Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone: Mary Jo Brandt’s 10-year anniversary of service and leadership within the organization.
A decade of dedication to one mission is no small achievement. In a world where leadership roles often change quickly, Mary Jo’s long-standing commitment to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs speaks volumes about her character, her values, and her belief in the life-changing work the organization performs every day. Over the past 10 years, she has not only supported the mission but also sustained and strengthened it.
As Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mary Jo has played an essential role in helping Guardian Angels grow, adapt, and remain grounded in its purpose of changing lives through medical service dogs. Her longevity within the organization reflects far more than professional consistency. It reflects loyalty, resilience, and a deep personal investment in the people and mission she serves.
A Decade of Steady Leadership
Mary Jo brings an exceptional blend of business acumen, leadership experience, and heart to her role. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Northern Illinois University and a Master of Business Administration from Colorado Technical University, where she is also currently a doctoral candidate.
Her professional background includes work with prominent organizations such as Gannett, NewsBank, Inc., E.W. Scripps Company, Lee Enterprises, Pulitzer, Inc., and Arthur Andersen. Across media, business operations, and organizational leadership, she has built a reputation for leading teams with purpose and aligning people around meaningful goals. At Guardian Angels, that same steady leadership has become part of the organization’s foundation over the last decade.
That long-term impact is something her colleagues know firsthand.
Maranda Jacob, M.S., National Recipient Relations Director, shared, “I’ve known Mary Jo for over eight years, and she consistently puts the organization’s best interests first. Her dedication and work ethic are impressive—honestly, I’m not sure she has an ‘off’ button. It’s remarkable to see someone handle such a demanding role for 10 years while still maintaining her optimism.”
Charlotte Rogers, DVM, explained that, “Mary Jo’s leadership has had a tremendous impact on both our organization and the people fortunate enough to work alongside her. She is a tireless advocate for ensuring both our dogs in training and our service dog recipients receive the care they need, and she consistently supports the veterinary programs that protect the health and longevity of our dogs. Along the way, she has even earned honorary status as part of the veterinary team after always being willing to help us with a few hands-on animal moments she probably never expected to sign up for.
Mary Jo leads with both compassion and determination, and her encouragement has made an extraordinary difference as I continue to build and strengthen our veterinary program. After ten years of dedication to this mission, she has more than earned the occasional reminder from me at the end of a long email just to make sure she read the whole thing: “Bananas, Mary Jo!”
A Connection That Began With the Mission
Mary Jo’s relationship with Guardian Angels began even before this 10-year leadership milestone. She has been involved with the organization since 2011, after witnessing firsthand the life-changing impact of service dogs when both her father and a former employer received Guardian Angels service dogs. That experience made the mission deeply personal. Moved by the profound difference these dogs made, she began volunteering her time and talents.
In 2013, she joined the organization’s Board of Directors, beginning what would become more than a decade of meaningful service and lasting leadership.
Her continued presence has brought a sense of stability and strength to Guardian Angels through changing seasons, evolving needs, and unprecedented challenges. During the global pandemic and ongoing economic uncertainty, Mary Jo remained a steady and values-driven leader, helping ensure the organization stayed focused on serving those who need it most. Longevity in any organization is significant, but longevity paired with meaningful impact is what truly defines Mary Jo’s contribution.
The Impact of Long-Term Commitment
Gwyneth Hiesinger, Finance/Office Manager, said, “Congratulations to Mary Jo on a decade of extraordinary impact! Her heart, steady leadership, and unwavering commitment have shaped our organization in countless ways. We are deeply grateful for everything she pours into our mission and our team.”
Founder & CEO Carol Borden, MSDT, NCMI, also reflected on what Mary Jo’s 10 years of service represent: “I am eternally grateful for your decade of service to our organization. Your tenure is more than a number. It is your story of sacrifice, perseverance, tenacity, heart, and passion for the work we do and for the people we are surrounded by who need our help. Thank you for being a driving force behind our mission; you continue to make a massive difference in all of our lives. Looking forward to the next ten years.”
The appreciation for Mary Jo’s long-term service extends throughout the organization. Her leadership has not been momentary or limited to a single chapter. Over the course of 10 years, she has become a trusted guide, a consistent presence, and an example of what it means to stay committed to a mission for the long haul.
Chris Borden, COT, NCMI, Chief Officer of Facilities, put it simply: “She is the glue that holds us together.
Connie Kernahan, Program Manager, said, “A decade of service is more than time—it’s a legacy of leadership, heart, and unwavering dedication to a cause greater than ourselves.”
Tiffani Puzel, CPDT-KA, Canine Training Manager, added, “We are all very lucky and fortunate to have Mary Jo as a role model, leader, and mentor.”
A Personal Commitment to Veterans and Families
Mary Jo’s commitment to Guardian Angels is also deeply connected to her advocacy for veterans and their families. A two-time recipient of the Colorado Technical University Patriot Scholarship, awarded for both her Master of Business Administration and her doctoral studies, she sees education as a way to better serve others and expand her impact. That mindset has helped fuel her sustained commitment to the organization and the people it supports.
In addition to her professional and academic accomplishments, Mary Jo is also a proud mother. Her son, Paul, served for 12 years in the U.S. Navy, and her daughter, Amanda, works as a paralegal at a reputable law firm in South Florida. Her family’s connection to service adds even more meaning to the work she has devoted herself to over the years.
Celebrating a Lasting Legacy
Ten years with one organization is a milestone worth celebrating. It represents perseverance, trust, institutional knowledge, and a belief in something bigger than oneself. In Mary Jo Brandt’s case, it also represents a decade spent helping Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs remain strong, mission-focused, and prepared for the future.
As Guardian Angels celebrates Mary Jo’s 10-year anniversary, it is also celebrating the rare and meaningful kind of longevity that leaves a lasting mark. Her decade of service has helped shape the organization, support its people, and advance its mission in ways that will continue to be felt for years to come.
Mrs. Borden’s expertise and accomplishments are acknowledged by numerous national awards from various industries and agencies including the 2018 Corporate Pet Industry Woman of the Year and multiple awards for her organization’s work in mental health and suicide prevention.
She is frequently requested as a Keynote Speaker, and as an Industry Consultant to teach service dog laws to judicial systems, attorneys, and businesses, and to assist in service dog bills in multiple states that were passed into law. In 2020, she started an Institute for Higher Learning and the Borden Veterinary Hospital. Additionally, she has written and teaches college-accredited/VA-approved apprenticeship courses on dog training and service dog training.
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