Dedication.

To my wife, Cybill, for everything. And I mean everything. For the sacrifices, the hard days, the tears, the doctors' appointments, the patience, and for standing beside me while it took me twenty years to finally find my calling. For all the times you made me go do stuff.

To Christopher, for claiming a lost kid as your little brother. I would not have made it without your support, guidance, and belief in me.

To Elysia, for always being the reasonable voice when I need it the most. A true big sister.

To Teena and Bruce, for taking a kid in off the street and giving him a chance. I hope I have made you proud.

To all five of my nieces and nephews, for teaching me so much about myself and for letting me experience unconditional love for the first time in my life.

To Mario and Sandy, for some of my most joyful moments, and for keeping me in the family no matter what.

Dr. Judit Sule and Nurse Care Manager Lindsay Steinbach

My dynamic duo and forever in my corner. I am truly grateful for your care, patience, support, and everything you have done to help me keep moving forward. You helped me navigate complicated systems, encouraged me to advocate for myself, and showed up for me again and again.

Dr. Katie Capp

The pulmonologist who broke down all my walls, showed me true compassion, and saved my life. I hope you and your family are doing well, and that life since the move has been good for you. None of this would have happened if you had not been there when I needed someone to truly see me. I hope to spend the rest of my life paying that forward and, through this website, helping others help others. I am forever in your debt.

To the guys I know I can always count on. You helped guide me through my professional life, but more than that, you gave me examples I could actually follow. I have tried to model my goals, my work, and my actions after what I learned from you. My start in Social Work would not have been possible without you.

To Nate, always living the dream. Seeing you in the store with your family so often stuck with me. That helped me understand what I wanted life to be. Something real. You have been a lifelong mentor, example, and friend, and I have tried to follow the path you helped me see.

To Aaron, for allowing me to prove myself. For not forgetting about me, for believing I could do more, and for everything you taught me both at work and in life.

To Jim, JC3, for always answering the phone, even when we were working two thousand miles apart. A true mentor. You always backed me, challenged me, and helped me succeed. I am always a phone call away and eager to repay the debt I owe you.

To the educators, supervisors, field instructors, agencies, and organizations who open doors for students, thank you.

You know how much one yes can matter. A practicum placement can be the first time a student feels like this work is possible. It can be the difference between feeling shut out and feeling like there is a place for them to learn, grow, and belong.

Thank you for making room, taking time, correcting with care, and helping students become the kind of helpers they hope to be.

You are not just signing off on hours. You are helping shape people who will go on to sit with others on some of the hardest days of their lives.

To every student staring at a practicum requirement and wondering where to even begin, this is for you.

To the students balancing school, work, family, disability, military transition, financial pressure, grief, health issues, uncertainty, and fear while still trying to move forward, this is for you.

To the students who do not have a network, do not know who to call, are afraid of hearing no, or feel like everyone else already knows what they are doing, this is for you.

You belong in this work.

The search may be hard, but you should not have to do it alone. You should not have to start from nothing. You should not have to guess your way through a process that can shape your education, your confidence, and your future.

Doodle exists because I know that feeling, and I do not want the next person to feel so alone in it.