Meet K9s on The
Front Line

Jason Howe brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his role as Executive Director. A Navy Veteran, serving as a Master At Arms from 2002-2007 with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Jason has exemplified leadership and commitment throughout his distinguished career. As a Master Dog Trainer and now Executive Director of the program, he has transformed many lives. Jason is also an author and speaker, sharing his journey and strategies in his book, “Unleashed.” Jason’s unique blend of military discipline, advanced dog training skills, and personal experience with service dogs positions him as an exceptional leader and advocate in his field.

Lynn Howe serves as Vice President and Director of Operations for K9s on the Front Line, collaborating closely with her husband, Jason, to drive mission-focused daily operations. Formerly a Registered Nurse, Lynn transitioned to the role of Assistant to the Midwest Coordinator for K9s on the Front Line Missouri in 2022. She is also a certified Personal Finance Coach, passionate about mentoring families. Lynn’s extensive leadership experience and dedication to mental health advocacy empower both veterans and their families within and beyond the K9sOTFL program.

Greg is the Executive Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at the University of Missouri. In that role he serves as the Director of the University of Missouri Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities. Dr. Bier is a U.S. Army veteran and completed his military service that began in 1985 with an assignment as an Operations Officer for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 2004. He was the founding Director of the United States Humanitarian Demining Training Center and the United States Army Engineer School’s Countermine Training Center. He is the owner of the Eagle Cliff Company, LLC and co-owner of Raymond-Bier Holdings, LLC and Influence and Company, LLC.  

Thomas Hutchinson proudly served in the United States Army from 1998-2015. During his service, he served as a combat Veteran in the Iraq war, working as an Combat Engineer.   Upon his retirement in 2015, the purpose he had felt from his military career began to slip away. His anxiety, PTSD and effects of a TBI following the war became overwhelming. His life changed, and his purpose was restored in a new way when he found the K9s on the Front Line organization and got matched with this battle buddy and service dog, Witten. Witten instantly began healing the emotional wounds from the war.

Erica Griffin, CPA, is the Controller at Central Sign & Lighting, LLC, a family business owned
and operated by her husband. Prior to that she spent nine years as the Controller for Missouri
Development Finance Board and eleven years with Bert Doerhoff CPA, P.C. where she worked
her way from college to obtaining her CPA license. Erica has spent many years working with
small business owners and enjoys being able to provide one on one assistance on issues
unique to small organizations.

Elise R Brion is a certified Holistic Nutrition/Health-Wellness Consultant and Manager at the Pompa Program, specializing in cellular detoxification. She has over 10 years of experience in home-birth midwifery, 7 years in Orthopedic Medicine at the Missouri Orthopedic Institute, and 13 years as a social media advocate for holistic healing. As a published author and speaker, she has addressed mental health issues in rehab and eating disorder units. Elise supports dog rescue organizations like Columbia Second Chance and, along with her fiancé Chris Dunn, cares for five rescue dogs. They work together to support Veterans and rescue dogs through K9s on the Frontline.

Dr. Hagen Blaszyk has a keen interest in helping military Veterans with PTSD regain their lives. He spent many years living oppressed in a dictatorship behind the Iron Curtain and knows firsthand that freedom is not free. He strives to connect people and organizations in order to change the trajectory of our Veterans in need, and he provides medical insight, application and intake processes, aftercare and outcome measures to the team.

As a founding partner of K9s on The Front Line, Linda has tremendous experience in organizational team building and motivating others. Her own personal experiences and firm grasp on the emotional depth of our joint cause are key in representing the organization.