In 2015, after searching online for animal therapy programs in Birmingham, Stoltzner found Hand in Paw while training Olive, her first Therapy Dog. By 2016, Stoltzner and Olive had become a certified Therapy Team, beginning what would grow into more than 1,300 hours of volunteer service.
“What better way to volunteer and help people than doing it with your best friend?” Stoltzner said.
Stoltzner graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in child development and gerontology. She spent more than 16 years working in the medical field, even as she continued volunteering with Hand in Paw as a Therapy Team.
Eventually, her volunteer service became something more.
Stoltzner is the first person in Hand in Paw’s main office to hold her role after first serving as a Therapy Team volunteer. That distinction matters.
“I bring the unique ability of being able to see things from both perspectives — as a volunteer and as a leader of the volunteers,” she said.
Because she has stood on both sides of the leash, Stoltzner understands the dedication, preparation, and heart that go into every visit.
She knows what it takes to show up consistently for Program Partners, clients, students, patients, staff, and families. She also knows how much volunteers need encouragement, clarity, and support along the way.
Her goal is simple but ambitious: to train exceptional Therapy Teams so Hand in Paw continues to set the gold standard for Animal-Assisted Therapy in Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
She also works to build strong relationships with the people and facilities Hand in Paw serves, ensuring that Therapy Teams are matched thoughtfully with the places where they can make the greatest impact.
“My role is about being a huge supporter of our teams so they know how much they mean to the community,” Stoltzner said.
And true to form, she says her door is always open — day or night.
For Stoltzner, Hand in Paw’s mission is personal, practical, and deeply human.
“I can’t think of a better way to help people than with my Therapy Dogs,” she said.
She loves that Hand in Paw focuses on making people in the community feel loved and supported by sharing therapy animals with them — always free of charge.
“It doesn’t matter how much or how little you have,” Stoltzner said. “We provide the same quality of services to everyone, no matter who they are. You will be cared about by us.”
That belief comes to life in the stories Stoltzner carries with her, especially from her work in special needs classrooms.
One student she remembers was largely nonverbal and initially struggled to be in the same room as Stoltzner’s Therapy Dog, Fern. On the first day of class, he became visibly distressed at the sight of them and had to leave the room.
Stoltzner and Fern never forced interaction. Each visit, they simply said hello and gave him space.
Over time, something changed.
The student loved the alphabet, so Stoltzner put Fern’s pocket vest on and asked whether he could show Fern the letter A, then place it in her pocket.
“That was it,” Stoltzner said. “That was the bridge to him accepting her as a friend.”
From that point forward, he began doing the alphabet with Fern. Later, he traced letters with his finger in her fur. Eventually, he no longer needed the alphabet at all. When Stoltzner returned to the school with one of her Therapy Dogs, he would seek them out simply because he wanted to.
“Seeing him progress over time has been amazing to watch,” Stoltzner said. “Amazing to see how an animal can bring so many changes.”
A great day at work for Stoltzner often begins with hearing the excitement in a volunteer’s voice.
“The enthusiasm our volunteers have for the work they do in the community is amazing,” she said. “It always brings me joy to hear their happiness.”
That enthusiasm is the heartbeat of Hand in Paw. Volunteers give their time, their energy, and their compassion to people across the community. Stoltzner’s work helps make sure they are prepared, supported, and reminded that what they do matters.
She understands that every Therapy Team represents Hand in Paw’s mission in action. Every visit is an opportunity to offer comfort, connection, and care.
And every volunteer deserves to know they are part of something meaningful.
Outside of work, Stoltzner has plenty to keep her busy. She makes custom sugar cookies, loves to knit and crochet, and describes herself, without apology, as a “puzzle-oholic.” Mahjong rounds out the roster.
When she needs to recharge, Stoltzner turns to puzzles, Mahjong, or one-on-one time with a good friend. She also loves walking around farmers markets, the kind of simple, joyful outing that fits someone who spends so much of her life building connection.
At home, Stoltzner’s love for animals continues with her own beloved pack.
Olive, now 11, is a Labradoodle who “dresses up every day like a Golden Retriever,” Stoltzner jokes. A Therapy Dog for 10 years, Olive is a self-aware princess; you won’t find a sweeter girl. She is devoted to giving people love and will find her way into any body of water she can.
Poppy is the family’s wild woman, tail never stopping. She loves chasing anything that moves outside but is always willing to pause for a petting session. Like her older sister, she became a Therapy Dog at just 1½ years old and shares Olive’s affinity for swimming.
And then there was Fern.
Fern was, in Stoltzner’s words, the sweetest girl. Like Olive and Poppy, she was also a Therapy Dog. She lived for human touch and hugs, and would lie still for hours while people braided her hair — yes, braided her hair, Stoltzner confirms — while the other dogs played nearby. Her gentle presence made her especially gifted at reaching people who needed quiet comfort.
In many ways, Fern’s legacy continues in Stoltzner’s work every day.
Because Stoltzner knows, better than most, what can happen when a well-trained Therapy Team walks into a room with patience, compassion, and an open heart.
She has seen a frightened student find a friend. She has watched volunteers discover purpose. She has lived the mission from both sides — first as a volunteer, now as the person helping lead the way for others.
And through it all, she remains committed to the same simple promise at the heart of Hand in Paw’s work: You will be cared about by us.
This post is part of our 30th Anniversary #WeAreHIP campaign, a celebration of the people who keep Hand in Paw moving forward every day. From Therapy Teams in the field to the staff working behind the scenes, we’re shining a light on the dedicated individuals whose commitment, creativity, and heart power our mission across Central Alabama and Tuscaloosa. As we celebrate 30 years of connection and impact, we’d love to hear from you, too.
Have you experienced the work of a Hand in Paw Therapy Team? Attended an event? Supported our mission in your own way? Share your story and help us mark this milestone year by adding your voice to the legacy!
