A New Chapter
A Thank You to Former Board Chair Michelle Search and a Warm Welcome to New Board Chair John DellaSalle
In October 2026, Freedom Service Dogs (FSD) marked both the end of an incredible chapter and the beginning of a new one as longtime Board Chair Michelle Search completed her final term and John DellaSalle stepped into the role of Board Chair.
Michelle joined FSD’s Board of Directors in 2017 and was elected as Board Chair in 2019. Throughout her tenure, she provided steady leadership, financial expertise, and an unwavering commitment to FSD’s mission. Her guidance helped the organization achieve and navigate significant milestones, including the launch of FSD’s purpose breeding program, the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the expansion of our client-dog programs, and a period of remarkable growth that enhanced our ability to serve more people than ever before.
On September 30, 2026, Michelle officially passed the torch to John DellaSalle, who has served on FSD’s Board of Directors since 2021 and as Vice Board Chair since 2024. As founder and CEO of Tennison Group, John brings decades of leadership experience in executive search, human resources, finance, and organizational development. More importantly, he brings a deep passion for FSD’s mission and a commitment to helping the organization continue to grow and serve more people through the power of custom-trained assistance dogs.
The FSD community is deeply grateful for Michelle’s years of service and leadership. We are also excited to welcome John into this important role as Board Chair. To mark this transition, we spoke with both leaders to reflect on FSD’s journey, discuss the future of the organization, and share what our mission means to them.
FSD: What first brought you to our organization?
Michelle: I had the privilege of working with a former FSD CEO when she was at Komen Colorado. When she came over to FSD, we stayed in touch, and eventually she convinced me to join the board (it wasn’t a hard sell!). My mom actually started volunteering with FSD about 2 years before I joined and still volunteers to this day!
FSD: What is it about the mission of FSD that resonates with you personally?
Michelle: For me, it has often been about the small impacts—the way our dogs provide confidence and comfort, allowing their humans to engage with life just a little bit more. Life, and the quality of one’s life, is really comprised of small moments and little experiences that build and grow. Our dogs allow our clients to be their best selves, whatever that is for them. And honestly, that’s all any of us can ever want to be.
John: What resonates with me most about FSD’s mission is seeing firsthand how specially trained dogs can enhance a client’s life by helping them regain independence, reconnect with their families, and become more engaged in everyday life, while also bringing so much joy to them and their loved ones. Seeing the positive impact these dogs have on our clients and their families is incredibly heartwarming. It is very special to be part of an organization that makes such a difference in the lives of the people we serve.
FSD: You’ve already made a meaningful impact during your time as a member of our Board of Directors. As you step into your new role of Board Chair, what accomplishments are you most proud of, and what do you hope FSD will accomplish during your time in this role?
John: We have accomplished a great deal over the past six years. We have strengthened the partnership between the Board of Directors and FSD staff and built a strong, collaborative team. This has been supported by bringing together dedicated staff and board members with diverse skills and perspectives who are passionate about FSD’s mission and committed to moving the organization forward.
We have also improved FSD’s financial position through thoughtful cost management and focused fund development efforts. At the same time, it has been incredibly rewarding to see the impact of expanding our placement of purposeful dogs and the difference they are making in the lives of those we serve.
Looking ahead, we have a solid strategic plan to guide us over the next few years, and I want to build on the momentum we have created. I hope we can continue to increase the number of purposeful dog placements while maintaining the high level of quality for which FSD is known. We will also need to thoughtfully expand our facilities to support that growth and continue to build a strong financial foundation that will position FSD for a sustainable future.
FSD: As you reflect on your time as Board Chair, what has been the most rewarding part of the experience, and what are you most proud of?
Michelle: Honestly, so much has been rewarding…it is hard to narrow down. But if I had to choose, I’d probably say the team at FSD. It has been so rewarding to work with the amazing people at FSD in every aspect of the organization. The work that FSD does is done by each and every one of our people, every day. I’m proud to have been part of that team, and I’m proud to have helped that team develop into the amazing group that it is now.
FSD: What most excites you about the future of FSD, particularly as the need for assistance dogs continues to grow?
John: We are fortunate to have such an incredible community of staff and volunteers who are deeply passionate about our mission. FSD simply cannot do what it does without the dedication and support of everyone who contributes to the organization. As the need for our services continues to grow, I am excited to do everything I can to support our staff, volunteers, and the broader FSD community in helping us reach more people who can benefit from our services.
FSD: How has FSD evolved during your tenure, and which accomplishments do you believe will have the greatest long-term impact on our mission?
Michelle: I believe we’ve worked hard to solidify the foundation of what FSD is, what it can be, and set forth a path for how to get there. That foundation is financial, structural, and cultural—grounded with a shared mission and passion.
FSD: What have you learned from volunteering on the board alongside Michelle, and what do you hope to carry forward from her leadership?
John: Michelle has done an incredible job serving as Board Chair. She helped guide the organization through two significant moments in FSD’s history: launching the purpose breeding program and navigating the challenges that came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her passion for FSD, combined with her professional experience and talents, has helped the organization make tremendous progress. I share Michelle’s passion for FSD and its mission, and I am honored to build on the strong foundation she has helped create. I will do everything I can to support FSD as we continue to grow, strengthen the organization, and position it for a sustainable future.
FSD: What have you learned during your time as Board Chair that you’ll carry with you beyond your time in the role?
Michelle: I’ve learned that doing hard things, making difficult choices, and even responding to crisis can be more satisfying than the bright, shiny moments. We’ve gone through a change to the breeding program, led the organization through a global pandemic, selected a new CEO, grown our board…some elements of these things were really hard, but we’ve always strived to do the right thing. Seeing the organization thrive through adversity and challenge makes all of those hard decisions and sleepless nights worthwhile.
FSD: What is one thing about FSD that you hope never changes?
John: I love the intimate and welcoming environment at FSD. As soon as you walk through the doors, it is easy to forget about everything else going on in life when you see happy people walking through the halls with adorable and friendly dogs. You can immediately sense how proud our staff and volunteers are to be part of such an incredible organization. There is warmth and energy throughout FSD that is hard to describe, and you can truly feel the passion people have for the mission. I hope this never changes.
FSD: As you pass the torch to John, what gives you confidence about the future of FSD?
Michelle: I know that the organization is set up for success, with leaders with the right skills, and a team with the right passions doing the good work day in and day out. Our clients see it, our donors see it, and our community sees it. The future is a place where FSD will thrive and continue to change the world, one leash at a time.
FSD: What message would you like to share with FSD’s supporters and everyone who makes our mission possible?
Michelle: First, I’d say, “THANK YOU.” Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me for 9 years. Thank you for the gift of FSD in my life and in my heart. I am forever changed because of FSD, and that is because of the community that is FSD. And second, I’d say keep up the great work, knowing that there is always a need for amazing FSD dogs. Those dogs have lives to change, and you are the ones that allow them to do it.
John: I would like to just say, “thank you so much” to everyone in the FSD community for all of your hard work and support. Everyone has a different role, but we all come together to make it an incredible experience for our dogs and clients.
On behalf of the FSD community, thank you to both Michelle and John for their heartfelt volunteerism.
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Published 10/13/26
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