Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time to come together, reflect with gratitude, and support causes that make a real difference in people’s lives. At Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, every contribution—whether big or small—helps us pair highly trained service dogs with the individuals who need them most.

If you’re looking for meaningful ways to give back this year, here are several ways to make an impact.

Become a Monthly Donor: Join the Paw Prints Club

Monthly giving through our Paw Prints Club is one of the most powerful ways to support our mission. Consistent contributions help us plan for the future, provide ongoing care and training for our dogs, and ensure that more deserving recipients are matched each year. Even a modest monthly gift adds up to life-changing support.

Members receive exclusive updates and stories that show the difference their generosity creates. To learn more or become a part of this special group, visit the Paw Prints Club page.

Sponsor an Apprentice, a Service Dog, a Team, or Essential Items

Apprenticeship Sponsorship – $80,000

Support the next generation of expert service dog trainers through our accredited 2.5-year Master Service Dog Trainer Apprenticeship Program.

What your gift supports: Tuition, training, and hands-on education.

Benefits: Your logo on diplomas, name/logo on our website for up to 2.5 years, social media mentions, and a private meet-and-greet with apprentices.

You may also choose to sponsor part of an apprenticeship.

Full Team Sponsorship – $37,000

Change two lives at once by supporting both a future service dog and their recipient.

What your gift supports: Housing, food, veterinary care, individualized training, and the full cost of bringing the recipient to our campus for pairing.

Benefits: Name a service dog, receive quarterly pupdates, a commemorative plaque, and your name/logo on our website for two years.

Service Dog Sponsorship – $27,000

Provide up to two years of care and training for a future service dog.

Benefits: Name a dog, receive quarterly pupdates, and a plaque once the dog is paired.

Rescue Dog Sponsorship – $27,000

Help us save two lives by sponsoring the intake and full training of a rescued future service dog.

Benefits: Name a dog, quarterly pupdates, and a plaque once paired.

Recipient Sponsorship – $10,000

Support a recipient’s 10-day training and pairing experience, including travel, lodging, ongoing training, and access to veterinary staff.

Veterinary Care Sponsorship – $20,000+

Join a group of dedicated sponsors working together to fund our $180,000 annual veterinary care program. Your gift helps ensure that recipients living on a disability income never have to choose between healthcare and their service dog’s well-being. Donations are pooled and paid directly to veterinary clinics for approved medical care and preventative treatments.

Every Gift Makes a Difference

If you prefer to give in smaller amounts, there are many ways to contribute:

$2,500 – Facility maintenance
$1,000 – One year of veterinary care
$700 – Two weeks of training
$500 – Six months of kennel supplies
$100 – Microchip, vest, and ID
$50 – Two weeks of veterinary care supplies
$25 – One week of food for a service dog in training
$10 – ID tags for one dog

We also have an Amazon wishlist filled with the supplies we always need for our service dogs. Visit here to see the full wishlist.

Consider Legacy Giving and Bequests

For those who wish to leave a lasting mark, legacy giving provides a meaningful way to carry forward your support for years to come. By including Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs in your will, trust, or estate plan, you help ensure future generations of recipients receive the life-changing assistance they deserve.

Explore Corporate Partnerships

Businesses seeking to make a positive impact can get involved through sponsorships, fundraising events, employee giving programs, and other initiatives. Corporate partnerships not only provide vital funding but also unite teams around a shared mission of helping others.

Volunteer and Share Your Time

You don’t have to give financially to make a meaningful impact. Volunteers play an essential role—from assisting at events to helping spread awareness within the community. Your time, skills, and energy help us reach more people and grow our mission.

Get into the Spirit of Giving. Donate to Guardian Angels Today!

No matter how you choose to give, your support helps transform lives. This holiday season, we invite you to be part of a mission built on hope, independence, and the healing power of service dogs.

Questions about donations or volunteering? Contact us 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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