Working Like Dogs

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Working Like Dogs! Fenway and I sit down with two powerhouse guests from ECAD, Lu Pichard and Olivia Streaman, for a conversation packed with heart, hope, and a whole lot of tail wags. Lu takes us inside ECAD's remarkable work training and placing service dogs with people with disabilities, from children as young as two with autism to veterans living with PTSD. You'll hear how these extraordinary dogs open doors to independence, confidence, and connection for the families and heroes they serve. Olivia shares the groundbreaking legislation ECAD is championing in Connecticut to crack down on fake service dogs, an issue that affects every legitimate service dog team out there. Want to be part of the change? Olivia invites you to add your voice by signing ECAD's petition at https://petition.ecad1.org. Grab your leash, cue up this episode, and discover why ECAD is leading the pack!

BIO:

LU PICARD
Prior to founding ECAD, Lu helped several businesses in their startup efforts and gained experience in business and administration. Though a native of Connecticut, Lu has also lived in Arizona and traveled the country extensively. When Lu’s widowed father suffered a debilitating stroke in 1992 and came to live with them, she quickly recognized that he was becoming more depressed and angry, as he had to rely on someone else for his every move. Lu has a gift of being able to assess the possibilities, the potential of a situation. So, she looked at her Dad, and she looked at the family dog, Jules (short for Juliet.) The leash was in her hand. She pulled, Jules pulled, natural to both woman and dog. Within a short time, Lu had educated Jules to respond to her Dad’s tug by pulling him up to his feet. Then they would walk together. Or maybe Jules would retrieve a favorite magazine or just lie nearby, inseparable from Lu’s dad. To complete the picture that was forming in Lu’s mind, she found that her daughter, who had a learning disability, had no trouble in training Jules to do more and more things that would help her grandfather. In fact, the process was therapeutic and a great confidence builder. The stroke suffered by her father and the frustration her youngest daughter was feeling, drove Lu to find solutions. And, ECAD was born out of that drive, passion and need. Lu and her husband, Dale worked tirelessly researching, networking, following lead after lead to build ECAD into the organization it is now. Lu sees every placement as a remarkable success for the Client, the student-educator and the organization.

OLIVIA STREAMAN

I am a bilingual (Spanish-English) communicator and strategist who leads with empathy, fueled by a deep curiosity to connect people, ideas, and purpose. With a foundation in storytelling and brand-building, I create compelling content that not only resonates but drives measurable results—amplifying voices, engaging communities, and elevating organizational impact.

Known for my resourcefulness and resilience, I bring heart and humility to every challenge, viewing obstacles as opportunities to learn and evolve. Colleagues describe me as a gifted collaborator, a creative thinker, and a connector who energizes teams and moves ideas forward. Whether I’m leading social strategy, crafting internal narratives, or building inclusive campaigns, I work with intention and care—because I believe everyone’s story deserves to be heard, and every mission deserves momentum.