Meet Elsa, the Inaugural Recipient of The Maya Award
by Laticia Sahs | October 2nd, 2026 | 9:38 am
Sometimes a dog doesn’t have to do anything extraordinary to make an extraordinary difference.
That’s the idea behind The Maya Award, a new recognition created by Napa Humane and DogTrekker.com in memory of Maya, DogTrekker’s beloved Director of Barketing. And we couldn’t imagine a more fitting first recipient than Elsa, a Great Pyrenees whose gentle presence has brought comfort, connection and plenty of smiles to people throughout her community.
The Heart Behind The Maya Award
For nine years, Maya joined the DogTrekker.com team on adventures big and small. With her soft eyes and wagging tail, she welcomed everyone—human and hound—and had a way of making the people around her a little happier simply by being there.
Created in her memory, The Maya Award celebrates dogs who bring that same kind of joy to their own communities. They might be therapy dogs, workplace greeters, neighborhood regulars—or simply the dog next door who never fails to make someone smile.
They don’t have to do something extraordinary to make an extraordinary difference.
And that brings us to Elsa.
Meet Elsa
Elsa’s story with her family began in 2019, when Michele adopted her from the Napa County Animal Shelter at just eight months old.
After enrolling Elsa in classes at Napa Valley Dog Training Club, one of her instructors noticed something special in her and suggested Michele explore Loving Animals Providing Smiles (LAPS).
The pandemic temporarily changed those plans, but when training resumed, Elsa earned her AKC Canine Good Citizen certification. In 2022, Elsa and Michele completed LAPS training and three months of mentoring to officially become a certified animal-assisted therapy team.
Since then, the pair has visited nursing homes, schools and youth programs, programs serving adults with developmental, learning and autism spectrum disabilities, wellness events and the Cordelia-Suisun Library. They are also CAPERS certified through Children and Pets Enjoy Reading Success.
Michele describes their work together as a “win-win-win”: the people they visit experience Elsa’s unconditional love, Elsa gets to do what she loves—meet people—and Michele gets to connect with people who may be lonely or simply need someone to spend a little time with them.
One of those connections has stayed with Michele.
During one visit, a young woman with Down syndrome came over and hugged Elsa. Michele let her hold Elsa for as long as she needed. She later learned that the woman’s brother had recently died. Michele had also lost her brother, and the two were able to share that connection while Elsa quietly stayed beside them.
It was a simple moment of comfort—and exactly the kind of difference a dog can make simply by being there.
A Great Pyrenees Is Never Really Off Duty
Elsa’s caring nature doesn’t end when her therapy visits do.
At home, she takes her Great Pyrenees guardian duties very seriously. Her somewhat unconventional flock includes two cats, two rabbits and four chickens, all of whom Elsa happily watches over.
And on walks, Elsa apparently operates under the assumption that everyone she encounters has come specifically to see her. She’s delighted to greet them—and genuinely surprised when anyone passes without stopping to say hello.
But it’s Elsa’s ability to quietly connect with people that Michele treasures most.
“She doesn’t need to do anything complicated. Sometimes she simply walks into a room, quietly sits beside someone, and makes a connection. That is Elsa’s gift—and I’m incredibly lucky that I get to share it with her.”— Michele, Elsa’s person
A Fitting First Recipient
As longtime champions of dog-friendly adventures and rescue dogs, Roxanne and Dave Kendrick of DogTrekker.com selected the inaugural Maya Award recipient. Here’s what they shared about choosing Elsa:
“Roxanne and I are honored to be part of the inaugural Maya Award and thrilled to recognize Elsa and Michele as its first recipients. Maya showed us for 9 years just how much a rescue dog can give back, and Elsa embodies that same spirit.
From being adopted at the Napa County Animal Shelter to becoming part of a certified animal-assisted therapy team, Elsa now brings comfort, joy and connection to people in nursing homes, schools and programs serving adults with disabilities.
Elsa reminds us why rescue dogs are so special: Give them a second chance, and there’s no telling how many lives they may touch.”
— Roxanne and Dave Kendrick, DogTrekker.com
As the inaugural recipient of The Maya Award, Elsa will receive a special feature in the 2027 Napa Humane Pet Calendar, along with a prize pack from Napa Humane and DogTrekker.
Congratulations, Elsa and Michele—and thank you for showing us just how much difference one dog can make.
