Veterans who come to K9s For Warriors are often stepping out of their comfort zone.
It can be daunting to arrive at a new place, live in an unfamiliar environment with several new people for three weeks. All the while, these Veterans are learning how to navigate life with a new Service Dog and welcome a new member into their family. Luckily, someone is already on campus to cheer them on.
Enter the House Mom. This person works with the Warriors during training and provides a source of comfort as the Warrior prepares to face the unfamiliar. The scope of the role is to be there for the Warrior by providing them with whatever they may need to make their journey at K9s more enjoyable, whether it’s providing clean sheets or a shoulder to cry on.
K9s For Warriors asked House Moms Mary Beth and Brandy about their responsibilities each month and what this job means to them.
“I’m here to help the Warriors feel comfortable while on campus and to make sure they have everything they need so they can focus on their growing relationship with their Service Dog,” said Mary Beth. “I do a lot of checking in with them to make sure they are staying positive and giving them the opportunity to talk or express any concerns.”
Mary Beth starts each month by meeting the Warriors on their first Monday on campus before training. That encounter is meant to ease some stress and to reassure the Warrior that they have a support system on their side.

“I do my best to make sure the Warriors are heard and feel as safe as possible while being in an unknown place. My goal is to make them feel loved, appreciated and at home,” said Brandy.
Brandy started at K9s working in the kennels, but her goal was to evolve into a role where she could work closely with the Warrior classes. She loves working with Veterans and dogs.
“These men and women have done so much for us and have suffered and sacrificed so much. It’s our turn to help them as much as we can!”

Some daily responsibilities of the House Mom include:
- Making sure all Warrior spaces are dog-friendly
- Tidying up
- Keeping the Warriors well fed
Cooking volunteers ensure the Warriors get a home-cooked meal every day during their time at K9s, which helps them feel more at home. The House Moms are also there to provide moral support during moments when big stressors come up.
“I think you must be able to read the room,” said Mary Beth. “Know when the Warrior may need some encouragement or when they need their space. I take protecting their privacy and their space very seriously.”
“When Warriors are on campus, mom mode kicks in!” said Brandy. “I make sure they have everything they need to make their time at K9s as stress free as possible.”
Over time, the House Moms have worked to develop the role into something bigger. The team has made the job into an essential support role. As the House Moms continue to refine how to best serve the Warriors, the position will naturally evolve.
For Mary Beth, each Warrior class leaves a lasting memory. K9s For Warriors staff is lucky to see the direct impact the Service Dog has on the Warrior and how the bond progresses throughout the training process.
“There are many small moments in every class that make me feel like I am making a difference,” said Mary Beth. “Seeing a Warrior breathe a sigh of relief because they know their Service Dog has changed their life forever is the most rewarding part.”
Mary Beth always takes two mental pictures when she meets each Warrior class. The first is when she introduces herself on that first Monday. She says most of the Warriors are nervous and reserved, which is completely normal. The other, when she says her goodbyes on graduation day. She always asks them if they remember that first morning and how they felt… then asks them how they feel in that moment after training.
For Brandy, the most rewarding part of the job is watching the Warriors grow. Her father and grandfather served in the Marines, so she understands the tremendous impact PTSD can have on an individual. Sadly, her father took his own life. This mission is personal to her. She is proud to be a part of a program that is making a difference in Veteran lives.

“It is very rare to be able to have a job that you truly love and care about and wake up every day excited to go to work,” said Brandy. “It feels more like a passion than a job!”
“Nearly every single encounter I’ve had since working at K9s has shown me the value of a Service Dog in the healing process of PTSD, traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma,” said Mary Beth. “It didn’t take long for me to see the benefits and I realized I was involved in something extraordinary.”
The House Mom role is necessary in the Warrior’s journey. Their encouragement can help a Warrior feel confident, even on tough days. Struggling is a part of the process. Mary Beth says her advice to Warriors is to trust the process and the staff, who is there to cheer them on.
“There is so much gratitude,” said Mary Beth. “I really am so humbled and thankful to be able to serve these Veterans.”