Executive Director
Patty Dobbs Gross

Patty Dobbs Gross created North Star Foundation as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to place high quality Assistance Dogs with children who face special challenges at an affordable price. Patty earned her BA from the University of Massachusetts in Psychology and her Master's degree from the University of New Hampshire in writing; she is both a published author (Dancing in the Rain) as well as an award winning producer of television programs ("Northern Lights" & "Raising Your North Star") that document the groundbreaking work being accomplished at North Star. Patty has compiled research on canine behavioral genetics, Animal-Assisted Therapy and children with autism, all of which can be found in her book The Golden Bridge.

Patty is a wife and mother of four children who are all an integral part of North Star. Over a decade ago her son Danny, now 17, received an Assistance Dog named Madison from Canine Companions for Independence. What she has learned about raising a child with a challenge with the help of an Assistance Dog forms the very heart of our work at North Star Foundation.

Please help support the North Star Foundation and donate now!