Awards and Honors, Business, Free News Articles, General Editorial, NonProfit and Charities

2019 Hero Dog of the Year Awarded to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Alice

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is both humbled and honored to announce that on Friday, October 5, 2019 after more than a million public votes, our Service Dog, Alice; specifically trained to assist Recipient Antonio was named the 2019 Hero Dog of the Year in the American Humane Hero Dog Awards.

Alice has been watching over Antonio since 2016, after he tragically suffered a gunshot wound to the head at the age of nine, while sitting in his parents' car in 2015.

Since that day, Antonio has struggled through 5 brain surgeries, leaving him with a permanent traumatic brain injury, and an artificial flap that covers a large portion of his skull. He suffers regularly from seizures, spells, migraines and balance issues. Alice is at Antonio's side constantly, including attending school together; and she is focused on Antonio at all times. She not only alerts to oncoming seizures and spells, but assists him with balance issues, as a fall could potentially be fatal.

Seven truly incredible dogs were finalists for each category including: Sgt. Yeager: Military; Piglet: Search & Rescue; Leader Dog Lady: Guide/Hearing; Jeanie: Therapy; Gus: Shelter; Dax: Law Enforcement/Arson and of course, Alice in the Service Dog Category. We congratulate each category winner and recognize their incredible unique skillsets.

Alice completed nearly 2 years of unparalleled custom training to prepare for a life partnering with and assisting Antonio. Giving her acceptance speech, Antonio's Mom Tara said: "It's so incredible, we are truly honored to receive this award - I thank everybody who voted and showed support for my boy and Alice. Through a shooting, and something so dark, you forget to believe in humanity; but when something like this happens you start to learn that there is good in this world."

You can view the Hero Dog Awards in its entirety on the Hallmark Channel airing October 21, 2019. Check local listings for times in your area.

Guardian Angels, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit org, was founded in 2010, and custom-trains medical service dogs for veterans, first-responders and individuals like Antonio. Although the cost of training each service dog can take up to 2 full years, and cost nearly $25,000, we donate each dog to the recipient at no cost. Everything we do is funded by donation. To date, we have paired over 320 service dogs in 23 states across the nation.

If you would like to learn more about our organization, or support this life-saving work, visit our website at http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/.

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-1008s2p-herodog-300dpi.jpg
*Caption: Carol Borden, Guardian Angels Founder & CEO; Antonio & his Service Dog, Alice, and Antonio's Mom, Tara at the Hero Dog Awards.

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Business, Free News Articles, Government, NonProfit and Charities, Police, Fire and Rescue

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. Partners with SCI Mercer to Train Service Dogs for Veterans

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- It is with great pleasure that Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs announces its latest partnership, with the Pennsylvania State Correctional Institution at Mercer. As part of our new partnership, incarcerated veterans will train some of our future service dogs, beginning at approximately 5 months of age, all while earning college credit.

The program is already underway, with our Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Carol Borden recently completing a full seven days of classes for the 12 selected incarcerated veterans, teaching them our comprehensive training regimen. While required to pass the written portion of the class with an 80% or better, we are proud to say that of the 12 participants, they all scored above 95%.

Now that they are ready to begin training, 4 young future service dogs are on their way to Mercer from our Florida headquarters and are scheduled to arrive at Mercer later this week.

Once they arrive, the dogs will remain with the inmates 24 hours a day, for several months, and will be participating daily in classes and public access-style learning adventures due to Mercer's unique design featuring a cafeteria, classrooms, hospital, auditorium, gymnasium, commissary and library - the conditions are perfect for re-creating public access-type scenarios for the dogs to train in.

The teams training dogs inside Mercer will be visited weekly or more by our Pennsylvania Regional Trainer, to ensure program compliance and monitor each dogs' progress as they go through our positive-reinforcement curriculum.

An additional key benefit of this program is that the selected incarcerated veterans will be earning college credits. This program will not only help the disabled Pennsylvania veterans who ultimately receive the donated service dogs; but it is teaching a new, marketable skillset and industry to those currently incarcerated.

"I have always been so inspired by the service and sacrifice of our American heroes," said Sen. Brooks, who worked for two years to bring the program to SCI Mercer. "The brotherhood that unites our veterans, and the healing power of a dog, have always impressed me as well. This transformative new program unites these special elements into one heart-warming support network, and is destined to produce benefits that will allow veterans to help other veterans in a life-changing way."

Asked about the new program, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Founder & CEO, Carol Borden said: "I couldn't be more excited about the magnificent start of this ground-breaking program. We expect great things - not only in the training of the dogs that will be donated to veterans in Pennsylvania; but that we will be giving the incarcerated veterans hope for a new future once they have served their time. By participating in this program, they are already serving their community".

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization founded in Williston, Florida and has grown into a nation-wide Service Dog Organization. We rescue, raise, train and donate individually trained medical service dogs to veterans, first responders and others who suffer from disabilities including PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, seizure disorders, diabetic alert, mobility issues and more. Guardian Angels receives up to 40 inquiries each day for one of their medical Service Dogs.

If you'd like to learn more about our programs, get involved, make a contribution, or be part of supporting this life-saving project please call 800-398-6102 or visit our website at: https://www.medicalservicedogs.org.

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-1004s2p-gamsg-mercer-300dpi.jpg

*Caption: (L to R): Mr. Diaz, Rocky Bleier, former Steelers Professional Football Player, Senator Michelle Brooks, Secretary John Wetzel, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Carol Borden, Founder & CEO of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Melinda Adams, Superintendent of SCI Mercer, Dustin Schneider, Recipient and Guardian Angels Spangle, Gen. Schindler, Deputy Adjutant General, Veterans Affairs.

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Awards and Honors, Business, Free News Articles, Government, NonProfit and Charities, Police, Fire and Rescue

GMAR and Michigan State Police Trooper School Come Together to Sponsor Medical Service Dog

LANSING, Mich. -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs announced that in February 2019, Sgt. McRae of the Michigan State Police Trooper Recruit School set a goal: to honor Michigan State Trooper Craig A. Scott; a military veteran who was killed in the line of duty after 7 years on the force in 1982.

Each recruit class creates a Hero WOD (workout of the day) for a fellow trooper and performs the Hero WOD at the gym. This 135th trooper recruit school added a fundraiser with an ambitious goal. To raise $25,000 to sponsor the training of a medical service dog for a deserving recipient.

The members of the 135th Trooper Recruit School were well on their way to that goal, raising $9,200 during a Hero WOD. That's when GMAR (The Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS(R)), reached out to help them complete their goal. GMAR has already been involved in raising funds for service dogs for several years, with their "5 Years, 5 Dogs, 5 Lives Saved" campaign, and they have previously completed sponsorship of Service Dogs Cobalt REALTOR(R) Blue, and Thor, and have future Service Dog Independence, currently in-training.

On Monday, August 12, 2019 the two came together, and GMAR presented a check to The Michigan State Police for $15,725 - covering the balance of the Trooper Recruit School's sponsorship.

The funds raised and contributed will be sent to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, that has raised and trained more than 320 service dogs for deserving individuals in need nationwide, predominantly for veterans and first-responders.

To date, Guardian Angels has paired more than 20 dogs in the State of Michigan. But the waiting list continues to grow. The number of both veterans and first-responders facing issues such as PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Seizure and Diabetic disorders and mobility issues is steadily increasing, and it is the hope of the Michigan State Police and GMAR that this individually-trained medical service dog, yet named will greatly improve life for its future recipient.

Learn more at: https://www.medicalservicedogs.org/

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Awards and Honors, Business, Free News Articles, General Editorial, NonProfit and Charities

2019 Service Dog Hero of the Year Awarded to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Alice

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is excited to announce that on Friday, July 26, 2019 our Service Dog, Alice; specifically trained to assist Recipient Antonio was named the 2019 Service Dog Hero of the Year by more than 900,000 nationwide voters and the American Humane Societies' panel of judges.

Alice has been watching over Antonio since 2016, after he tragically suffered a gun-shot wound to the head at the age of nine, while sitting in his parents' car in 2015.

Since that day, Antonio has struggled through 5 brain surgeries, leaving him with a permanent traumatic brain injury, and an artificial flap that covers a large portion of his skull. He suffers regularly from seizures, spells, migraines and balance issues. Alice is at Antonio's side constantly, including attending school together; and she is focused on Antonio at all times. She not only alerts to oncoming seizures and spells, but assists him with balance issues, as a fall could potentially be fatal.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog Alice completed nearly 2 years of unparalleled custom training to prepare for a life partnering with and assisting Antonio.

Antonio's mom Tara says: "Alice is a hero in our eyes because without her, Antonio would not be able to do the simple things in life we take for granted, like going to school, the store, or even just walking outside. She has never once failed in alerting and has saved Antonio's life many times. Alice has given Antonio a chance at a new normal life he did not have without her. The life that was ripped away for no reason. She has NEVER let him down. If that is not a hero, I don't know what is."

Now that Guardian Angels, Alice has claimed the top spot in the Service Dog Category, in October, Antonio and Alice will head to California, to take part in the LIVE 2019 Hero Dog Awards, being broadcast on the Hallmark Channel, to compete with the 6 other category winners for the title of "Hero Dog of the Year."

Voting will be open until September 9, 2019, and you can visit http://herodogawards.org/dog/alice/ to read their full story, and show them support with your vote!

About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs:
Guardian Angels, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded in 2010, and custom-trains medical service dogs for veterans, first-responders and individuals like Antonio. Although the cost of training each service dog can take up to 2 full years, and cost nearly $25,000, we donate each dog to the recipient at no cost. We receive no federal or state funding. Everything we do is funded completely by private and foundation donations. To date, we have paired over 320 service dogs in 23 states across the nation.

If you would like to learn more about our organization, or become a supporter, visit our website at https://www.medicalservicedogs.org/.

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Business, Free News Articles, Funding and Investment, NonProfit and Charities

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Awarded Grant from The William H. Donner Foundation

WILLISTON, Fla. -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is proud to announce that on June 4, 2019, the William H. Donner Foundation announced a grant award in the amount of $25,000 to our organization. We are humbled to report that this is the fourth year receiving a grant from the William H. Donner Foundation.

These valuable funds will be put straight to work, to help us train a medical service dog for a deserving veteran in need.

The William H. Donner Foundation currently has interests in areas as diverse as: Animal Welfare, Arts and Culture, Children at Risk, Development, Domestic Public Policy, Education, Environment, Foreign and Defense Policy, Human Rights, Science, Veterans, and Women's Issues among many others.

Guardian Angels Founder & CEO, Carol Borden stated: "On behalf of the disabled veterans we serve, I wish to extend my deepest appreciation for the continued support from the William H. Donner Foundation for recognizing the tremendous need to take care of our veterans. Because of your generosity, we are able to provide long term care to another deserving American hero."

About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs:

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) with a mission to rescue, raise, train and then donate the finest medical service dogs to veterans and others who struggle with the effects of a disability such as PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, seizure & diabetic disorders and mobility issues. Since 2010, we have donated nearly 350 individually trained, federally protected medical service dogs to those in need.

With up to 1,500 hours of training per dog, it is a long process, but worth every moment when you see the results of Unleashing the Power to Heal, and the life-saving, life-changing difference it makes for our recipients.

For more information on our program, please visit our website at: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/

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Business, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities, Sports and Activities

Jim Rooney from Pittsburgh Steelers and Jon Kolb, 4x Super Bowl Champion to Keynote Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Passing of the Leash Community Awareness Event

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs cordially invites the public to attend our 2019 Pittsburgh Passing of the Leash Ceremony. This heart-warming event showcases the incredible difference Service Dogs have made in the lives of their recipients in Pennsylvania communities. Meet some of these life-saving dogs and teams, and enjoy lunch with us.

The Passing of the Leash will be held at Duquesne Union Ballroom, on Tuesday, June 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Admission is $35 per person, and tickets can be purchased in advance online at: https://medicalservicedogs.networkforgood.com/events/12383-passing-of-the-leash.

Full tables and sponsorships are available. Seating is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

You can find more information, and learn additional information about this uplifting event at: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/event/passing-leash-pittsburgh/

We would like to thank our Title Sponsor, Mosites Construction Company for their support of our event. Special thanks also to the Sons of the American Legion, Post 892 for their support. If you have questions regarding the event, or would like to become a sponsor, please call Christine at (779) 970-6430 or send an e-mail to: Christine@medicalservicedogs.org for more information.

About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs:

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) Based in Williston, Florida that raises, trains and then donates individually trained medical service dogs to veterans and others who suffer from disabilities including PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, mobility issues and much more. We receive no state or federal funding available for this critical life-saving program. Over the past nine years, Guardian Angels has paired nearly 300 individually trained medical service dogs with those in need, and with your help, they can help even more. Reserve your tickets today.

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/qIrknXtV0ss

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Free News Articles, General Editorial, NonProfit and Charities

Lansing Board of Water and Light Names Dog after Combat Veteran Mike Ronan

LANSING, Mich. -- The Lansing Board of Water and Light held a fundraising event, the BWL IBEW Golf 4 charity Tournament, and have raised the funds necessary to donate an individually trained service dog to a deserving recipient. As they held their event, they heard from Mike Ronan, a Marine Veteran who was paired with a Service Dog through Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. based in Williston, Florida.

Mike spoke at their event, and talked about his time in the military, and the PTSD that followed his service. He then spoke about how his Service Dog; Julie has forever changed his life for the better.

After hearing Mike's incredible story, the BWL IBEW Golf 4 Charity committee decided to donate the funds to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, to help another veteran in need.

"As part of their sponsorship of a team, one of the 'perks' is that they are able to name the future service dog they are sponsoring," said Christine Patrick, Communications Manager for Guardian Angels.

So moved by Mike's story, the BWL IBEW Golf 4 Charity committee has decided to name their sponsored future service dog, Ronan, in his honor.

Mary Jo Brandt, Guardian Angels Chief Operating Officer said "We're thrilled that the Lansing Board of Water and Light has made us the beneficiary of their giving and couldn't be more excited that they are honoring a great American like Mike."

Once a puppy is chosen, little Ronan will begin training that will take 1.5 - 2 years to complete before he is ready to be paired with a veteran in need.

About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs:

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) with a mission to rescue, raise, train and then donate the finest medical service dogs to veterans and others who struggle with the effects of a disability such as PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury and seizure disorders. In just our first 9 years, we've paired nearly 300 individually trained, federally protected medical service dogs to those in need. With up to 1,500 hours of training per dog, it is a long process, but worth every moment when you see the results of Unleashing the Power to Heal, and the life-saving, life-changing difference it makes for our recipients.

For more information on our program, please visit our website at: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/.

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Business, Free News Articles, Government, NonProfit and Charities

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Awarded Grant from Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF)

WILLISTON, Fla. -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is proud to announce that on April 17, 2019, the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) announced a grant award in the amount of $25,000 to our organization.

These valuable funds will be put straight to work, to help us train a medical service dog for a deserving veteran in need.

There is great synergy between our organizations, both determined to make a difference for veterans who are struggling with conditions such as: PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Seizure disorders, Diabetic alert, and/or mobility issues.

Asked about the grant award, Guardian Angels Founder & CEO, Carol Borden said: "On behalf of the disabled veterans we serve, I wish to extend my deepest appreciation to the Disabled Veterans National Foundation for recognizing the tremendous need to take care of our veterans. Because of your generosity, we are able to provide long term care to another deserving American hero.

"We are honored to begin working with DVNF, and look forward to a relationship that will continue changing the lives of our veterans for the better both today and in the future."

About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs:

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) with a mission to rescue, raise, train and then donate the finest medical service dogs to veterans and others who struggle with the effects of a disability such as PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, seizure & diabetic disorders and mobility issues. Since 2010, we have donated nearly 300 individually trained, federally protected medical service dogs to those in need.

With up to 1,500 hours of training per dog, it is a long process, but worth every moment when you see the results of Unleashing the Power to Heal, and the life-saving, life-changing difference it makes for our recipients.

For more information on our program, please visit our website at: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/.

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Business, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities, Real Estate

GMAR Shows their Support for Michigan Veterans by Raising Funds for Service Dogs through Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. -- The Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS(R) has undertaken an incredible 5-year journey called 5 Years, 5 Dogs, 5 Lives saved. In their quest to assist Michigan Veterans, struggling with disabilities such as PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Seizure disorders, and/or mobility issues, The Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS [GMAR] has partnered with Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.

This partnership began in 2016, with their initial sponsorship of Service Dog, Cobalt REALTOR(R) Blue, who is now fully trained, and assisting Michigan Resident and Veteran, Matthew, in overcoming his challenges from war.

Next up, was GMAR's sponsored dog Thor, who Guardian Angels fully trained and paired with Michigan Resident and Veteran, Dwayne. Currently, GMAR has a sweet puppy in training, named Independence, or Indy for short. Indy is at the Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog Headquarters in Williston, Florida, completing her training to serve another Michigan veteran and his or her family. Over the next two years, two additional dogs, still to be named by GMAR will be trained to help a Michigan Veteran.

The real and daily difference that the GMAR family is making by their commitment cannot be overstated. There are, tragically, 22 veterans each day that take their own lives in this country, but once paired with a Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog, not only does the rate of suicide fall to zero; the rate of divorce in combat veteran families falls to less than 1%. The Veteran's use of medication is reduced or eliminated under their Dr's care; in many instances, they return to work or school; and they are able to re-engage at last with friends, family and community.

Guardian Angels is honored to have been chosen to partner with the Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS(R), and inspired by their commitment to the Michigan Veteran Community. GMAR is truly saving lives, one paw at a time.

If you would like to support saving the lives of another veteran, please contact GMAR, or visit their website at: http://www.gmaronline.com

About Guardian Angels:

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Williston, Florida and has grown into a nation-wide Service Dog Organization. We rescue, raise, train and donate individually trained medical service dogs to veterans, first responders and others who suffer from disabilities including PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, seizure disorders, mobility issues and more. Guardian Angels receives up to 40 inquiries each day for one of their medical Service Dogs. There is no state or federal funding available for this critical life-saving program. Since their inception in 2010, Guardian Angels has paired more than 300 individually trained medical service dogs with those in need.

Learn more at: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/

About GMAR:

The Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS(R) (GMAR) is the premier Association of REALTORS(R) in Southeast Michigan, providing services and support to the real estate profession and the communities they serve. With over 8,700 members, GMAR is the largest local REALTOR(R) association in the state. GMAR provides many benefits to its members, such as access to the MLS, over 220 quality continuing education and designation courses per year, the largest REALTOR(R) specific store in the area, the ToolShop(tm), Metropolitan Minute weekly newsletter and Metropolitan REALTOR(R) monthly electronic magazine. GMAR's mission is to educate, advocate, and care for our members and the communities they love.

Visit https://gmaronline.com/ to learn more. Like us at https://www.facebook.com/GMARonline.

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Business, Construction and Building, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. Chooses Pittsburgh Area to Build State-of-the-Art Service Dog Campus

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Over the course of its 9 years, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs (GAMSD) has grown into one of the largest service dog organizations in the nation. We raise, train, advocate for, and donate these incredible medical service dogs, specifically trained to perform tasks for disabled veterans, first-responders and civilians.

"Our dogs help to mitigate the challenges of disabilities and assist them in performing tasks they are no longer able to perform for themselves, thus lessening the burden on caregivers, community services and families," says Christine Patrick, Communications Manager. "We are extremely proud of our more than 300 teams working in 22 states across the U.S., with over 30 of those currently in Pennsylvania."

Throughout the years, we have had many of our initiatives supported by various Pittsburgh individuals, philanthropic foundations, professional sports teams, corporations and other community efforts. That has produced the sponsoring of 60 current and future service dogs to date, as well as funding for our traveling trainer and rescue programs.

Some noteworthy supporters include: PNC Bank, Armstrong Cable, The Aloe Family Foundation, Ernst & Young, Highmark, DSF Charitable Foundation, The Pittsburgh Foundation, Michele & Agnese Cestone Foundation, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and Duquesne University, along with various schools and tremendous volunteer organizations such as Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans. In addition, the Eat'n Park Hospitality Group Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation has stated their intention for the naming rights of the Recipient Housing portion of the campus.

For these reasons and more, we are proud to announce we have selected the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the first location for our new campus outside of our Florida Headquarters. The airport area where the GAMSD campus will be located is within close proximity to several National Guard and Military Reserve Units, parallels the Montour Trail and is about twenty minutes from downtown Pittsburgh.

The construction of the new GAMSD Pittsburgh Regional Campus will be a 12 to 18-month project that will have a positive impact on the local and state economy. On average, 75 to 100 workers will be employed during the planning and construction stages. They will include architects, engineers, plumbers, electricians, equipment operators, landscape professionals, roofers and a variety of other skilled trades. This 102-acre site that was once strip-mined, will be restored to its full natural beauty.

We have contracted RBVetCo, a disabled veteran-owned business, with a high-quality reputation to build our new facility. Once fully operational, we will have about twenty full-time staff members from the surrounding areas employed at the Pittsburgh Regional Campus. The number of jobs on-site is not significant in quantity, but meaningful in the purpose and role they play in raising, training and donating our highly skilled dogs to those in need.

Our campus will be one of the most important new establishments in the Pittsburgh area. We have a proven track record of positively changing and saving lives through our holistic approach to mitigating the challenges of permanent disabilities. With the help of our specially trained dogs, our disabled recipients begin to integrate back into their family circles, and become productive members of their communities again, even breaking the cycle of inter-generational PTSD in children. Once paired with one of our service dogs, we have countless teams that have enrolled in, or returned to college, completed degrees, become gainfully employed, started businesses, or simply left behind years of self-isolation and begun to travel.

This campus will touch the lives of countless individuals, creating both social & economic impacts. Once a recipient is paired, they begin their "New Normal". We estimate that in a family of four, each dog has the potential to positively impact the lives of 4,380 people in their community each year.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is honored to serve our nation's Veterans, first-responders and disabled population. With more than 2.2 million veterans facing permanent disabilities, first-responder PTSD rates at record levels and 13% of the general population burdened with a permanent disability, this new campus will allow us to better serve those in need. In fact, although the rate of suicide in our nation's veteran population is a staggering 20-22 per day, once paired with a Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog, the rate of suicide to date in our teams is Zero. Lesser known, is that the rate of divorce in combat veteran families can be 90% higher than the national average, but once paired with one of our service dogs, the rate of divorce falls to less than 1%.

Beyond training and donating these incredible dogs, Guardian Angels takes a multi-phased approach to helping our community. This includes a comprehensive college accredited apprentice program and it is also approved by the Veterans' Administration under the GI Bill.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a 501(C) 3 non-profit organization founded in Williston, Florida and has grown into a nation-wide Service Dog Organization. We rescue, raise, train and donate individually trained medical service dogs to veterans, first responders and others who suffer from disabilities including PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, seizure disorders, diabetic alert, mobility issues and more. Guardian Angels receives up to 40 inquiries each day for one of their medical Service Dogs. There is very little state or federal funding available for this critical life-saving program.

If you'd like to learn more about our programs, get involved, make a contribution, or be part of supporting this life-saving project/naming a building please call 412-352-1111 or visit our website at: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/.

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