Bill Flanagan to Emcee Anniversary Event

PITTSBURGH, PA – On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Pittsburgh will gather for a night of storytelling, resilience, and community at An Evening of Inspiring Tales and Tails, an extraordinary celebration hosted by Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs to mark its 15th anniversary of changing lives through service dogs.

At the heart of this inspiring evening will be one of the most trusted and respected voices in the region: Bill Flanagan.

A Voice for the Region, A Voice for This Mission

Bill Flanagan, Special Advisor to the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and producer and host of WPXI’s “Our Region’s Business,” will serve as the evening’s emcee. A respected journalist, author, and long-time advocate for regional innovation and growth, Flanagan has dedicated his career to shining a light on the people and ideas shaping Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.

With an unmatched ability to connect, inspire, and inform, Bill brings his signature insight to this meaningful cause—supporting our nation’s heroes through the life-changing work of service dogs.

As the emcee, Flanagan will guide attendees through a program filled with purpose, honoring the veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities who have reclaimed their independence through Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.

Carol Borden on Bill Flanagan: A True Friend to Our Mission

“We are beyond honored to have Bill Flanagan join us as the emcee for our 15th anniversary celebration,” said Carol Borden, Founder and CEO of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs. “Bill has been a steadfast supporter of our mission, even welcoming us on his show Our Region’s Business to help spread the word about the life-saving work we do. His dedication to uplifting stories that matter—and to helping us bring awareness to the healing power of service dogs—means the world to us.”

Evening Highlights Include Medal of Honor Recipient and 9/11 Hero

While Flanagan leads the evening, guests will also be moved by powerful keynote speakers, including:

Kyle Carpenter, Medal of Honor recipient, will share his journey of sacrifice, recovery, and living with purpose after using his body to shield a fellow Marine from a grenade.
Jack Oehm, retired FDNY Battalion Commander and 9/11 First Responder, who lost more than 20 colleagues on September 11th and now speaks across the country on healing and resilience.

VIP guests and sponsors will have the opportunity to meet both speakers during the exclusive Pre-Event VIP Reception from 6:00 to 7:00 PM.

Proudly Sponsored by PNC Bank

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is proud to announce PNC Bank as the Premier Sponsor for this unforgettable evening. Their support exemplifies a strong commitment to honoring those who have served and sacrificed for our country. We are deeply grateful for their partnership in helping us make a profound impact in the lives of veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities.

Event Details

The Event Center, Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh
Saturday, May 17, 2025
6:00–7:00 PM: VIP Reception
6:30–10:00 PM: Dinner & Program
Cocktail Attire

To attend, sponsor, or learn more, visit www.medicalservicedogs.org or contact Brian Delong at bdelong@medicalservicedogs.org.

Together, let’s celebrate the stories, the service, and the strength that make Pittsburgh—and our heroes—unforgettable.

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Carol Borden

The Founder and CEO of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc., Carol Borden, titled her first dog at the age of ten. Mrs. Borden has logged nearly 60 years training dogs in multiple disciplines, from competition to training a dog for a movie, to training the #1 Service Dog in the US, which was the first service dog to ever become the Top American Dog Hero winning over all categories of working dogs in the United States. She started the non-profit Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs organization in 2010.

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.