GAMSD Blog

This interview was done in Pittsburgh, as we paired 5 new recipients with Service Dogs. Dustin, who’s had his Service Dog Spangle since August of 2018, and Ben and his Service Dog Bolt, who’ve been together since September of 2019; joined with the newly paired recipients to help them get answers to some of their questions about their new service dogs, and to give a friendly welcome, and some sage advice.

Thanks to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for the great video.

WCJB TVNews20 covers the exciting news that Guardian Angels has received a $25,000 grant from DVNF – the Disabled Veterans National Foundation to train a service dog for a veteran in need.

Watch the full story here:

https://www.wcjb.com/video?vid=508971992

John & his Service Dog, Ranger

Veteran John sits down with Andy Davis to talk about the experiences that led to his #PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury, logo

  • And how his Service Dog, Ranger saved his life.
  • This powerful story gives some true insight into the need for Medical Service Dogs.
  • Many thanks to WorralWind Studios for the photos of John.

Please note that this podcast contains some adult language, and vivid descriptions of combat situations.

If you’d like more information about the #AndyDavisBand Concert coming up, and the full day of events coming up at #WhisperingPinesFarm on June 15th, please visit our event page at:

Andy Davis Bands Live Benefit Concert

And learn more about the full day of activities at Festival in the Woods at Whispering Pines farm that same day

https://www.medicalservicedogs.org

An incredible day in Pittsburgh, as we celebrated our Passing of the Leash Ceremony at Duquesne University on June 12, 2018.

Guests enjoying a delicious luncheon, while hearing the heart-warming stories of our recipients, and how their incredible service dogs have changed their lives.

A friend’s paw: Veterans celebrate with their service dogs

Story by Linda Wilson Fuoco for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette

“The Florida-based nonprofit that has partnered highly trained service dogs with 21 local military veterans will break ground in October on a multimillion-dollar dog breeding and training facility in Robinson, Washington County.

One of Pittsburgh’s highest profile military veterans has been hired as general contractor. RBVetCo is owned and operated by Rocky Bleier, a veteran of  the Vietnam War and Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers teams.

When the facility opens at the end of 2019, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Inc. will be able to double the number of trained dogs it places with veterans each year — from 50 to 100 dogs.

Carol Borden, who founded Guardian Angels in 2009, trains the dogs in Williston, Fla. There are 80 dogs and puppies — most of them German shepherds — in that program at any given time. About 20 percent are homeless dogs taken from animal shelters. Training each dog costs $22,000-$25,000 and takes 18 months. Veterans pay nothing”…

Continue reading the story here:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pets/2018/06/13/Guardian-Angels-Medical-Service-Dogs-passing-of-the-leash-Life-Changing-Service-Dogs-For-Veterans/stories/201806130044

Photography & Videography Credit to: Andrew Rush

WJAX News, Atlanta interviews AFA International President Sara Nelson, Guardian Angels Founder and CEO Carol Borden and Florida State Representative Jimmie T. Smith regarding the impact of fake service animals on our airlines. This story originally aired October 28, 2016. This is Part One of the investigation:

Here’s Part Two of this important Story:

This boutique Naples area Magazine, Waterside Neighbors, featured Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs in their February issue.

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It’s Official!

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc proudly announces that our Founder and CEO, Carol Borden has been nominated for Pet Industry Woman of the Year, 2018 by the Women in the Pet Industry Network.

oval-member-badge

The Women in the Pet Industry Network is a dedicated group of women in the pet industry who come together to grow, learn and network.

Headquartered near Portland, OR.,WIPIN serves a membership base of more than 550 women entrepreneurs worldwide.WIPIN members come from all categories within the pet industry, from groomers and veterinarians to pet sitters and pet boutique owners.

WIPIN membership benefits include: discounted registration to the annual WIPIN conference; a free subscription to the semi-annual Top Women in the Pet Industry Magazine a custom member page on the WIPIN website; the informative Pet Weekly newsletter; along with caring telephone support from real people with real pets; unlimited access to other pet professionals for advice and partnering; discounts on products and services; and monthly educational teleconferences on marketing, social media and other pertinent business-building topics.

For more information, please visit www.womeninthepetindustry.com, or contact Schuh at 503-970-5774 or Shawna@womeninthepetindustry.com.

Carol and Ranger Standing

When asked about the nomination, Carol said “It is truly an honor to be recognized for the important work we do at Guardian Angels. I always have the feeling that I can’t slow down – not as long as 20-22 veterans each day are committing suicide”.

The awards ceremony will be held during the Pet Connections Expo on October 2, 2018 in Oaks, Pennsylvania.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs would like to extend congratulations to all of this years’  award finalists, they are:

The 2018 Pet Industry Woman of the Year Finalists are:

Advocate Finalists

Dee Hoult with Applause Your Paws Jodi Clock with Clock Timeless PetsDr. Judy Morgan, DVM with Naturally Healthy Pets Dr. Sandra Faeh, DVM with Elmhurst Animal Care Center Vicki Lynne Morgan with Animal Brands

Corporate Finalists

Aimee Gilbreath with Michelson Found Animals Foundation 

Carol Borden with Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc Kay Sumner, Melissa Jo Peltier, Sheila Emery with Dog Whisperer Productions, Inc.Margot Crump with Crumps NaturalsSara Morgan with Frenchies Kitchen

Entrepreneur Finalists

Adrienne Preuss with Animal Loving Care Jamie Migdal with FetchFind Julianna Carella with Treatibles Nancy Guinn with Dog Krazy Peggy Hoyt with PetFriendly.Love

Rising Star Finalists

Cynthia Wood with DOOG Nancy Shadlow with Gen7pets Nicole Cammack with Thomaston Feed Suzanne Brean with Dogs for Invisible Disabilities Yasaar Nakchbendi with Chirpy Cats

Solopreneur Finalists

Ann Greenberg with A Pet With Paws, LLC Fiona Robertson with Newflands, Ltd Jen Reeder with Divided Sky Robbi Hess with All Words Matter, Inc. Robyn Kline with Barks, Bones, & Biscuits LLC

Read the Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs full press release below. Hover over the image to enlarge.

Pittsburgh NPR Station WESA 90.5’s Matt Nemeth visited with Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Executive Director, Carol Borden and our recent Pittsburgh recipients during the Guardian Angels team recent visit to “The ‘Burgh”. You can read Matt’s article here: http://wesa.fm/post/service-dogs-life-changing-local-veterans

Photo credit to Matt Nemeth

 

As our Executive Director and Trainer visited with our Regional Coordinator, Tony Accamando and our Pittsburgh recipients, last week in Pittsburgh; The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette took the opportunity of their visit to tell the story of Guardian Angels and our recipients. Below, is the article written by Linda Wilson-Fuoco, and published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on July 16, 2016. Photo credits to Darrell Sapp.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pets/2016/07/16/Guardian-Angels-service-dogs-are-life-savers-for-veterans/stories/201607160050

Click the link below to view a heartwarming story of our 6 Pittsburgh recipients, and to hear their incredible stories.  Our Pittsburgh area Regional Coordinator, Tony Accamando, who owns Veterans Cable Services and started Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans – Tony is driven to help his fellow veterans, and has led the charge in the Pittsburgh area – both generating support and seeking out veterans in need. And stay tuned as they launch a Pittsburgh Community-Wide Fundraiser this fall!

Thank you to KDKA for telling this wonderful story, and for sending a camera crew all the way to Florida to get the story.

Here’s an additional link to view: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2016/07/11/6-local-vets-scarred-by-war-paired-with-service-dogs/

The South Hill Messenger writes a terrific article about our Pittsburgh Regional Coordinator, Tony Accamondo. Tony works incredibly hard to employ veterans through his Veterans’ Cable Services company, and then to pair Pittsburgh area Veterans with Service Dogs from Guardian Angels.  Read the article here: http://www.messengerpaper.com/index.php/news/localnews/9778-nottingham-resident-helps-improve-lives-of-veterans-through-service-dogs

A great read about #ServiceDogs and the services that they provide to their recipients, as well insight into the work that goes into training and pairing these amazing dogs.Click this link to read and enjoy! http://homemagazinegainesville.com/from-isolation-to-engagement/

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is honored to have been awarded the Department of Labor’s HIRE Vets Gold Medallion for 2019. In fact, we are the only company or organization in all of Levy, Alachua, Gilchrist, Dixie, Marion and Citrus Florida Counties combined to receive the award.

The HIRE Vets program is designed to recognize employer efforts to recruit, employ and retain veteran employees.

About the Hire Vets Program: “The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2017 (HIRE Vets Act or the Act), signed by President Trump on May 5, 2017, requires the Secretary of Labor to establish a program, by rule, that recognizes employer efforts to recruit, employ, and retain veterans. Employer-applicants meeting criteria established in the rule will receive a “HIRE Vets Medallion Award.” There are two award tiers: platinum and gold. For each award, the employer must satisfy a set of criteria. Verification of these criteria includes a self-attestation by the applicant and a check for violations of veteran-related DOL labor laws by the U.S. Department of Labor.

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