We chose AIA because we had heard from other happy clients of AIA that this was a reliable, knowledgeable, trustworthy, fair and helpful outfit. And, indeed they were!

   The folks who assisted us in the USA were all terrific. They were willing to sit and discuss the process as much as needed. AIA was always honest in its presentation and made sure we understood where any bumps in the road might appear in the process. As much as possible, the good people at AIA tried their best to help us cut costs and stay within our budget. It was easy to see that AIA had extensive knowledge of the complicated legal processes that have to be completed in both countries. Also, having lifelong Russian residents assisting from the USA side was very reassuring to us. Our facilitators in Russia were a Godsend. They handled all the details and let us focus on the children as much as possible. They did all that was possible to make us feel comfortable in a foreign land.

   Without reservation, we wholeheartedly recommend AIA to anyone thinking of adoption. These people are professionals who treat their clients with love and respect.

   We chose AIA after interviewing several agencies because we felt most confident and comfortable with them. Our Home Study Agency had encouraged us to carefully research our agency and not make an emotional decision in such an important matter. They recommended agencies that were listed in the Report on Intercountry Adoption. We found Alaska International on the Internet along with many other agencies. AIA was listed in the recommended source book. We contacted several agencies, got information on their procedures and costs, and spoke personally with someone at each agency. The size of Alaska International Adoption was reassuring to us (we assumed we would receive timely attention to our adoption). Our initial contact with Natasha Kokaurova was very positive. She was informative and prompt with information promised. After all of the research and the personal contact with Natasha, we were confident in our selection of Alaska International Adoption Agency.

   We would recommend AIA to other prospective, adoptive parents.

   We were very pleased with the manner that our adoption process was handled both here and in Russia. The agency representatives were energetic, informative, knowledgeable, thorough, and pleasant in all matters.

   We were very pleased with the cooperation and advise we received from AIA. We would be happy to speak with anyone interested in adoption if they have any questions.

   The only contact we had from anyone at AIA was with Natalia. We dealt with her on many occasions. Natalia coordinated our trip to Russia from Alaska. She was very helpful and thorough with her advice and kept us informed as what to expect while we were there.

   Our experience with AIA began in late May 2001, when my wife and I were still in the process of selecting an agency to help us in adopting a little boy from Russia. After spending countless hours of research in Russian Adoption Bulletin Boards gathering information and sorting through opinions about as many agencies as possible, it occurred to me that only one agency had not received a single comment from former or current clients that was anything short of 100% positive. That agency was Alaska International Adoption Agency.

   As someone who has always preferred "face to face" relationships, the concept of working with an agency as far from our home in Massachusetts as Anchorage, Alaska seemed a bit scary to me, but I decided that if even half of what I had read about AIA was true, it was certainly worth a phone call. It turned out to be a phone call that would change our lives forever.

   Olga Byrnes, the agency’s director, immediately impressed me. She was knowledgeable, pleasant and straightforward. There was no pressure on her part, just good information and a thorough explanation of how the adoption process worked with her agency. When the conversation had ended, we had been offered information about the little boy who would eventually become our son.

   The next several months were filled by phone calls, faxes, e-mails and seemingly endless paperwork. As we moved through the process, Olga remained patient, professional and ethical. She always responded to our questions and concerns in a prompt and courteous manner, and I always felt that she took a genuine personal interest in making sure that we were completely comfortable with the lifetime decisions and choices we were making.

   When it came time to travel, again I wondered: what would our experience in Russia be like? We were hardly "seasoned" travelers, and now we faced a journey that would take us three quarters of the way around the world to a country with a different language and culture. Add all the emotion and excitement of meeting our future child, and it was clear that this was going to be quite an adventure.

   Upon landing in Khabarovsk, any worries we had were immediately put to rest. The AIA staff in Khabarovsk was simply some of the most warm, caring and helpful people that I have ever met…anywhere. Throughout both trips, they answered all our questions and took care of all our needs. They were precise and efficient during the preparation and presentation of all our documents and thorough and insightful in preparing us for the hospital visits and courtroom experience. What really set them apart and made our time in Khabarovsk special, however, was the personal interest that they took. They went far out of their way to do special things for us, and by the time we left to bring our son home, they had become not just facilitators, but real friends who we miss very much.

   Today, as we sit in our living room on Christmas morning with our son, we share a feeling of happiness that six months ago we had only dreamed of. Olga Byrnes and Alaska International Adoption Agency have made our adoption experience one that we will remember and treasure for the rest of our lives. With no hesitation whatsoever, I would recommend this agency to anyone.

Bruce and Leslie Mahaffey, proud parents of
Jackson Anton Mahaffey.