DEL WILKINSON
Del has lived in Santa Fe since moving here from his native Texas in 1992. He is proud to consider himself a "recovering Texan”!
Del was a singer, percussionist, actor, and model for most of his professional life, with nearly all his performing experience in classical music (opera, cantata, oratorio, recital, symphonies) and music theater. He holds degrees in voice and percussion from Abilene Christian University, and a master’s in voice from Eastern New Mexico University. In addition, he engaged in post-graduate work at Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. Other than singing as a soloist at various churches in the Santa Fe area, he no longer performs. |
For many years Del was active with his five therapy and service dogs—golden retrievers, Bernese mountain dogs, and a yellow lab—in the pet therapy program sponsored by the Santa Fe Animal Shelter. They would visit patients and students at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, retirement homes, hospice care, as well as public and private schools. He and his beloved companions established many of the initial pet therapy programs in the City, such as the very first in 1990, based at the former La Residencia Nursing Center, now the Drury Hotel. Another notable example is the program begun in 1998 at Ponce de Leon—now Brookdale Senior Living—which endures as the most well attended pet therapy program in the City.
Del and two of his dogs were trained and graduated from Assistance Dogs of the West in Santa Fe. A number of articles were published in The Santa Fe New Mexican and Journal Santa Fe about the valuable service work they did for the community. In 2012, Del lost Schubert, his last beloved Bernese mountain dog. Since that time he has been without a canine companion because his severe arthritis now makes his formerly active lifestyle of walking, hiking, and camping he once enjoyed with them impossible. 
Mozart, therapy dog
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Del is active on the Meals Team. He likes to cook and excels at transforming food into culinary delights, as many in the community would attest to, having had firsthand experience with his offerings.
A resident of Sand River since 2010, Del has over time witnessed the many changes of an evolving community. High points for him are shared moments of kindness and connection. 
Schubert, the Wonder Dog
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