Illinois

South Side Chicago

Love on a Leash®

The South Side Chicago LOAL chapter was founded in October of 2019. The chapter coordinates multiple group visits each month at schools, libraries and senior living facilities on the South Side of Chicago and in the surrounding suburbs; some members also visit additional sites independently. We host periodic member socials and participate in community events; we especially love the annual Touch a Truck and Treat in Palos Heights and events held at Lake Catherine, a Nature Preserve in the area, because these types of events give us an opportunity to promote pet therapy and Love on a Leash to more people.

Meet Our Leaders

Maureen Ligeski and Debbie Kasput are Co-Leaders of the South Side Chicago LOAL Chapter. Maureen has been a co-leader since September of 2021; she is retired and lives with Lily, her certified 7 year old Yorkshire Terrier. When she is not volunteering with LOAL, Maureen enjoys spending time with family and friends and volunteering at her church. Her favorite part about volunteering with LOAL is working with the amazing team members and their dogs and meeting the children and adults, some with special needs, who they visit.

Debbie is a founding member of the chapter and has been a co-Leader since its inception. She lives with her certified therapy dog Hazel and her sisters, Miley and Lucy and works as an insurance underwriter. When they are not volunteering with LOAL or attending a class to brush up on their skills, Debbie and Hazel go for walks or play catch in the backyard. Her favorite part about volunteering with LOAL is the excitement and happiness expressed by everyone they visit. Debbie’s favorite experience is when someone says they don’t like dogs, but before you can say “Love on a Leash” they are petting and talking to Hazel.