2024 Volunteer of the Year: Alice Pitman
If you’ve ever visited the Freedom Service Dogs facility, odds are you’ve met FSD Volunteer Alice Pitman.
Since becoming a volunteer in 2022, Alice has brought countless hours of care, comfort, and joy to hundreds of FSD Service Dogs in Training and puppies with a purpose—and always with a warm smile on her face.
Known for her outgoing personality and positivity, Alice dedicated nearly 275 hours of her time at the FSD facility across 240 volunteer shifts in just 2024 alone. That’s more than two-thirds of the year spent giving love, enrichment, and care to FSD Dogs… and there’s a whole lot of tail wags to show for it!
In recognition and honor of her incredible generosity, deep passion for dogs and the FSD mission, and her willingness to always lend a helping hand, FSD is thrilled to announce that Alice Pitman was selected as the 2024 Werner Kaplan Volunteer of the Year Award winner!
Alice first found FSD in 2021 during a transitional time in her life. Feeling a bit lost and looking for a way to make a meaningful impact in her community, she reached out with plans to volunteer at FSD just a few times a week. “After being introduced to the program and all the wonderful people and dogs at FSD, I couldn’t help but become more involved,” Alice said.
What started as just a few weekly shifts quickly turned into near-daily visits. Since then, Alice has done just about everything a volunteer can do onsite: supervising adult dog playgroups, providing kennel enrichment, helping FSD’s assistance dog instructors with training exercises, working with puppies on basic obedience, and caring for the mama dogs and their newborn pups in the nursery. Now an expert around the facility, Alice is also a beloved mentor to new volunteers just starting their journeys at FSD.
Over the years, Alice has fallen in love with more FSD Dogs than she can count. “It still amazes me how they can all have such different personalities and so many wonderful characteristics to learn from and interact with,” she said. Among the many dogs who have stolen her heart, FSD Pet Dog Buckle stands out. “He’s a wonderful, large yellow Lab/golden mix and a bit of a goofball… just my type,” Alice laughed. “He was one of the first dogs I fell in love with when I first started volunteering. He helped me get accustomed to the kennel atmosphere. I know he’s making his lucky person very happy now.”
“I feel incredibly honored to have won. It is a privilege to be a part of the FSD community and to be in the company of such extraordinary nominees. I have also had the privilege of learning from fellow volunteers and FSD employees alike. I’m proud to be involved with such an important, successful organization with such dedicated people.”
– Alice Pitman
While Alice adores the dogs, she’s also found a second family in the welcoming FSD community. “There are so many wonderful people associated with FSD. It astonishes me what a relatively small group of people can accomplish when working toward a common goal together,” Alice added. “I would like to give a shoutout to all the Kennel Tech’s at FSD. They always work behind the scenes to ensure the dogs’ health and happiness. They manage a daily juggling act efficiently, with poise, and also a sense of humor. Thank you to the many KTs who have helped me and the other volunteers on a daily basis!”
Alice’s bright spirit and selfless dedication never go unnoticed. “She brightens everyone’s day and always brings a smile to your face,” FSD Volunteer Manager Hannah Perruccio said. “She never cancels a shift… even in the crazy Colorado weather. And she has been there for additional support during staff time off, staff meetings, and more. She knows all the dogs like the back of her hand, and she is truly deserving of Volunteer of the Year.”
On April 4, 2025, during FSD’s Annual Volunteer Appreciation event, staff proudly presented Alice with the 2024 Werner Kaplan Volunteer of the Year Award plaque in honor of her extraordinary impact and support of FSD’s mission. When asked what this recognition means to her, Alice said, “I feel incredibly honored to have won. It is a privilege to be a part of the FSD community and to be in the company of such extraordinary nominees. I have also had the privilege of learning from fellow volunteers and FSD employees alike. I’m proud to be involved with such an important, successful organization with such dedicated people.”
Congratulations, Alice—and thank you from all the pups and people of FSD!
The 2024 Volunteer of the Year nominees were Alice Pitman, Dana Rees, and Jase Baldermann.
Congratulations to all these deserving nominees and thank you for your hard work and dedication!
At FSD, we are always in need of more volunteers! From raising FSD puppies with a purpose, to transporting dogs, volunteering with our newborn puppies and their moms, or offering enrichment to adult dogs in training, there’s something for everyone at FSD! Interested? Learn more about our tail-wagging volunteer opportunities here.
Contact Erin Conley at econley@