My name is Aleana, and I have a deep passion for anything mechanical and hands-on work. In my spare time, I race motorcycles and have always loved dogs—two things that, surprisingly, go hand in hand in the mechanics world!

As a child, I experienced a tragic event that left me with CPTSD. For years, I struggled in denial, convinced that everything I was feeling was just in my head. It wasn’t until college, when the pressure and stress of daily life began to take a serious toll on me, that I met the dog who would change my life forever. Her name was Domino, though that name never quite fit. So, I renamed her Summit. She had her own tragic backstory and struggled with her own form of PTSD. The bond between us was immediate. Through time and practice, we learned to trust each other.

When I returned home from college, I discovered the world of service dogs and what they could do for people with PTSD. Before that, I had assumed service dogs were only for those with physical disabilities—how wrong I was! Eventually, I learned about Service Paws and set up an appointment as a client. I wanted to evaluate Christi and Mitch just as much as they were evaluating me. I quickly fell in love with both the program and the amazing people behind it. They changed my life in ways I never expected, and I’m so grateful I pushed myself out of my comfort zone.

Feeling forever indebted to Service Paws, I gladly accepted when offered a position on the board. Today, I proudly serve as the Volunteer Coordinator, doing my best to give back to the program and the incredible community they have built.