Lynsey Smith

Lynsey Smith is Paws & Think’s New Volunteer Liaison, responsible for processing new volunteer applications and background checks, sending welcome communications, and entering new volunteer information into various databases. In 2014, Lynsey was looking for a place to volunteer where she could use her writing skills and, as a dog lover, was drawn to Paws & Think’s programs and mission. She became a volunteer in December of 2014 and started on the PR & Marketing committee, helping to write for Paws & Think’s e-newsletter and website. Over the years she has volunteered in many different capacities: as a helper for therapy team training classes, with evening care for the Youth-Canine program, as a Paws to Read Reading Buddy, assisting with new volunteer orientations, and as the Special Events Coordinator. She was also employed as Paws & Think’s Volunteer Coordinator in 2021, and she took on the volunteer role of New Volunteer Liaison in 2022.

Lynsey is from Ohio originally and moved to Indianapolis in 2011. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Wittenberg University, where she majored in English, and she is currently a full-time project consultant for Ascension, where she has worked since 2011. Lynsey loves to read, travel, go to music festivals, and explore new parks with her dog, Stevie Licks. Stevie is a Lab/Pit Bull mix and graduated from Paws & Think’s Pawsitive Corrections Youth-Canine program in 2016. Lynsey fell in love with Stevie while volunteering for evening care with the program and adopted her from Indianapolis Animal Care Services soon after. Stevie loves naps, peanut butter, and chasing squirrels with her best friend, Booboo. Lynsey picked the perfect name for her dog – when Stevie gets really excited, she twirls just like her namesake, Stevie Nicks.

The 2017 Paws & Think Volunteer of the Year, Lynsey is always looking for ways to help. In the past she has also volunteered with Indy Reads and the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library, and in 2020 she helped to launch a grassroots group called Go Vote Indy that focused on registering Indianapolis voters and providing free rides to the polls on Election Day. Volunteering with Paws & Think has made her feel more connected to Indianapolis and has allowed her to help people and dogs in a meaningful way. She has loved being a part of the organization’s evolution since 2014. “It’s been really amazing seeing Paws & Think grow over the years! And probably my favorite thing about volunteering (other than petting so many good dogs) has been helping to share the success stories. Paws & Think helps so many people with their programs and I feel lucky to be a part of that.”