In the Spotlight Blake Sowers

Blake Sowers, Kennel Master at Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs and US Army Veteran, joined the Guardian Angels team in July 2022.

“I joined the Army in 2002 because I wanted to do my part in defending my country after the attacks on 9-11. I served for 13 years, and throughout my time, I realized that service members respond differently to each deployment. Some come home unaffected, yet others don’t fare the same. The invisible wounds matter to GAMSD, and being a part of this mission is an invaluable way I can still be of service,” said Blake.

Blake’s “Why” For Working With Guardian Angels

As a veteran, Blake believes in the mission of Guardian Angels to help veterans and first responders receive the service dogs they need. Blake said that Guardian Angels has a vital mission. They recognized a lack of service dogs for veterans and first responders, and they acted.

“This is the same reason that I’m here. The recipients of our dogs have put themselves in difficult situations for the betterment of others, and this is something we/I can do to give back. Being a veteran, I take my job very seriously. From the second I arrive at work, I am focused on making the best service dogs in the country. The mission to bring these excellent dogs to veterans in need is my most fulfilling job. I wake up each day excited to go to work, knowing what I do today will impact veterans tomorrow,” said Blake.

What Blake Wants You To Know About Working At Guardian Angels

“When I arrived at GAMSD, I had a Plott hound mix in my section. Zelda is a beautiful dog and not a German Shepherd! I quickly discovered that GAMSD rescues dogs that they think will fit into their service dog program. This is really great. Too many dogs wind up in shelters, a mission that GAMSD has taken upon itself to help. They rescue several dogs a year, and through training and veterinary care, they impact rescues in our area,” said Blake.

Want to learn more about working at Guardian Angels? Visit our Careers page.

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Carol Borden

The Founder and CEO of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc., Carol Borden, titled her first dog at the age of ten. Mrs. Borden has logged nearly 60 years training dogs in multiple disciplines, from competition to training a dog for a movie, to training the #1 Service Dog in the US, which was the first service dog to ever become the Top American Dog Hero winning over all categories of working dogs in the United States. She started the non-profit Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs organization in 2010.

Mrs. Borden’s expertise and accomplishments are acknowledged by numerous national awards from various industries and agencies including the 2018 Corporate Pet Industry Woman of the Year and multiple awards for her organization’s work in mental health and suicide prevention.

She is frequently requested as a Keynote Speaker, and as an Industry Consultant to teach service dog laws to judicial systems, attorneys, and businesses, and to assist in service dog bills in multiple states that were passed into law. In 2020, she started an Institute for Higher Learning and the Borden Veterinary Hospital. Additionally, she has written and teaches college-accredited/VA-approved apprenticeship courses on dog training and service dog training.