Featured Recipient: Cara & Connie Awarded at the Concert of Light for Veterans

The Military Assistance Program (MAP) holds an annual Concert of Light for Veterans, where they also surprise nominated veterans with $5,000-$10,000 for the holiday. This year, MAP contacted Guardian Angels to search for a nominee, as they were interested in veterans who have service dogs and are in some financial need.

Our National Recipient Relations Director nominated Cara, who is paired with her service dog Connie, for this year’s award. She served in the Army from 2001-2003. Cara’s disabilities include PTSD and a traumatic brain injury caused by traumatic experiences while she was enlisted. After being honorably discharged in 2003, Cara and her husband started a family. She was experiencing the increasing effects of PTSD with the demands of motherhood coupled with the lingering trauma, and Cara knew she needed additional support. Cara applied to Guardian Angels for a service dog and was placed on the waitlist in February 2021.

Just one month later, on March 17, 2021, Cara made a heartbreaking call to Guardian Angels to share that her husband had been killed in a tragic accident. The loss was devastating, sending shockwaves through her life and deeply affecting her two children.

Cara was paired with her first service dog in November 2021. Her dog helped her reduce isolation, reconnect with her children, and navigate daily life with greater stability. But less than a year later, Hurricane Ian struck, causing more than $100,000 in damage to her home. Cara continues to deal with the aftermath—ongoing repairs, replacing essentials, and shouldering the significant financial strain left in the storm’s wake.

In December 2022, her first service dog retired, and in September 2023, she was paired with Connie, who has been a joy to the entire household and has helped Cara continue to heal.

This year, Cara was selected to attend the Concert of Light in Prince George, VA, and was awarded $10,000. She shared that the funds will be a tremendous help toward repairing her home and expressed deep gratitude for MAP’s generosity and for Guardian Angels’ nomination.

To support veterans like Cara, visit here to make a donation and help us continue our mission of pairing life-changing service dogs with veterans, first responders, and civilians living with permanent disabilities.

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Mary Jo Brandt

Mary Jo has an extensive history working with the media as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Northern Illinois University. Mary Jo has worked for companies such as Gannett, News Bank Inc., E.W. Scripps Company, Lee Enterprises, Pulitzer, Inc., Arthur Andersen, and has been involved with Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. since 2011. Ms. Brandt has had many hours of training in leadership, coaching, and mentoring. Her teams have consistently been highly effective in support of organizational mission and goals. She has one son, Paul who is currently in the Navy, and a daughter, Amanda in college and working full-time for a law firm in Naples. Ms. Brandt began volunteering with Guardian Angels after both her father and previous employer received a Guardian Angels Service Dog in 2011. Seeing the incredible difference service dogs could make in the lives of their recipients, she became involved through volunteering her time & talent to Guardian Angels. Ms. Brandt was then asked to join the Board of Directors and has served as a Board Member since 2013. Recently, Mary Jo has been named as a 2021 Patriot Scholarship recipient from Colorado Technical University. When asked why this scholarship and completing her Master’s Degree in Business Administration was so important to her, she responded, “This scholarship represents how important education is to our military/veterans and their families. I am honored to be part of this unique community. I am already in a career that demonstrates my commitment to helping others, I expect finishing this degree will allow me to be much more effective in my pursuit of working with our Veterans. This scholarship isn’t just about me. It is about how I can help others.” Today we face an even bigger challenge that none of us saw coming during the midst of the pandemic and worldwide economic collapse beginning to unfold. Yet again, Mary Jo is stepping up to the plate to be sure that our organization continues to serve those that need us, as we triumph in the face of untold adversity of today’s world. Businesses will only survive these difficult times because of leaders like Mary Jo.

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