Member Highlight: Jim Nordin

James “Jim” Nordin (Local 68 – St. Paul, MN) has spent his life building - building homes, building relationships, and building community. Jim began his union carpenter journey on September 7, 1977, inspired by family and his early training at the St. Paul College (formally known as St. Paul Technical Vocational Institute) carpentry program. He had no way of knowing that his trades career would last over forty years, or that retirement would lead him to a completely new purpose in life.

Jim spent the first eight years of his career working for several contractors before finding his long-term home with Olympic Companies for the last 33 years. As a Carpenter Foreman, he became known for running mid-size projects and he took pride in unique, complex builds. He worked on several Schneiderman’s Furniture locations and a few high-profile projects like the Target Center, home of the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

One of his favorite technical parts of working in the trades was laying out top track and creating curved walls with a hand radius bending machine, carefully crimping and shaping track to achieve perfect arcs. “That was the kind of work I loved,” he shared. “Anything that challenged me on the job.” 

Jim retired in September 2019, but his next chapter had already begun. A few years before retirement, Jim was preparing for a new kind of service. He became interested in therapy dog work around 2017 and began training with his first dog, Drake Toby, a Yorkipoo which is a mix of Yorkshire Terrier and a Poodle. Drake Toby quickly became an exceptional therapy companion. 

Drake Toby brought joy to countless people while visiting the MSP Airport, the Mall of America, assisted living homes, and community events. When COVID hit, therapy dogs could not visit hospitals or large groups, but Jim and Drake Toby found ways to continue serving through small, distanced visits and comfort sessions. 

Jim and Drake Toby while on a therapy dog visit. 

Drake Toby passed away at age 9, but not before Jim and his wife welcomed a second dog into their lives, Dash Toby, another Yorkipoo who became a therapy dog 10 days after his first birthday. 

Three years later, Dash Toby and Jim volunteer many hours each month through North Star Therapy Animals, bringing comfort and joy to people of all ages. Regular visits include stops at Woodwinds Hospital, St. John’s Hospital, assisted living facilities, Christ Lutheran Preschool in North St. Paul, student programs and numerous one-time community events. 

Dash Toby at Woodwinds Hospital in St. Paul, MN.

Dash Toby is trained for high-stress environments with noise, crowds, and unpredictable situations. Those skills come in handy at their busiest annual event, the Minnesota State Fair, where they meet hundreds of people a day. 

Jim explained that therapy training is rigorous. Dogs go through obedience work, socialization in busy spaces like Home Depot, hospital-simulation training, an online exam, and in-person scenario-based evaluations in the Twin Cities. Every two years they must be re-certified but Dash Toby loves his job. “When he sees his leash, his bandana, and his backpack,” Jim said, “he knows it’s time to work. He shifts right into therapy mode.” 

While their visits run year-round, things get especially busy during the holiday season. Jim and Dash Toby participate in events across the metro area, including work with religious charities, community celebrations, and mall events. On December 5, Dash will be at Rosedale Center helping during photos with Santa– one of their most popular volunteer events of the year. 

Jim and Dash Toby at a Fraser event for kids with autism in St. Paul, MN, last year.

Jim Nordin has always been someone who builds, in the field and in his retirement. He builds connection, comfort, and community through his work with North Star Therapy Animals. His decades of service as a carpenter and now as a therapy dog handler remind us of the many ways our members continue to make an impact long after they hang up their tool belts.

Learn more about Dash Toby’s therapy work and upcoming events at dashtoby.com.