Laura Lee Franks, Founder and Executive Director
For years, Laura Lee was the person stray dogs seemed to find. Before Austin became a no-kill city, she wasn’t comfortable taking her foundlings to Austin Animal Center, so she set out to rehome them herself, eventually aligning with a local mixed-breed rescue group for guidance and kicking off her dog rescue experience. She has volunteered as a foster (and three-time adopter) for Heart of Texas Lab Rescue since 2004 and a walker and foster for Austin Animal Center since 2014. She also works with her tracking Labrador, Rufus, to search for lost dogs alongside the Trapping, Rescue, and Pet Recovery Service (TRAPRS).
Laura Lee has also held long-term volunteer positions with such human-centric organizations as The Safe Alliance, Project Transitions, and Hospice Austin. An engineer and project manager by training, she enjoys yoga and artistic pursuits in her spare time; Laura Lee is dedicated to leveraging her left- and right-brain experiences to create an organized, sustainable nonprofit that is as resilient as her blind dog, Maverick, whose journey from uncertain to unstoppable opened her eyes and heart to the potential of disabled dogs.
Cyndy Lopez, Board Member
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Cyndy has been volunteering for decades with a variety of local and national programs, such as the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Girl scouts and RED HORSE. Cyndy has probably spent more time volunteering than working in a paid position, thanks to her amazing husband, his work and dedication to family. Family participation has always been a key part of volunteering for the Lopez family, everyone had to be involved, creating memories while helping others, experiencing unique opportunities, traveling, camping and meeting some fascinating people.
So, you may be wondering, what brought Cyndy to The Unstoppables Project? After losing her dog, Denali, her husband thought Denali needed a Legacy of Love. When Denali was rescued, she was found in a bad situation, literally skin and bones. Denali had several issues with skin infections, crystals in her eyes, heart murmur, MRSA and extremely fragile bones due to years of malnutrition. Denali even had her tail amputated after a wagging incident, leaving her a boxer tail. Denali loved her family and protected them fiercely. No one dared get close to Cyndy’s truck when Denali was inside.
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To honor Denali, Cyndy and Jesse wanted to adopt a dog that would normally be overlooked for medical issues. Jesse saw a video of two young pups running and falling on YouTube and remembered their names. They found additional information on The Unstoppables Project website. These beautiful dogs are siblings with neuro issues that causes them to wobble. They definitely aren’t Weebles because they do fall down! Tessa and Jessa were not listed as a bonded pair, but at 9 months old and still together; how could they be separated? Cyndy inquired about both girls, their needs and discussed the unique challenges of living in rural Alaska with a neurological condition. A few days later Cyndy and Jesse were approved for adoption and their journey began. Travel challenges during covid required that Cyndy travel in 7 states, have 6 flights and spend 26 hours driving to pick up the girls and get them home to Alaska.
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The Mal Gals, Tessa and Jessa, have taught Cyndy a lot about perseverance. They may move differently and have some falls, but they are happy and healthy. They are truly unstoppable, and they are the reason Cyndy is here now: to help other animals that have challenges to overcome.
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This is a journey of love. Learning that no matter how often you fall the simple act of getting back up makes all the difference.
Madison Williams, Board Member
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Madison’s passion for dogs began in early childhood and became a full-time obsession after adopting a puppy who started showing reactivity over time. She started out on a dog training journey that sparked interest in learning different dog drives and personalities. Madison found The Unstoppables Project through her dog trainers and was very interested in the mission as well as learning more about dogs with disabilities.
Since starting her training journey with her reactive pup, Madison adopted a second fearful dog, become a volunteer for Luling Animal Welfare Society, a little shelter with big heart, rescued many dogs off the streets, interned under her dog trainers and joined the Board of The Unstoppables Project. Madison's most recent adoption is her first disabled dog, Enzo, a tripod with some big fears. Her goal is to train with Enzo until he is able to become a therapy dog to work with veterans who also have disabilities. Her passion for learning and background in training keeps her interested in working with, supporting and training dogs with disabilities.