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HERO SPOTLIGHT
HEROES MARY & PEGGY SUE: JENNIE BAKER'S STORY
At BRAVEHEART K9, part of our mission is to shine a light not only on those who support the working dog community, but also to truly listen to the end users—the individuals whose lives are directly shaped by these remarkable dogs. By understanding both the successes and the challenges, we aim to help identify opportunities for meaningful improvement and collaboration. Our friend Jennie Baker, a former guide dog recipient, has graciously allowed us to share the highs and lows of her ongoing journey and how her heroes, Mary & Peggy Sue changed her life. We believe that by continuing to invite and listen to these voices, together we can build a stronger, more connected working dog community in America.
A Life of Quiet Courage
When Jennie Baker was just two months old, a brain hematoma left her legally blind, with only five percent of her vision. Yet, through every challenge, she’s carved out a life built on grit and deep compassion. Since 1991, despite her disability, Jennie has lived independently in a small 700 sq. ft. apartment. To support herself for the past 35 years, Jennie loyally worked for the Vons/Safeway grocery store chain in Washington state stocking shelves and helping in the dairy department. “Learning to do everything on my own was hard, but I am so grateful for the support of my family, coworkers and community along the way” Jennie says.
Her First Guide Dog: Mary
Exactly one year after her beloved mother’s death, on March 14, 2010, Jennie received her first guide dog, a yellow labrador retriever, Mary, through a generous philanthropic program. “Mary changed everything,” Jennie recalls. “With her, I could walk with confidence, go to work, cross busy streets, and travel to new places. She even stopped me from walking in front of a car that turned suddenly around a corner.”
But tragedy struck when Mary was only two years old. After rushing her to emergency care and paying expensive upfront cash deposits, Jennie was given shocking news. Mary was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The emergency medical expenses were stressful and difficult as Jennie had to urgently borrow money from family to pay for Mary’s immediate care. Since the philanthropy was the legal owner of the dog, medical care was also difficult to navigate until she could get in touch with decision makers. Fortunately, due to the unusual circumstance, she was able to file a claim with the philanthropy for reimbursement for some of the medical expenses. But at the time, Jennie was more focused on Mary’s health and comfort. Not only did she try to make sure Mary had the best medical care possible, but Jennie took weeks off work to care for her companion through her final days. “I didn’t earn a dime those three weeks, but it was never a question. She was my world.”
Peggy Sue: A True Guardian
In 2012, Jennie welcomed her second guide dog, Peggy Sue, a golden retriever who quickly became not only Jennie’s partner but a hero to others. “Peggy Sue was so smart—she saved my life more than once,” Jennie remembers. Peggy Sue’s instinct extended beyond Jennie. One day at Safeway, she sensed a customer was in medical distress before anyone else did. Peggy Sue barked for attention, helped him safely to the ground and stayed pressed against him while he had a seizure—protecting him until help arrived. She saved lives in many ways, including cheering folks up during COVID. During that difficult time, just hugging or petting Peggy Sue brightened up people’s days. To recognize her contribution to everyone’s mental health, Peggy Sue was granted her own honorary Safeway service badge titled “Employee Comfort” which made Jennie very proud.
Peggy Sue remained by Jennie’s side for 12 years, until her passing at 13 years old. “Losing her was one of the hardest times of my life” Jennie says.
Life After Loss
Since Peggy Sue’s death last summer, Jennie continues to work every shift she’s offered—but now she cannot afford the costs of a new guide dog, even if offered for free again. “While charities provide the dogs,” she explains, “it’s the food, the treats, the grooming, the ongoing medical care—it all adds up. With rising rent and food costs, I just can’t afford it anymore.”
When asked what is the most important message she wants to communicate to the BRAVEHEART K9 community, she said:
“Guide dogs don’t just help disabled people—they truly give us life. They make it possible for us to work, support ourselves and contribute back to the community. We aren’t looking for handouts; we just want the chance to to live with dignity and independence.”
How BRAVEHEART K9 Can Help
Jennie’s story about her experiences with Mary and Peggy Sue is why BRAVEHEART K9 exists—to support America’s working and service dogs, and the humans whose lives depend on them. Every purchase helps fund guide-dog programs and working-dog nonprofits that restore freedom and companionship to people like Jennie.
Because no one should have to walk in the dark—alone.
HERO SPOTLIGHT
RAISING INDEPENDENCE ONE PUPPY AT A TIME
In Phoenix, Arizona, Kathy Z has quietly changed lives—six of them, to be exact. Each one started as a wiggly puppy in her home and grew into a highly trained guide dog, giving someone with a disability the priceless gift of independence.
Kathy’s journey began while working at an eye care clinic with a group of eye surgeons. Every day she met patients who were visually impaired, and she quickly noticed a difference: those who had guide dogs enjoyed more freedom, confidence, and connection to the world around them.
“I saw that many people without guide dogs struggled,” Kathy explains. “Transportation and social situations were difficult—and many lived alone too. But with a dog, everything shifted. I saw more independence, more confidence—it really gave them back a sense of freedom. Suddenly, they had a partner who helped them live life again.”
Just as her daughter left for college, she had a chance introduction with a liaison from Guide Dogs of the Desert, an organization whose mission is to provide quality guide dogs to the blind and the blind with special needs. The liaison mentioned how much they needed puppy raisers. So Kathy stepped up and opened her heart and home to her first guide dog puppy.
Puppy raisers are true unsung heroes. These unpaid volunteers dedicate themselves around the clock for 18–24 months to nurturing their pups, covering the cost of transportation, food and most medical expenses along the way. They shape their puppy’s future—teaching love, patience, obedience, words and commands, all while introducing them to the world around them: events, churches, workplaces, restaurants, stores, airports, taxis, buses, and everyday routines. Each experience builds the confidence and manners required of a working guide dog. It’s a serious responsibility, and every puppy raiser hopes their dog will pass the rigorous screening process and be accepted into a professional guide dog program—an outcome that is never guaranteed.
Only the very best dogs graduate from these prestigious programs and move on to very demanding but extraordinary working careers.
Fortunately, all six of Kathy’s puppies were accepted into professional training programs, where expert trainers completed their guide dog education and matched them with people in need.
An Interview with Kathy Z — Guide Dog Puppy Raiser
BRAVEHEART K9: Kathy, thank you for joining our BRAVEHEART K9 PACK, we’re thrilled to welcome you! Can you please tell us a little about your background and how you first became involved with guide dogs?
KATHY Z: I’m from Phoenix, Arizona, and I actually started raising guide dog puppies while working at an eye care clinic with a group of eye surgeons. I spent a lot of time with visually impaired patients, and I noticed a real difference with those who had guide dogs and those who didn’t.
BRAVEHEART K9: What differences stood out to you?
KATHY Z: I saw that the few with guide dogs had a much better quality of life while the many without struggled. Transportation and social situations were difficult—and many lived alone too. But with a dog, everything shifted. I saw more independence, more confidence—it really gave them back a sense of freedom. Suddenly, they had a partner who helped them live life again.
BRAVEHEART K9: That’s powerful. What inspired you to take the big step from noticing the need at your clinic to becoming a puppy raiser yourself?
KATHY Z: After my daughter left for college, I was looking for something meaningful to do. Around that time, I happened to meet Lori, a liaison from Guide Dogs of the Desert. She mentioned they desperately needed more puppy raisers. I thought, why not me? So I signed up—and it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
BRAVEHEART K9: For people who may not know, what exactly does a puppy raiser do?
KATHY Z: Puppy raisers are unpaid volunteers. We bring the puppies into our homes and care for them until they’re 18-24 months old. That includes basic love, nutrition and medical care in addition to obedience, socialization, and exposing them to the world. Not everyone can afford the expenses which is one of the reasons organizations have a hard time finding qualified puppy raisers. It’s a big responsibility. After maturing, the dogs are then hand-picked to move on to a professional guide training facility and finish their education.
BRAVEHEART K9: So not all puppies move on to receive professional guide training?
KATHY Z: Unfortunately, it’s not guaranteed that every puppy makes it. Working dogs have very tough, specific jobs and not every dog ends up being the right fit for the role. Once they leave the puppy raiser, they are thoroughly screened, and only if accepted they move onto a professional training facility where expert trainers do the specialized guide work. These facilities are very costly, but essential. After that, the dog is matched with a person in need, and they go through training together before going home.
BRAVEHEART K9: And all six of the puppies you raised were accepted into professional guide dog programs—that’s incredible! What do you think contributed to your amazing success rate?
KATHY Z: Thank you. I truly believe that having my puppies by my side every day—living as though they were already working—was key to their success. They traveled with me to the clinic daily, greeting familiar staff and doctors, meeting new patients, and welcoming returning ones. We also always brought them to our church, local stores, and along for our regular family routines. That consistent exposure and involvement helped shape their confidence and readiness for the future.
BRAVEHEART K9: What a privilege you were able to do that! From your point of view, where do you see gaps in support for these dogs and the people they serve?
KATHY Z: The programs do an amazing job, but once a person is paired with a dog, the ongoing support can be limited. There are some charities that are able to provide ongoing support but most people are given a dog, a harness, and a leash—and then the rest of the financial responsibility falls on them. For too many people with disabilities, unfortunately, it’s too much. They already have a hard time finding work much less paying basic bills most of the time. I’d love to see more funding available not just for raising and training the dogs, but also for supporting the people who depend on them for years after.
BRAVEHEART K9: That’s exactly what we’re trying to do here at BRAVEHEART K9—to shine a light on these challenges and help fill those gaps. Kathy, thank you for raising awareness, and for the incredible gift of independence you’ve provided through the dogs you’ve raised.
KATHY Z: Thank you. It’s been a privilege. These dogs change lives—and I hope more people can have the chance to experience that.
HERO SPOTLIGHT
LUCCA - USMC DOG
MERCURY - POLICE DOG
MERCURY - POLICE DOG
Lucca served six courageous years with the U.S. Marine Corps, deployed across Iraq and Afghanistan. Trained to detect explosives, she performed over 400 missions with no human casualties under her care. In 2012, her service came at a cost—she lost her leg in an IED explosion. Still, she stood again just ten days later.
For her unparalleled bravery, Lucca became the first Marine Corps dog to receive the Dickin Medal—the animals’ Victoria Cross—and her legacy was further honored posthumously with the U.S. Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery. Retired with dignity, she spent her final days with the handler who trained her, passing peacefully in 2018.
MERCURY - POLICE DOG
MERCURY - POLICE DOG
MERCURY - POLICE DOG
Mercury, a K-9 trained in narcotics detection and search-and-rescue with the Greenwood Village Police Department, proved the power of K9 instincts when he rescued an 85-year-old woman desperately clinging to a tree down in a steep ravine. Dramatic video of the mission posted online shows Mercury picking up the woman’s scent just minutes after stepping onto the scene. Their swift response turned a dire situation into a heartwarming reunion.
The woman’s son, Pete Holman, shared his heartfelt appreciation in the comments of the Facebook post:
“I had been searching for her for two hours and Mercury and officer Speer found her in 10 minutes: UNBELIEVABLE! It was like watching a Navy Seal extraction: I am so grateful to live in City of Greenwood Village Government.”