Meet The Trainers

Mackenzie is a Senior studying Biology & Chemistry and currently serves as the President for Indy-Pendence Service Dogs. She is responsible for overseeing Indy and ensuring that the environment is a safe and inclusive space for learning about service dogs and their training. She loves Indy because it allows her to witness and play a role in the process of dogs becoming life-changing service animals for their recipients!

Ella is a Senior studying Animal Science at Illinois State University and currently serves as the Training Coordinator for Indy-Pendence Service Dogs. She is responsible for helping coordinate training activities and supporting the development of future service dogs. She loves being part of the organization because it allows her to help improve someone's quality of life while also getting to watch rescue dogs grow into life-changing service dogs.

Charlotte is a Junior studying HR Management and is currently serving as the Vice President for Indy-Pendence Service Dogs. In her role, she is responsible for maintaining records for both the dogs and trainers, as well as running social medias to promote engagement amongst the community. As a trainer, she loves being able to play a vital part in the training processes and build relationships with not only the dogs but the people they end up working with.

Kate is a Junior majoring in Zoology, minoring in Music, and is serving as secretary for Indy-pendence Service Dogs. She loves being involved with the dogs' training as it allows her to combine her passion for animals with a cause that directly impacts people’s lives. Watching the dogs grow and develop the skills needed to support their future handlers is one of the most rewarding experiences.

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Kelsi is a Junior at Illinois State University studying Construction Management with a minor in Business Administration. She currently serves as the Furlough Coordinator for Indy-Pendence Service Dogs. Her responsibilities include transportation of dogs in training to their furlough trainer each month, as well as maintaining the supplies for those dogs. Kelsi loves being a part of this organization to watch the dogs grow and learn, knowing they are going to do great things with their future recipient.

​Malori Zamora is a Senior Animal Science major at Illinois State University. She is the Treasurer of Indy-Pendence Service Dogs and keeps track of the club’s funds. Her favorite thing about being involved in Indy is watching the pups learn and grow into working dogs!

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Lauren is currently a Senior Psychology major with a Children’s Studies minor, going into Occupational Therapy for post-grad, and is Indy’s Fundraising Coordinator. She helps set both restaurant and campus fundraising events that directly support our dogs in training. Outside of Indy, Lauren enjoys reading, hiking, playing guitar, and scrolling social media. She loves being a part of Indy and seeing the impact the dogs have on their recipients and the community!

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​Ashley is a junior studying Social Work at Illinois State University and is the Public Outreach Coordinator for Indy-Pendence Service Dogs. She organizes various events throughout ISU’s campus and the surrounding community to educate and spread awareness on service dog teams, as well as the use and rights of service dogs. Ashley’s favorite part of Indy is being able to make a positive difference and contribute to something bigger than herself. Through this work, Ashley has developed a sense of purpose and commitment to being a voice for those who may not have the opportunity to advocate for themselves.

My name is Kendall I am a Pre-Veterinary Medicine major at ISU. I have been involved with Indypendence Service Dogs since my freshman year. One of my favorite parts of the program is seeing the impact our dogs have on the people they serve. Raising my first puppy taught me so much about patience and training and it was incredibly rewarding to watch that puppy grow into a service dog that now helps someone daily.

​Anna is a Junior studying Pre-Veterinary medicine at ISU, hoping to become a large animal veterinarian! She previously served as treasurer and furlough coordinator for Indy and is now a student trainer. So far in Indy, she was a primary trainer for Dallas, and secondary for Inez & Coco! In her free time, she likes to go horseback riding and do weight lifting.

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Elena is a Psychology major at Illinois State University and is currently a student trainer in Indy-Pendence Service Dogs. She loves being part of this organization because it lets her leave an impact on someone’s life by training a service dog. It also allows her to see how a service dog can positively change someone’s life.

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Maley is a Senior at Illinois State University, double-majoring in Political Science and Legal Studies. This will be her third year in Indy and her first year as a student trainer. She loves having the opportunity to work with recipients to help improve their everyday quality of life through the training of service dogs. She enjoys getting to work hands on with the different dogs at meetings and class!

Brian is a Pre-Veterinary Science and Zoology student at Illinois State University. Alongside his studies, he volunteers as a service dog trainer with Indy-Pendence Service Dogs, where he helps prepare dogs to assist individuals with disabilities. He enjoys working with the organization because it allows him to work with animals in a hands on setting and values being able to watch the amazing development of the dogs over time.

Katelyn is a Junior studying Medical Laboratory Science at Illinois State University and currently serves as a student trainer for Indy-Pendence Service Dogs. She is responsible for helping dogs build skills and gain confidence in public. It means a lot to her to be a part of the organization and see the service dogs grow and help people in need.

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Arianna Campos-Soto is a Sophomore at Illinois State University studying Early Childhood Education with a minor in Spanish, and is currently on track to take her PA test in Fall 2026 for Indy-Pendence Service Dogs & is a part of the Fundraising committee. She is responsible for creating the posters, signs, and coming up with fundraising plans! She loves being a part of Indy because of the positive impact it has on the community and the difference the service dogs make in people’s lives. Being involved has allowed her to build meaningful connections with the dogs, develop new skills, and meet amazing peers.

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