Nearly 35 people attended The Seibert Family Field of Memories unveiling.
CENTRAL POINT, OR – On Sunday, July 28th, Dogs for Better Lives (DBL) hosted its much anticipated unveiling of The Seibert Family Field of Memories, which earlier in the year had been transformed and updated with brick tiers, defined levels, and thoughtful hardscaping.
Home to more than 150 memorial stones, The Seibert Family Field of Memories memorializes both Service Dogs and personal dogs that have passed. The memorial garden is located on the grounds of DBL’s headquarters and west coast campus, situated at the base of Lower Table Rock.
Former Medford resident and DBL board member, donor Loree Seibert provided a significant donation late last year (2023), to support the construction and renovation of the Field of Memories.
“The Seibert Family Field of Memories is a wonderful way to provide thanks and peaceful thought to our special four-legged friends that have passed, both Service and personal dogs,” stated CEO Bryan Williams. “Loree has been an amazing friend and advocate for DBL as a volunteer, national board member, and donor, and we are forever thankful for her contributions.”
Loree served on DBL’s national board from 2016 – 2022, as well as on the board’s Operations Committee.
Loree Seibert sharing selfies with Service Dog in-training, Alaska.
Loree Seibert and her family had lived in the Rogue Valley for more than 30 years, until she moved to Florida in late 2022. She is a retired Registered Nurse and spent much of her professional life working in the specialty field of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing. Most recently, Loree had been a RN Surveyor for The Joint Commission which allowed her more flexibility in traveling.
“Loree (LoLo, as my son named her) is a fantastic woman who is passionate about her family and friends. We’ve enjoyed knowing her and her family since our boys were in elementary school,” stated longtime friend, Rhonda Klug. “Loree was involved with then Dogs for the Deaf prior to me knowing her, though I know her passion for the mission and the dogs continues to this day.”
Loree and her family have had a love for dogs for many years. Her daughter had raised puppies for both Guide Dogs for the Blind and Dogs for the Deaf while in high school.
She is a graduate of Fresno State where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and earned her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Gonzaga.
“Dogs for Better Lives holds a very special place in my heart,” stated Loree Seibert. “My daughter had an opportunity to receive a Career Change Dog [non-graduating] from them, as well as raise a puppy for Service Dog training, which I enjoyed being a part of. I will always continue to support and believe in their mission. I love that DBL is changing lives, all at no cost to their clients.”
New signage erected in recently dedicated, The Seibert Family Field of Memories.
The initial work on the Field of Memories took place earlier this spring with Elite Contracting, LLC (White City, OR), who significantly discounted their costs on the project. Final rock placements, grading and layout were overseen by DBL’s former Facilities Manager, Tony with assistance from Easterseals volunteer Ben.
Nearly 35 people attended the unveiling of The Seibert Family Field of Memories, including DBL staff, board members, and friends and family of Loree Seibert. Joining Loree at the event, was her daughter Brittany, who has two stones in the garden, in memory of both Finnegan and Tioga.
The Seibert Family Field of Memories is currently at capacity and unfortunately not accepting new memorial stones, though people with stones in the garden, are encouraged to come out and visit the memorial garden and campus with an appointment.
The Seibert Family Field of Memories is such a wonderful gift of Love. Also, thank you to Elite Contracting for their generosity. Dogs who have given so much should be honored and remembered. Thank you, Seibert family, and all who have participated.
This brings tears to my eyes.
I have been holding on to the ashes of two of my dogs (siblings) for the past 17 years, because I haven’t been able to find a place which felt as special as they were special to me. I was fortunate to have had my adopted (and dearest) friends for 15 years of their lives.
Loree Seibert, I am overwhelmed by your generous and gracious heart. JeanEllen