We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the journey of K9s on the Front Line: our headquarters have officially moved from Maine to the heart of Missouri! 

This transition marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our organization, one that will be filled with growth, innovation, and an expanded mission to serve those who protect our communities and our nation.  

Sustaining our Mission, Now from Missouri

We’re beyond grateful to our wonderful and visionary Maine-based founders, Dr. Hagen Blaszyk and Linda Murray, for starting this organization and facilitating the help of top notch dog handlers and trainers. With Dr. Blaszyk’s expertise in medicine and mental health data and outcomes and Ms. Murray’s knowledge of organizational team building and drive, K9s on the Front Line began on a rock solid foundation that will carry on for years to come. To ensure continuity in leadership, our founders have graciously handed the reins of the organization to us, Jason and Lynn Howe, respectively a Navy veteran and a nurse based in central Missouri, with considerable experience in helping veterans, engaging the public, media, and veteran groups. We take on this heightened level of responsibility with care and diligence as we expand our knowledge on nonprofit governance and quality leadership.

Expanding the Beneficiaries of our Services 

Since our inception, K9s on the Front Line has been dedicated to serving veterans by providing service dogs to those struggling with PTSD and TBI at no cost. Our commitment to these heroes remains unwavering. However, as we step into this new phase of our organization’s growth, we are proud, after careful deliberation with our Board of Directors, to extend our mission to include first responders. These brave men and women, who are often the first to face traumatic events, deserve the same level of support and care. By broadening our mission, we are ensuring that more of our nation’s heroes receive the help they need to overcome the invisible wounds they carry. Further, we will continue serving veterans and first responders in Maine. As more individuals seek assistance, the program in Maine will continue its training operations under highly experienced trainer, Dominic Rozzi. 

Strengthening Our Governance 

With our move to Missouri, we have taken this opportunity to strengthen our governance structure. First, we are currently updating our bylaws to reflect our expanded mission and to ensure that our operations are aligned with the highest standards of integrity and accountability. Second, we are building our Board of Governance, composed of very talented individuals with diverse expertise and a shared commitment to our cause. Third, we are developing an Advisory Board which will include individuals with valuable experience and a heart for our mission. These three very concrete governance steps will guide us as we move forward, ensuring that we continue to innovate and operate in the most efficient and effective ways possible. 

Enhancing our Commitment to Financial Transparency 

At K9s on the Front Line, we understand that every dollar we receive from our donors is a testament to their trust in our mission. As we grow, we are more committed than ever to ensuring that every contribution is managed with the utmost responsibility. We are actively implementing rigorous financial oversight mechanisms to guarantee that funds are allocated in a way that directly supports our programs and the veterans and first responders we serve. In particular, we will collaborate with our Board and nonprofit finance professionals to assist with our financial books to make sure all our funds are clearly accounted for, and to help refine how we generate our annual financials and our balance sheets. Our goal is to maintain transparency in all our financial dealings, so our supporters can have full confidence in us and receive regular updates on the impact of their donations.  

Looking Ahead 

The move to Missouri is more than just a change in location; it represents a renewed energy and focus on our mission. As we continue to grow, we are excited to see how these changes will allow us to better serve our veterans and first responders. We are dedicated to making a lasting impact in the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for our country and our communities. 

Thank you for standing with us during this transformative time. We look forward to the incredible work we will accomplish together as we embark on this new journey in Missouri. 

Jason Howe, President/Executive Director 

Lynn Howe, Vice President/Director of Operations 

K9s on the Front Line

Interested in supporting our cause? Click on the link below to find out more. 

K9s on the Front Line – Get involved