15th Anniversary of Growth and Life-Changing Impact
Celebrating 15 years of pairing service dogs with individuals facing disabilities, empowering veterans, first responders, and those with permanent disabilities. This year, we are expanding our impact by introducing facility and emotional support dogs, ensuring we meet a broader range of community needs.
Recipient Support Expands to Include Mental Health Services
Partnering with One Brother One Sister, we now provide 24/7 mental health, trauma, and addiction support for recipients, their families, and staff. This partnership integrates mental health education, coping strategies, and life coaching, enhancing the long-term success of our service dog teams.
4 x HIRE Vets Platinum Medallion
For the fourth time (2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024), we were honored by the U.S. Department of Labor for our dedication to hiring and retaining veterans. This recognition underscores our dual mission—empowering veterans through service dog partnerships and meaningful employment opportunities.
Second Location Groundbreaking and Campaign
We proudly broke ground on our 102-acre Pennsylvania campus, which will expand our reach to the northeastern U.S. This facility will feature the Borden Institute of Higher Learning, recipient training housing, and the Borden Veterinary Teaching Hospital, increasing access to service dogs and veterinary care.
Pioneering National Service Dog Standards with the DoD
Guardian Angels was selected by the Department of Defense (DoD) to help establish and evaluate national service dog training and pairing standards. As a multi-year initiative (continuing in 2024 and 2025), we are helping shape the future of government-backed service dog programs for disabled service members and veterans.
In-House Veterinary Hospital Established
We established an on-campus veterinary hospital, ensuring immediate and cost- effective medical care for our service dogs. This initiative allows us to reduce veterinary costs, improve healthcare access, and provide ongoing support to recipients by offering direct guidance from our expert veterinary team.
Honored Multiple Times with National Suicide Prevention Awards
Recognized in both 2020 and 2021, we received the National VETTY Award for our contributions to suicide prevention through service dog partnerships. This award reflects our deep commitment to mental health advocacy and saving lives.
Launch of Fund to Pay Veterinary Expenses for Recipients
We created a Recipient Relief Fund that covers all service dog veterinary costs that exceed $1,300 annually for our recipients. This program removes the burden of veterinary expenses from recipients and ensures their service dogs stay healthy and able to support them.
10 Years of Impact and Innovation
We marked 10 years of innovation and dedication to training and pairing service dogs through impactful programs such as PETS and our Foster Families Initiative. These initiatives have not only changed lives nationwide but have also elevated the standards for service dog training and care.
Alice Named U.S. Hero Dog of the Year
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog, Alice, was named the top service dog in the United States by the American Humane Dog Hero Awards for her life-saving work in seizure alert and mobility assistance. Alice was also the first service dog to ever be named the top American Dog Hero over all categories of working dogs.
HIRE Vets Gold Medallion
We received our first HIRE Vets Gold Medallion from the U.S. Department of Labor, recognizing our commitment to hiring and retaining veterans in the workforce. This achievement marked the beginning of our ongoing dedication to supporting veterans not only through service dogs but also through employment opportunities.
Pioneer of Medical Service Dog Trainer Apprenticeship Program
Pioneer of Medical Service Dog Trainer Apprenticeship Program We launched Florida’s first registered Medical Service Dog Training Apprenticeship Program, approved under the VA’s GI Bill. This program is another example of how Guardian Angels sets industry standards. The 2.5- year program provides hands-on training and a direct career pathway for those passionate about service dog training.
Nationally Honored with the VETTY Award for Mental Health
We were honored with the VETTY Award for Mental Health, recognizing our outstanding contributions to the veteran community. Through our service dogs, we continue to provide lifesaving mental health support to those in need.
National Top Service Dog Honors for Honey
Guardian Angels’ Service Dog, Honey, was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the top five service dogs in the U.S. Her exceptional skills and unwavering dedication set the gold standard for service dog excellence.
Establishing our Mission as a 501(c)(3)
Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs began its mission to rescue, raise, train, and donate highly skilled service dogs. This milestone marked the start of a legacy of compassion, innovation, and impact.
Carol’s Story: The Inspiration Behind Guardian Angels
Founder Carol Borden, inspired by her father, son, and a young man named Sam, saw firsthand how properly trained service dogs could restore independence. Her experience training Bessie, a German Shepherd who became Sam’s life-changing companion, sparked the vision for what is now Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.
