Peggy Musen promoted to leadership role at therapy dog organization
Duo Dogs, Inc. has named Peggy Musen as the organization’s executive director. In her new role, Musen will lead the 38-year-old nonprofit organization, which provides highly skilled service dogs and uniquely trained touch therapy teams to individuals, families and the community.
Musen has served in a variety of roles with Duo Dogs since joining the nonprofit in 2015. Most recently, she served as the director of community engagement.
“Peggy was unanimously selected by Duo Dogs’ board of directors to serve in this role because of the positive, transformational changes she has made to the organization during her tenure,” said Dan Herren, chairman of Duo Dogs’ board of directors. “Not only has she helped build the solid foundation on which we stand today, she also has improved the way we function as an organization and developed our strategy for the future.”
Since 1981, Duo Dogs has been raising and professionally training assistance dogs for mobility and hearing-impaired individuals, as well as facility dogs for organizations like courthouses and schools. The dogs require two years of training and are provided at no cost to clients.
Duo Dogs also certifies members of the public and their own dogs to give back to the community. The organization’s Touch Teams provide comfort to patients and families dealing with medical issues, while Paws for Reading teams visit libraries and schools to help young children learn to read.
The organization’s scope of services recently has grown to include Duo Dog’s Court Room Dog Program which places dogs with therapists and adults who work with children who may have been mentally, physically, or sexually abused and help as part of the forensic interview process.
“Peggy has been a champion of Duo Dogs since the day she joined, and we look forward to following her lead during this exciting time for our organization,” Herren said.