Jody said his life before Nick was a wreck. With his medical conditions, high blood pressure, that unmedicated could top over 300 (would have to have an arterial catheter to read his blood pressure), volatile blood sugars (way high, way low swings), having survived adrenal cancer, and surviving a very rare heart syndrome called Wolfe Parkinson White Syndrome.
Every little pain, ache, tremor, had Jody on edge. Jody said he was suicidal for a while because he was so tired of medicating eight pills two or three times a day and not getting better. And to add PTSD to the mix, his social experiences were spiraling out of control, and he was withdrawing quickly.
The same week Jody received Nick, he went out to dinner with strangers and got his first tattoo. Jody says he swears his blood pressure dropped because he felt great. Nick immediately started alerting to his blood sugars. When Jody went for a checkup, he learned that his blood pressure was 155/82, numbers he hadn’t seen in 20 years. “It has to be Nick and his super suit!! (That’s what we call his vest),” said Jody.
Jody said that Nick has quickly become part of the family and has become fast friends with your daughter. “[Nick] Really helps with the home life, and I hope he is starting to repair our family. It was stressed,” said Jody.
To learn more about our recipients, visit the Meet Our Recipients page today!
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.
Latest posts by Mary Jo Brandt (see all)
- Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season - December 5, 2025
- Featured Recipient: Cara & Connie Awarded at the Concert of Light for Veterans - December 5, 2025
- Guardian Angels NAMED FINALIST FOR THE 2025 DEFENDER SERVICE AWARDS, PRESENTED BY CHASE - September 30, 2025
