Question: Does Kristin Chenoweth have a service dog when she travels?

Answer: “Maddie is NOT a service dog. She is an emotional support animal. just fyi”

(Direct quote from Kristin Chenoweth, via Twitter.)

Kristin Chenoweth – Singer, Actress – And Humanitarian

Everyone knows that Kristin Chenoweth is an amazing singer. Her talent is almost unnatural! She can sing Broadway show tunes, opera, pop music, country and western,  jazz… There is simply nothing she cannot sing, and sing better than just about anybody.

She is one of the greatest Broadway stars of all time. I have seen almost every major Broadway show Kristin Chenoweth has been in. If you ask me my favorite, I simply could not choose! She was fabulous in “Promises, Promises,” hilarious in “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown” touching in “The Apple Tree,” and unforgettable in “Wicked.”

Need an actress? Kristin Chenoweth was wickedly funny in “GCB,” indescribably wonderful in “Pushing Daisies,” (for which she won a coveted Emmy Award) and completely believable as a buttoned down presidential Press Secretary in the classic drama “The West Wing.”

In addition to all that, she is an amazingly nice human being. Although I have never met her in person, twice Kristin Chenoweth has done small favors for me that have touched me deeply and helped my students.

So, other than winning the genetic looks lottery, having a once in a generation voice, possessing spectacular acting talent AND being funny, earning a Master’s degree, plus being a truly considerate person, what does Kristin Chenoweth have going for her? The best is yet to come!

The answer is: a heart filled with charity. After adopting her beloved dog Maddie, she formed “Maddie’s Corner,” a charity that provided support for people helping animals and animals that are helping people. She raised tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention national awareness, all in the hope of making life better for animals and people.

Their mission statement was:

Our Mission as we begin this project is to bring attention and support to animals in need – more specifically, homeless animals in shelters/rescue – and groups working on their behalf, as well as to highlight the many ways animals help people in need and enrich our lives. We hope to increase awareness about responsible pet ownership and the joys of including animals in our lives, to educate about and to inspire humane attitudes toward animals, and to provide resources to those groups working directly with animals in need as well as those working with animals to assist people in need.

I had the great joy going to hear Kristin Chenoweth in concert many times. The greater joy was bringing my daughter E. J. to her show. EJ  raised money for “Maddies Corner” with a garage sale, a lemonade stand, and even going door to door. Kristin Chenoweth thanked her personally with a loving shout-out.  I hope she can sense how many good acts she has encouraged through the power of her charitable, loving, nature. She is not just a superstar on stage. She is a superstar human being.

As a father, a former Peace Corps volunteer, and a Christian, I take the concept of role model quite seriously. Kristin Chenoweth is a role model I hold up for my daughter as an example of a person who lives her faith and makes the world better for it.