Our Board

Denise Baker

President of the Board

A school bus driver with 15 years experience as a commercial driver Denise is the President of our board. She has 25 years of experience working with people with Developmental Disabilities. Advocating for people with disabilities is a passion of hers which is why she wanted to be involved in Pawsitive Directions. The love of her life is Retired Sheriffs Sargent and Correctional Officer who has been living with a severe PTSI as well as physical disabilities. It has been a mission of Denise's to help him get the help and services he needs. This included getting a service dog through Darcey's training facility Pawsitive Difference (before Pawsitive Directions was born). Her husbands service dog has been life saving for him. 
It is Denise's hope and dream to help provide service dogs to "LEO's," First Responders, and Veterans who need them.

Matt Mitchell

Vice President of the Board

A retired Sheriff's Sargent and Correctional Officer, Matt spent 20 years working in Law Enforcement. 
In 2012 he was diagnosed with a severe PTSI. This began his long journey. Having undergone several spinal surgeries he received his first service dog in 2014. He says that his service dog and his girlfriend saved his life. He received his second service dog through the training provided by Pawsitive Difference in 2020, she is able to provide the support Matt needs. Being a strong supporter of "LEO's," First Responders, and Veterans it is his passion to advocate for them to ensure they get the service dog they deserve.

Darcey Shank

Board Director/Founder

Born into the this industry 55 years ago to a mother who was a dog behaviorist and trainer, Darcey calls herself a behaviorist first and trainer second. Former 4-H dog & horse leader, Search and Rescue k9 handler, Championed AKC Irish Wolfhound handler, AKC judge, and AKC certified tester for: Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, Urban Canine, S.T.A.R. Puppy, Trick Dog, Family Dog, AKC Temperament Test and certified tester and observer for The Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Darcey continually studies canine psychology to keep up on current dog training for her business Pawsitive Difference LLC. Pawsitive Difference LLC has given her the ability to apply her 42 years of experience in multiple fields such as behavioral rehabilitation, basic, intermediate, and advanced obedience, Therapy dog training, service dog training, scent and detection work, protection training, and Schutzhund training. Through Pawsitive Difference LLC she has been able to provide training seminars for individuals and businesses, Shadow and Mentor programs and classes to help the community and train future trainers. But, Pawsitive Directions has been a dream of hers 15 years in the making. Darcey has trained not only her own Service Dog Meeko, but her husbands Service Dog as well. She understands the struggle those she strives to aid go through and the difficulties obtaining professionally trained service dogs pose. Her passions lie with helping others live a full life with independence and dignity.