Woman of Impact: Behind the Scenes at Champ Assistance Dogs Photo Shoot
- May 6
- 3 min read
Katie Leemon and Christina Rustenhaven Champ Assistance Dog Trainers were nominated for the Woman of Impact Project sponsored by Jill Gray of Higher Focus Photography. In my mind their impact is far reaching. They've worked with hundreds of puppies, dogs and humans. They are front-line workers and their inspiration and impact has made our community a better, happier, puppy-filled world.
Jill and I thought it would be a good idea to have one photo session for both Champ Assistance Dog trainers on a day when they and puppies would be at the office. We chose an evening in March before puppy raiser training.
Imagine puppies of varying ages, puppy raisers, trainers, staff and the two of us and yes…it could have been puppy chaos.
But we are talking about Champ Assistance Dogs and the incredible staff. What I thought of as chaos, they simply rolled with. With smiles.
What a good lesson for me. Katie and Christina simply continued their work with their kindness and patience. Never once indicating anything except professionalism.
Jill started by taking group photos with all the humans and all the puppies that had shown up. Humans were sitting and standing, Jill was using her puppy noises, and I joyfully was taking pictures of the entire event.
Jill has a gift which translates into pictures that tell stories.
She also has clear images of her subjects and what she believes will work the best. I followed her lead, happy to observe.
Jill wanted photos of the Katie and Christina alone and with puppies as well as together. Christina has a smile that lights up a room.
Katie's personality shines through her smile.
The puppies were comfortable with each trainer and followed Jill’s lead, allowing Jill to get the perfect mix of puppies and humans.
You can almost sense what they are thinking. Both the puppies and the humans!
You could easily feel how the puppies felt as they relaxed into Katie and Christina in this group shot. I took a deep breath as Kate, Christina and Jill worked with each puppy for a photo that expressed their personalities.
Jill graciously took head shots of each trainer and Pam Budke, the Executive director, too.
Then she turned to me and said, “My turn,” and sat down with a puppy.
I’m not sure who was enjoying themselves more. Jill or the puppy! You can tell a dog person from a mile away and experiencing this up close is a gift.
Both Jill and the puppy relaxed into the moment. And I felt a wonderous feeling of being able to capture Jill through my phone camera and her experience enjoying the moment. This made me so happy.
What a extraordinary afternoon of highlighting two Women of Impact and their impact on their community through their extraordinary work with puppies, puppy raisers, and humans.
Special thanks to Jill Gray of Higher Focus Photography. All professional photos were taken by her.
And a big thank you to Katie Leemon, Christina Rustenhaven and Pam Budke. As well as the puppies, puppy raisers, and staff at Champ Assistance Dogs. The puppies pictured: York, Trey and Mesa. York and Trey are yellow labs, and Mesa is the black lab. Austin is the Education Dog.
For more information: https://www.champdogs.org/
Expect Good. Defy Gravity. Sparkle ON! More puppies please!
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