very special member of the PawPrint Ministries family.

Jasper, beloved companion to handler Ann Lercher, crossed the rainbow bridge.

Born in 2017, this handsome whippet spent his life doing what comfort dogs do best: showing up when people needed him most. Whether visiting hospitals, schools, nursing homes, community events, or simply offering a quiet moment of comfort, Jasper and Ann never hesitated to answer the call to serve.

Jasper followed in the paw prints of Ann’s first comfort dog, Alice, and quickly became known for his calm presence, sweet spirit, and dapper appearance.

Jasper’s legacy will live on in the countless smiles he created, the tears he comforted, and the hope he shared with every person fortunate enough to meet him.

Run free, sweet Jasper. Your work here was extraordinary, and your pawprints will remain on our hearts forever.

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Jasper
2017-2026

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447 Missions • 697 Hours Served • 8,912 Lives Touched

06/19/2026

A little throwback from the PawPrint archives…

For three consecutive years, PawPrint Ministries was voted #2 Best Philanthropist in the Herald & Review Readers’ Choice Awards.
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Any guesses who took the #1 spot all three years?

The category was eliminated from Readers’ Choice in 2018.

06/17/2026

Scheels is celebrating 15 years and giving back to the community. 10 non-profit organizations will receive $1000 🎉 Vote for PawPrint Ministries following the link.

🎉 Calling all non-profits and the Springfield community! 🎉

Voting starts NOW as we celebrate 15 incredible years of serving our community and giving back!

Here's how you can participate:
✨ Vote for your favorite nonprofit within a 70-mile radius online or in-store
✨ The Top 10 organizations will each receive $1,000
✨ The nonprofit with the most votes will receive an additional $5,000 grand prize
✨ Voting will go until June 29th & winners will be announced on June 30th!
✨ Each person may cast one vote. Any duplicate voters will not be counted
✨ For your vote to count, you MUST use the voting link provided below. Commented votes will not be accepted

Plus, YOU can register to win a $500 SCHEELS Gift Card!

And that's not all - starting next week, join us for a full week of anniversary celebrations, special events, and community fun!

Thank you for helping us celebrate 15 years of community impact! ❤️

Voting Link ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/mvu7nynf
Event Page ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/3x3dwzxp

06/17/2026

The skies are turning dark, and round 1 is heading our way.

Here’s a few tips for today from Story:

🐾 Take dogs out NOW before the rain and sirens begin. They may refuse to go later.
🐾 Bring pets indoors before the storm starts
🐾 Keep collars and ID tags on
🐾 Have leashes handy in case tornado warnings are issued
🐾 Create a safe space away from windows
🐾 Turn on a TV, fan, or white noise to help mask thunder
🐾 Keep treats, medications, and water nearby
🐾 Stay calm. Your dog takes cues from you.

Stay safe! Post a photo of your storm buddy in the comments.

06/15/2026

Perfect afternoon for some training on Millikin’s beautiful campus.

06/15/2026

Comfort dogs Story and Murphy had front row seats as they cheered on these talented players at the IL Womens Pro Tennis Championship.

While the athletes battled it out on the court, our comfort dogs were busy doing what they do best: offering smiles, calm moments, and a friendly greeting to players, volunteers, and spectators.

Congratulations to all of the competitors on an amazing tournament.

06/13/2026

A little training and some court-side fun at the IL Women’s Pro Tennis Tournament.

06/07/2026

Ten years later, the impact is still being felt.
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Today, one of our comfort dog teams had a chance encounter that perfectly captures why PawPrint Ministries exists.

A woman spotted Story and excitedly called out, “Is that a PawPrint dog?!”

She shared that she met our comfort dogs while she was a patient in a local hospital 10 years ago. During a difficult season of her life, she remembers the comfort, peace, and hope those visits brought her.

She also shared that she is 10 years sober!!!

She told us that seeing our dogs during her hospital stay was one of the highlights of her time there, and that those moments never left her. She also shared that today had been a particularly difficult day, and seeing Story was the encouragement she needed to keep moving forward.

Today was a beautiful reminder that a few minutes of comfort can leave an impact that lasts for years.

Thank you to every volunteer, handler, and comfort dog who shows up, one visit at a time. You may never fully know the difference you’re making. 💙🐾

06/07/2026

Our volunteer luncheon had everything: great food, great company, and dogs patiently waiting to find out if dessert was included.

A huge thank you to Valerie for the wonderful idea and for hosting! It was such a special opportunity to slow down, share a meal, connect with one another, and celebrate the incredible people and dogs who make our mission possible.

Of course, no PawPrint Ministries luncheon would be complete without pup cups for our four-legged volunteers. They were definitely a crowd favorite! 🐶🍦

We are so grateful for every volunteer who gives their time, their heart, and their faithful companion in service to others. Thank you for helping us bring comfort, hope, and connection to our community every day. 💙🐾

06/05/2026

🐾🍩 Happy National Donut Day!

A big thank you to our friend Valerie for treating our comfort dogs to doggie donuts from Big Hungry’s Daylight Donuts.
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The pups will get to pick out their own donut tomorrow during our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Thank you to Valerie for always cheering us on and spoiling our pups. More photos to come of the dogs enjoying their special treats. We have a feeling there will be plenty of tail wags and very little self-control.
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