Dana Hockensmith is the father of Philip (1971-2001), who had severe developmental disabilities. In 1977, Dana, along with his wife, Susan, founded the Pony Bird Home in Jefferson County. The home initially served 10 children with developmental disabilities, and now serves over 60 adults with developmental disabilities. Dana has served on the Board of Directors since its founding, including as President. He was Co-Chairman of the "Special Ones" campaign (Senate Bill 40 election), and he served as the first Chairman of the Jefferson County Commission for the Handicapped. During his time with the Commission, a new sheltered workshop, Jeffco Subcontracting, was built, and he served on it's Board as Chairman. He was appointed to the Board of the Midwest Special Needs Trust. Dana has a degree in Business Administration (Finance), Cum Laude, and a Juris Doctor degree, both from the University of Missouri, Columbia. In his forty years of legal practice, he represented numerous individuals and families of individuals with both physical and intellectual disabilities in matters involving education, placement, finances, medical rights, guardianship, and estate planning. Dana represented a number of organizations supporting persons with developmental disabilities, including the Autism Society of America. Dana has two daughters, Angela and Laura.