After dog death, nonprofit struggles

The fate of the Carrboro service dog nonprofit Eyes Ears Nose and Paws is uncertain after the death of a dog in the group’s care this summer and a worsening financial situation.

Seven of the organization’s 10 board members no longer serve on the board after the nonprofit brought in four organizational and animal safety experts to assess the nonprofit’s policies and recommend changes.

The panel of experts convened in August to meet with the nonprofit’s “puppy parents,” the volunteers who had helped to raise, care for and train the dogs.

Eyes Ears Nose and Paws, which was founded in 2008, trains service and diabetic assistance dogs and places them with clients.

It is the only organization providing either of these resources in the Triangle area.

A tragic death

Eyes Ears Nose and Paws and the community were deeply saddened by the death of Worthy, a service dog in training.

Worthy died from heatstroke on June 11 after being left in a vehicle for more than an hour in 77-degree weather by trainer and Program Director Debra Cunningham the previous day.

Cunningham has since been charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor of cruelty to animals.

The nonprofit recently placed two service dogs with clients, and Cunningham continues to train and monitor both of them at the clients’ homes.

“As a board, we firmly believe in her exceptional skills and uncanny ability to guide them toward desirable outcomes,” the letter said.

Cunningham remains the program director at Eyes Ears Nose and Paws and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 19.

‘Shoestring operation’

The expert panel recommended making changes to the structure of the organization to allow for better communication and decision-making, establishing new policies to ensure the dogs’ safety and developing greater financial efficiency and responsibility.

“As a small, young, shoestring operation, most of us did a little of everything,” said Gretchen Aylsworth, the secretary and spokeswoman for the nonprofit’s board of directors, in an email.

“They recommended that we diversify our roles and restructure. We took this as good advice.”

The panel’s findings were outlined in a letter sent by the nonprofit’s board of directors to its volunteers.

Slimming down

In their letter dated Sept. 30, the organization’s board said the “slimmed down” board would allow members to meet more frequently and discuss the group’s insecure finances and the safety of the service dogs.

“A larger board simply cannot meet as frequently,” the board members said in the letter.

“Many of the board members who no longer serve remain involved in specific areas of our rebuilding operation.”

Eyes Ears Nose and Paws no longer has an office or training room.

“We no longer keep any medications on site and will be relying on close, accessible professional veterinary care,” the letter said.

Despite having fundraising needs of at least $15,000, the organization canceled its fundraisers out of respect for Worthy.

Aylsworth said the nonprofit has received some unsolicited donations and retains a strong base of volunteers.

“We would like to (continue as an organization),” Aylsworth said.

“It depends on two primary things: our ability to create the viable structure we have in mind, and our ability to raise sufficient funds.”

The new organization structure for Eyes Ears Nose and Paws is still in its planning stages, Aylsworth said.

In its letter to volunteers and clients, the board said the organization’s staff compensation has been reduced to 10 hours per week.

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