Featured Recipient: Michael and Santa Paws

Michael Danielson, who is paired with service dog Santa Paws, has a long career in service. He served in the Air Force and then went on to work as a Correctional Officer and then as a Deputy Sheriff. He is also involved in Boy Scouts with his son and enjoys camping, fishing, and hiking with his family and Santa Paws.

Michael’s Life Before Santa

During his career in the military, Michael served in Iraq in 2008, returning home in 2009. He said his experiences in Iraq are where much of his PTSD stems from. At first, Michael was not aware of his PTSD symptoms until his young son asked Michael’s wife why his dad was yelling.

“I didn’t even realize I was doing it. I had no idea I was that person,” Michael said. He attended cognitive processing therapy for his PTSD to help him rethink and learn how to deal with what he had experienced.

Michael said that there was a moment, in addition to having thoughts of ending his own life, when he realized he needed more help. “There was a time when my wife and I met out at the grocery store or another normal palace we could go to. I made a left turn and couldn’t recall how to get home. I called my wife in a panic, and she had to drive back to let me follow her home. The therapy worked, but I knew I needed more help,” Michael said.

How Micheal was Paired with Santa

While attending a Wounded Warrior Project event, Michael saw that the lady hosting the event had a service dog. While speaking with her, the dog picked up on Michael, and the host mentioned he should look into getting a service dog. With encouragement from his wife and others he spoke with, Michael began his journey to find a service dog.

He reached out to a few different organizations, but only one responded among those he initially reached out to and could not assist him. “When I reached out to Guardian Angels, they were the ones that said they would make this work,” Michael said.

“It is absolutely incredible what Santa has done for me. I can actually function in society again. I’m not perfect, but I can be out there and enjoy my life again.” Michael said.

Santa Paws helps Michael do a range of things, including going to the grocery store and helps him handle his anxiety at his current job in IT. Michael now works outside of the house, which he hadn’t been able to do for three years.

How Santa Helps Him in His Daily Life

Last year, in August, Michael traveled to Reno for the National Guard Association Conference with Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, where they worked with the Michigan National Guard to promote their mission of providing 52 service dogs to National Guard veterans.

“When I went out last year, that was the first time since 2009 that I traveled anywhere by myself. It was stressful and scary, but I did it, and I’m very happy that I did it because it proved to me that I could do it. When you don’t go anywhere and freak out over going half a mile away to the grocery store, flying across the country is pretty massive,” Michael said.

Michael being paired with Santa Paws not only changed his life but also changed his family’s life for the better. “My son and I have a stronger relationship. My wife and I have a stronger bonded relationship now. I’m very close to who I was before I had any issues. That’s made a huge difference for me,” Michael said.

During his process with the organization, which began in 2019, Michael said Maranda Jacobs, National Recipient Relations Director, stayed in contact with him every month, reassuring him that they were working on finding him the right service dog.

“Getting out there was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, going out to GA headquarters to get my dog. I was lucky enough to have my wife go with me. My wife is my support human; without her, I wouldn’t have gone anywhere until I got the dog.” Michael said.

When he was paired with Santa Paws, Michael knew it would be life-changing. “Meeting my dog for the first time was kind of like meeting my child for the time..” Michael said.

Micheal’s Advice for Those Seeking a Service Dog

For those unsure of getting a service dog, Michael offered this advice, Kinda like Nike, “Just Do It,” but be prepared because your dog is your toddler for the rest of their life. You do everything for them just like they are a toddler. It is a large commitment. It is the best commitment I’ve ever made aside from marrying my wife, “ Michael said.

To learn more about our Recipients, visit the Guardian Angels’ website today!

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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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