Since March of 2021, Kensi Nicholson has served the Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs’ team as an apprentice.
Kensi’s Special Connection to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs
She has a special and strong connection to the mission of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs. Kensi comes from a large military family with relatives in every branch. She has seen firsthand how soldiers come and knowing what the dogs can do for them amazes her.
“Watching the pairings has given me a truly joyous feeling and I couldn’t get that anywhere else, working with these dogs and knowing that I played a part in saving a life is indescribable and deeply fulfilling. This job is a gift that I will always be grateful for,” said Kensi.
Kensi also struggles with PTSD and anxiety, so she loves seeing the peace the dogs bring to their recipients in their own beautiful way.
What Kensi Wants You to Know About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs
Kensi said she wants people to know about how Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs goes the extra mile at their training facility by taking the time to perfectly match each dog with their recipient and making sure their every need is trained into the dog.
She said this special care that Guardian Angels puts into training their dogs has saved lives with a 13-year span of no suicides showing the proof of the work that the organization puts into each pairing.
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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