Mark is a former Law Enforcement officer, having served 34 years in his community. Today, he continues to serve in his current role as the Mayor of his city. Mark is diagnosed with Parkinson’s – but doesn’t let that stop him from his forward-facing job! While he handles the pressures well, high levels of stress tend to exacerbate Mark’s tremors. He also experiences gait instability, leading to tripping while walking. Mark’s previous interactions with another individual’s service dog opened his eyes to the potential life-changing benefits a trained dog can provide. He believes that having a Service Dog of his own will be a calming presence and help slow the progression of his symptoms.
Mark and Hollister matched in January 2026. Hollister will assist Mark by bracing to provide stability on uneven terrain. He will also anchor, retrieve items out of Mark’s reach, and will deliver deep pressure therapy to help as he combats tremor activity. With Hollister’s help, Mark will continue to aid his home community and will live a full and happy life!