Karen served as a Navy Corpsman for 20 years, where she witnessed many horrific injuries and events. She went on to work as an ambulance crew member and later as an ER Supervisor, where seeing trauma was an everyday occurrence. As a woman veteran, Karen also experienced sexual assault and sexual discrimination.
These experiences led Karen to develop PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Karen attended counseling for years; eventually, her counselor suggested getting a service dog to help her.
Although she had never considered getting a service dog before, she decided to give it a try and applied for a service dog through Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.
“Working with Guardian Angels has given me my life back. I didn’t have a life before. I just existed. I didn’t live life. I missed my daughter’s school programs and summer activities, everything. I had withdrawn into a shell,” Karen said.
She said her service dog Patton helps her get through the day and also assists her throughout the night by waking her from nightmares. Patton also assists Karen in public when her anxiety grows by shielding her and focusing her attention on him rather than her surroundings.
Although he was not explicitly trained to do so, Patton does alert Karen when her blood sugar is high or low. She discovered this when Patton kept popping up to alert her during a church presentation rather than lying down like usual. “They always say to check and see what’s wrong with you first, so I checked my blood sugar, which was sky high; it’s amazing what they can do,” Karen said.
Patton helps Karen get out and live her life. She travels alone with Patton and even goes to breakfast occasionally, just the two of them. “That light at the end of the tunnel doesn’t seem to be a train anymore,” Karen said.
Karen encouraged others who are considering a service dog to take the leap. “Reach out; you have nothing to lose. Guardian Angels are truly that, angels, from the dogs to the staff. Everyone has been so helpful, ” Karen said.
To learn more about recipients like Karen, visit our website 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.
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