STORY BY NICOLE IUZZOLINO
ILLUSTRATION BY LAUREN VICENZI
The first person to ever receive a dog from Takoda was a first responder on 9/11. Ashley Jordan’s father, a police officer and firefighter captain, was a first responder on the same fateful day in 2001.
“When [my father] heard that, he was so proud of what I was doing because it really meant something. Especially to him.”
Takoda is a non-profit organization that raises, breeds, and trains service dogs for veterans and first responders with disabilities, like PTSD. “Normally these dogs would [cost the veterans being treated] around $25,000, so it really is such a great organization to be part of.” Service dogs from Takoda are offered at no cost. As an avid supporter of animal welfare organizations, and being a business marketing and entrepreneurship major, this was the perfect organization for her to work with.
Ashley grew up in a very tight-knit family on eastern Long Island. Love and respect for those in the line of duty radiates throughout her home, as three generations of the Jordan family have or are currently serving in the armed forces. The connection to veterans with her family was a big motivator for her to begin working with Takoda. Ashley would match veterans and active first responders with service dogs, something that has a special place in Ashley’s heart.
Ashley first became aware of Takoda through philanthropy work with her sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma. The sorority had an event when Takoda had puppies to help the dogs become socialized. The girls would get the dogs used to being touched and held. Ever since then, Ashley kept in contact with the organization. Because of this one event, it launched into Ashley pursuing Takoda as part of her honors thesis project.
In September of her senior year, Ashley was put to work immediately at Takoda.
“I would reach out to different publications and try to get pieces covered on Takoda, I would help them develop its marketing, like creating a new logo.” Part of her job was to recruit volunteers around Marist to help out. On numerous occasions, Ashley would drive Marist freshmen to Takoda for volunteer shifts.
At the end of training for the service dogs, there is a graduation ceremony where they are handed off to their assigned veterans, officially making them active service dogs. The recipients of the service dogs also learned how to care for their new partner leading up to this day.
“Seeing the veterans with their dogs and just how much the animals were helping them was beautiful to see. It reminds you that this is why we are doing this,” Ashley said.
Ashley has always sought out projects to help others, an effort did not stop at Takoda. Ashley regularly volunteered at Poughkeepsie schools to read with children and hold book drives to benefit under-priviledged children in the area. She is also a member of the Autism Awareness club and Fox P.A.W., a club that focuses on animal welfare awareness.
With all of these clubs, keeping up with capping and working with Takoda, Ashley was nervous she would crack under the pressure, but she has her parents to thank.
“I learned from my parents to always follow through with something that you committed to, and told me to never run away because it was hard.” These lessons she learned have helped her to stay motivated and focused, all the way until the end of her senior capping project.
Dr. James Synder, Interim Dean of Academic Engagement and the previous Honors Program director, stressed how much of a pleasure it was to advise and teach Ashley, especially when it came to her “no-nonsense” attitude about learning. “She always has a completely straight poker face that I try to get a laugh out of her in class but beneath that calm demeanor is someone who is wickedly smart, driven, cares a lot about people, and cares a lot about issues.” He also explained that Ashley went above and beyond when it came to Takoda and her honors thesis project. “Her work for animal rights is incredible and she has always been quietly achieving things, without ever being arrogant about it.”
With her senior capping project completed, Ashley now interns with North Road Communications where she is an account executive for Looking Glass Animal Rescue, a fitting placement for her as it is another animal welfare organization she gets to work with. Also, two days a week, Ashley interns with Channel V Media, where she focuses on PR and Marketing.
Now, Ashley’s schedule is a bit different than other students. She had to learn to travel the subways, navigate the busy streets of New York City, and learn to work in a city environment, something she never would have seen herself doing. Yet, she is taking the adventure and the challenge head on. “I want to find fun in everyday, and last semester I sat back and told myself to find more fun in my work, and I was able to do just that.”
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