KSDS Assistance Dogs, Inc. Welcomes New CEO

A new Chief Executive Officer is officially leading KSDS Assistance Dogs, Inc. Duane Toews is a familiar name and face to the Washington County, KS, area. After spending 20+ years in broadcasting and even more in the agriculture industry, Toews is enthusiastic about shifting his focus and taking on this executive role.“I am pleased to be on board with a great organization that does amazing work to enhance people’s lives,” said Toews.He received a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education and a master’s degree in Secondary Education, both from Kansas State University. Toews was previously the Washington County Extension Agent in 1992. He then moved to the extension office in Beloit. From there, Toews accepted a position with a pair of radio stations in Clay Center, KS, where he has been Farm Director over the last few decades.“This will be a new challenge and I am looking forward to working with a great staff and supportive board,” said Toews.As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, KSDS operates under a board of directors. Board Chairman Bob Bartkoski said they are very pleased Duane was able to fill the CEO position. “He has proven his ability to communicate, as one who follows through on projects, and possesses strong organizational skills,” explained Bartkoski. “Duane is very enthusiastic about the KSDS motto, changing lives one dog at a time. And we are pleased to announce him as our new CEO.”Toews joins the organization only a few months after Bryce Dolan was hired as the Director of Marketing and Fundraising. Dolan moved to Kansas in 2017 from Omaha, NE, after accepting a position as News Director at KFRM in Clay Center. After spending four years running the news department, Dolan has made a career shift and is excited to be in his new role.“I learned about KSDS from the previous CEO and Marketing Director in 2019. From the start, I was amazed at what this organization was able to do. It is a privilege to be a part of this staff.”With 10 fulltime staffers and several part-time employees, the organization has volunteers in 22 states and has placed over 600 dogs in 36 states.Recently the Washington-based nonprofit has gone international. As an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International, KSDS is also part of the International Breeding Cooperative and shares breeding stock, or dogs, with other schools around the world. This means dogs that were bred in Washington, KS, are shared with other accredited schools in various countries. In return, KSDS also receives dogs from those other accredited schools.

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