Mary Jo Brandt recognized as a Diversity Game Changer

Mary Jo Brandt, COO of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs recognized as a Diversity Game Changer by the Orlando Magic Basketball Team

Orlando, FL – November 30, 2023 – Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is pleased to acknowledge Mary Jo Brandt, Chief Operating Officer, as the distinguished recipient of the Orlando Magic Diversity Game Changer of the Week award. This esteemed recognition highlights Brandt’s unwavering commitment to promoting social justice and equality within our community.

The Magic Diversity Game Changers program acknowledges local leaders who strive relentlessly to effect sustainable change and enhance the lives of residents in Orlando. For each game, one individual is honored, and this week, Mary Jo Brandt was selected for her exceptional contributions to both the service dog industry and our community.

Some notable achievements of Mary Jo as a Diversity Game Changer include:

Successfully placing individuals with service dogs to foster enduring partnerships
Demonstrating unwavering dedication to the mission and goals of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs
Providing hands-on support to partner families, establishing robust support systems
Advocating for diversity and inclusion within the service dog industry and the wider community

Carol Borden, the CEO of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, shared her excitement about Brandt’s well-deserved recognition. Borden stated, “Mary Jo Brandt, our exceptional COO, is truly revolutionizing the service dog industry. Her strategic placements and unwavering commitment to our mission have earned her the esteemed title of Orlando Magic Diversity Game Changer of the Week. We are extremely proud to have her as a part of our team.”

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is proud to celebrate the invaluable work of Mary Jo Brandt, shining a spotlight on her dedication and the profound impact she has made on countless lives.

For more information about the Orlando Magic Diversity Game Changers program and Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, please visit OrlandoMagic.com and MedicalServiceDogs.org.

About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization dedicated to training and donating highly skilled medical service dogs for individuals living with disabilities, with a focus on U.S. military veterans and first responders. With an emphasis on enhancing the lives and independence of their recipients, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs has successfully paired hundreds of dogs with deserving individuals, making a positive impact on families and communities across the nation.

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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.