Have you ever thought about rolling up your sleeves and getting involved with a national 501(c)3 nonprofit? Well now you can, from the comforts of your own home, with the skills you already have!
Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet like many “All Volunteer” 501c3 nonprofit organizations is only able to operate and accomplish its mission due to the generosity, time, and energy provided by those who wish to make a difference in our society – volunteers.
The organization is looking for national, regional and state volunteers to fill key positions within our organization. If you have skills such as administration, bookkeeping, marketing, or project management – then we want to talk to you!
Learn more about all the opportunities, the qualifications and how you can get involved – click on the page below.
Mr. Symons is a retired Army Colonel with 26 years of service. He served in various leadership positions including battalion and brigade command with his last assignment being Chief of Staff of the Combined Security Transition Command/NATO Training Mission Afghanistan.
Mr. Symons will help guide the organization’s strategic vision, build relationships with key military and civilian community officials, and will help to develop the organization’s policies. The CEO will under the general direction of the National Board of Directors (BOD) with specific supervision of the National President.
Ms. Linda Spurlin-Dominik, current CEO and Founder, will shift her focus to the day-to-day operations of the organization as the Chief Operations Officer and implementation of the Warriors’ Angels program in Central TX as the National Program Director. She and Mr. Symons will work side by side over the next year, as Mr. Symons becomes more involved with the organization.
“We are looking forward to Mr. Symons’ new ideas and perspectives of how to move this organization into its eleventh year of operation,” said Ms. Jessica Semon, President of the Board of Directors. “Mr. Symons’ military experience and leadership skills will be a positive asset to the organization.”
MVP Sanctuary – TX affiliated organization is an ALL volunteer tax exempt nonprofit established for honoring, remembering, and supporting our military and veteran communities, military working dogs, and PTSD assistance canines by developing, establishing, and maintaining our MVP Sanctuary in a park like setting, approximately 14 miles west of Fort Hood in Coryell County (approximately 2 miles south of Gatesville off FM 116 on FM 1783). Learn more about MVP Sanctuary – TX at www.mvpsanctuary.org
Ms. Spurlin-Dominik has a long list of volunteer hours with military support organizations, but it has been her dedication, passion and continued leadership of the organization that helped her win this award.
“She not only had the vision to create the organization, but also the daily passion to handle the day-to-day operations, develop new programs, wear multiple hats and guide the organization as we enter into the tenth year of service. Her daily dedication and passion for helping our military, veterans and wounded warriors is very evident from the moment you start talking to her,” said Jessica Semon, Board President and the individual who nominated Ms. Spurlin-Dominik. “She does all of this with a smile on her face, a passion in her voice, and a deep dedication to give back to our military.”
Ms. Linda Spurlin-Dominik and Ms. Brandy Firebaugh
The award ceremony took place on April 9, 2014 at 2:00 pm, at Sammons Community Center in Temple, TX. Ms. Spurlin-Dominik was presented with a donation from Home Instead for the organization along with red roses and a certificate that read:
———————–
Home Instead Senior Care
Salute to Senior Service
Congratulations to
Linda Spurlin-Dominik
for outstanding commitment to Volunteerism in Central Texas.
Your contributions and service have made your community a better place.
Brandy Firebaugh
Franchise Owner
04/09/2014
———————–
Judy Grayson (Garden Estates ALC), Brandy Firebaugh (HISC), Linda Spurlin-Dominik (Local Winner), Karen Handley (Hospice Compassus), Sonja Chupik (Seton Hospital), and Marie O’Neal (Cornerstone Garden Nursing & Rehab)
Not only was Ms. Spurlin-Dominik honored for her charity work, but also for her life and dedication to the community. She was presented with gifts baskets from:
Cornerstone Garden Nursing & Rehab
Garden Estates ALC
Hospice Compassus
Marcie Conde Encompass Home Health and Rose Conde Professional Medical
Seton Hospital
Attending the ceremony with Ms. Spurlin-Dominik, were Cacharina “Katt” Perry, Operations Leader, Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet and member of the Texas National Guard; Angelica Emma, Daughter of MAJ Nancy Emma whose pet Snowball was our first resident of our MVP Sanctuary – Texas; Lynn Dryer, Angelica Emma, friend of MAJ Nancy Emma.
On behalf of everyone at Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet, we are extremely happy for Linda and believe that the award is 120% deserving for her passion, dedication, and leadership to a completely ALL Volunteer organization.
Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet is a national all-volunteer 501(c)3 Military and Veteran Support Organization assisting active duty service members, wounded warriors, veterans, and their beloved companion animals or assistance service canines through various assistance programs. These programs include: the Military and Veteran Pet Foster Home Program, Military Pet Assistance fund, and the Warriors’ Angels Program (TX only). Unless stated otherwise programs are available in all 50 states and all Branches of Service including National Guard and Reserves. Learn more at www.guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org and follow our story on our blog,https://tailsfromthefrontline.wordpress.com. Also check out our affiliate organization, the MVP Sanctuary – Texas at www.mvpsanctuary.org.
Jessica Semon serves as the organizations National Marketing & Communications Director as well as the National President of the Board of Directors. She is always going above and beyond – stepping in to cover the CEO position when needed, wearing multiple hats, covering all of marketing/communication needs remotely and helping to adapt the organizations policies and procedures. In addition she does follow-up on any cases where there may be an issue, maintains open communications with the National Office, follows and adheres to the organization’s official policies and processes. She became a volunteer with Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet on February 24, 2009 as the National Marketing & Communications Director.
When asked why she does it, she said:
“To me, its all about giving back to the military community. I’ve been a part of this community as a military dependent my entire life and I feel it is my obligation to help the men and women who serve our country everyday by wearing the uniform. They put their lives on the line for our freedoms, I want to make sure that there is nothing hindering them from doing their jobs to the best of their abilities. Taking care of their pets back home is just one thing they don’t have to think about. It is an honor to help those who serve.”
Thank you Jessica for all that you do for the organization.
Janna Loeffler serves as our National IT Director and CA Foster Coordination Liaison. We selected Janna as she has always helped especially in the FCL role when needed, sometimes at the last minute. She steps up when needed and has helped move the organization along with our technology. She began in June 2006 as one of the founders of the affiliate Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet – MN – Chapter 32. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to your many “hats” that you have worn in the organization!
Carol Highhouse serves as our National Volunteer Program Director and our IL/IN Foster Coordination Liaison. She is always going above and beyond, accepts additional responsibilities, provides excellent customer service to our clients and FHs as the IL and IN FCL, overall responsible for the organization’s Volunteer Program, follow ups on any cases where there may be an issue, maintains open communications with the National office, follows and adheres to the organization’s official policies and processes, and always submits the Volunteer Service Hours and Monthly Activity Reports in a timely manner. She became a volunteer with Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet on July 14, 2011 as the IN Foster Coordination Liaison.
When asked why she does it, Carol responded with:
“Nearly four years ago, I found out about Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet through an internet search when I was looking for an opportunity to foster dogs. I’ve always loved pets and the combination of supporting the military AND helping pets was too good to pass up. Since I retired, I have time to give back in ways I couldn’t while I was working. Through Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet I have met so many wonderful volunteers, foster families and soldiers. I was able to foster Jasper, a loving and energetic Dalmatian, as well as coordinate numerous foster arrangements throughout Indiana and Illinois. I am currently serving on the National Support Team as the National Volunteer Director, too. Volunteering to help our military service members and their pets is a great “feel good” opportunity. I love to see the reunion photos. It always brings tears to my eyes.”
Thank you Carol for your time, dedication and passion towards our mission. You are a gem to work with and we are very appreciative for your hard work.
Marlous Put, Admin Director for Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet, was recognized for her outstanding volunteer work by receiving the 21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat) Civilian Volunteer of the Quarter award.
The Volunteer of the Quarter awards were presented on February 11, 2014 in Fort Hood, Texas by the 1st Army Division West, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), United States Army Operational Test Command, Separate Brigades, Battalions, and Partners in Excellence. Also attending the event was Marlous’ husband, Command Sergeant Major (CSM) James Put with The Netherlands Training Detachment and 21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat), and their children, Jamie and Jade. Linda Spurlin-Dominik, CEO of Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet and appointed American grandmother to Jade Put (Dutch granddaughter), was also in attendance, as well as Cacharina “Katt” Perry, Operations Leader volunteer for the Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet National office in Gatesville, Texas. Katt is also a member of the Texas National Guard.
James, Jade, and Marlous Put with her award
CSM James Put and his family moved from Holland to Fort Hood in September 2012 to join the Joint Netherlands Training Detachment, a four-year collaborative effort between the US Army 21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat) and the Dutch Army. Marlous was eager to help her new community and searched the Fort Hood database of civilian nonprofit volunteer organizations supporting the military and found Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet. She soon become our National office “Admin Director” assisting the CEO with various office administrative efforts.
Starting this month, Marlous will begin covering Fort Hood as our Outreach Liaison, attending and participating in events at Fort Hood, including the Darnell Medical Center, on behalf of Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet. She will also facilitate presentations with various units and on-base organizations, recruit volunteers for Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet, and will be involved in projects associated with the Military, Veterans, & Pet (MVP) Sanctuary – TX in Coryell County and the Warriors’ Angels program covering Central Texas.
Congratulations, Marlous and thank you for your continued dedication and hard work!
Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pet
Kristen Lucarelli
Tails from the Front Line 