Featured Recipient: Laurie & Kash

Laurie McGruder, who is paired with service dog Kash, has overcome many challenges with her service dog by her side. After a break-in at her home in March 2009, Laurie suffered from severe PTSD. “I was in a constant state of panic and oftentimes refused to leave my bedroom. My health deteriorated, and my chronic pain, migraines, and seizures were out of control,” Laurie said.

Laurie’s Life Before Kash

One weekend after her assault, Laurie’s neighbors asked her to watch their small dog while they were on vacation. Over that weekend, Laurie began getting out of bed and taking the dog for walks around her neighborhood. Her family took notice since it was unusual for her to leave the home. This prompted them to begin researching medical service dog training organizing, leading them to discover Guardian Angels Medical Dogs.

Twinkle: Laurie’s First Service Dog

In May 2011, Laurie was paired with Twinkle- one of the first dogs Guardian Angels paired. “Through Twinkle’s steadfast loyalty and hard work, I began living again. I started doing things most people take for granted, such as going to the grocery store and doctor appointments,” Laurie said. Within a month of being paired, Twinkle accompanied Laurie to Her son’s high school graduation.

When her son attended college at Georgia Tech, Twinkle and Laurie attended a football game as well as her son’s college graduation. “We traveled all over the US and even took a cruise to the Bahamas. Unfortunately, Twinkle retired from service dog work at the beginning of 2019. Even though she was at home, she was slowing down, which slowed me down. I started regressing and did not want to go out by myself,” Laurie said.

How Laurie Was Paired with Kash

In May 2019, Laurie learned that a successor service dog was ready to be paired with her, so she made the trip to Williston to meet her new service dog. “Just like everyone meeting their service dog for the first time, I was filled with lots of emotions, including fear. What if the new dog doesn’t like me? What if Twinkle doesn’t get along with the new dog? As soon as the staff brought Kash out to meet me, my fears settled down when he climbed in my lap and gave me the biggest kiss ever,” Laurie said.

She and Kash spent the next 11 days going through training and learning to work with each other. When she brought Kash home, Twinkle and he got along great. Laurie said Twinkle seemed to recognize that Kash was there to help her so she could relax. “It was surprising to see, but Kash also did service dog work for Twinkle, checking on her constantly. Since that day, Kash has never left my side. He is my steadfast, loyal companion, allowing me to continue moving forward and building upon Twinkle’s success,” Laurie said.

A few years after Laurie and Kash were paired, she was asked to be a part of the Experienced Team Panel, which she accepted. “I absolutely love volunteering for this position. As I have stated several times during these meetings, both Twinkle and Kash helped me in different ways. Twinkle got me out of bed and taught me to start living again. Kash has brought me all the way home, allowing me to be me again. All my friends and family talk about the changes in me. They see the light and laughter in my eyes. They see the happiness as well as the motivation. I have also found my voice and am able to stand up for myself,” Laurie said.

When she first came to Guardian Angels, Laurie said she was a broken person—severely afraid of leaving her room. However, with Kash by her side, she has been able to accomplish so many things, including finding her voice. “I no longer consider myself a victim but a survivor!” Laurie said.

In 2020, she returned to the workforce and started her own business working from home. She purchased her first home this year, crediting Twinkle and Kash for helping her achieve these goals. When she isn’t working, Laurie takes the time to travel and hike. She said Kash’s favorite place is McCormick’s Creek State Park, where he loves playing in the creek as they hike and take in the fall colors.

Learn more about our recipients here.

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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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