Paws for Youth Volunteer Dr. Annette Bouwer Honored by Phoenix Business Journal
We are incredibly proud to share that Phoenix Business Journal has recognized Volunteer Dr. Annette Bouwer DVM with the Volunteer of the Year Award for her generous volunteer work at Paws for Youth at their 10th annual Corporate Philanthropy Awards Luncheon at Chateau Luxe.
After registering her Golden Retriever, Phinley, as a therapy pet, she started volunteering in our ABC program. She and Phinley meet one-on-one with students in local Title I schools, where 1st – 3rd graders read aloud to Phinley, building their confidence and reading skills.
The following year, she was voted in to serve on our Board of Directors, where she has provided invaluable, steady guidance for our organization. When it was time to rebrand from Gabriel’s Angels, Dr. Annette served on the initial exploration committee, helping lay the foundation for our new Paws for Youth brand.
And the more Dr. Annette volunteered, the more she wanted to get involved further. She registered her other Golden Retriever, Dutch, as a therapy pet and started volunteering for our Paws for Resilience program. Now, in addition to visiting three children for reading sessions every program cycle with Phinley, she also visits small groups of up to ten children with fellow volunteers and Dutch.
“I am grateful to work with these amazing dogs. They make the magic and the healing happen. I just hold the leash.”
– Dr. Annette Bouwer, Paws for Youth Volunteer
We’d also like to congratulate the other honorees of Phoenix Business Journal’s 2026 Corporate Philanthropy Awards:
- Volunteer of the Year Award – Volunteer, Dr. Annette Bouwer, DVM, Paws for Youth
- Nonprofit Executive of the Year Award – Shannon Clancy, CEO, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Phoenix
- The Innovative Philanthropic Company Award – Arizona Cardinals Football Club
- The Philanthropic CEO of the Year Award – John Shufeldt, MD, JD, MBA, FACEP, CEO, Jetstream Venture Fund
- Nonprofit Board Member of the Year Award – Jay Spector, CFP®, The Foster Alliance
Dr. Annette ended her remarks by thanking Paws for Youth and encouraging others to volunteer.
“Paws for Youth makes it so easy to volunteer with the support and the resources they provide.”
“I’m grateful to do the work – it fills me up.”
Congratulations to Volunteer Annette for this very well-deserved recognition of your generous work in our community. We are so proud and grateful to have you in our dedicated pack of volunteers!