The Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS® (GMAR), the largest local association of Realtors® in the state of Michigan, is currently on the fourth year of its 5 years, 5 dogs, 5 lives saved campaign in partnership with Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. Over the past three years, the GMAR community has raised nearly $100,000 which has gone towards the training of three medical service dogs that were paired with three Michigan veterans.
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. trains medical service dogs to mitigate the challenges associated with several disabilities, including PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Traumatic Brain Injury, seizure disorders, glucose imbalance, mobility issues, and more. At Guardian Angels, no recipient is ever charged for their service dog. Since 2010, Guardian Angels is proud to have paired more than 200 individually trained medical service dogs with deserving recipients.
Over the last three years, with donations from our local Realtors® and Brokers, GMAR has provided the necessary funds to adequately train three medical service dogs for placement with a veteran in need. In the campaign's first year, Matthew welcomed into his family Guardian Angel Medical Service Dog, Cobalt Realtor® Blue®. Year two, thanks to the kind donations totaling $53,715, Dwayne welcomed Guardian Angel Medical Service Dog Thor to the family. Due to last year's donation efforts, Independence (Indy) is currently being trained and will find her new home with another Michigan veteran in need.
Continuing GMAR's mission in its fourth year, CEO of Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors®, Vickey Livernois, together with members of our Board of Directors, has been visiting various companies, brokers, and community members who have donated to 5 years, 5 dogs, 5 lives saved campaign to present them with a life-size cut out of the medical service dog they helped to sponsor as well as a plaque to show our appreciation for their commitment to their communities.
GMAR CEO Vickey Livernois stated, "We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our members, the Realtor® community, and all of the donors. We're pleased with the results of the campaign and look forward to continuing to create positive change in the lives of veterans."
GMAR sends special thanks to the following for their substantial contributions: Aiden Cristbrook, Deborah Thams of Real Estate One Novi, Patricia Henry of REMS, Mathew Baffo of First State, Deb & Lou Ronaynre of EXP, Althea Brown of ERA Reardon, Dave McClain of KW Realty, Nancy Kolb of RE/MAX First, Theresa Spiro of Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel, Richard D. Linnell of Linnell & Associates, Jeff Glover of KW Professionals, Martin Schaefer of Gold Star Mortgage Financial, Jason Gorman, Joshua Wright of In Network Real Estate, Dave Klaft of Keller Williams Lakeside, Carol Boji of RE/MAX Classic, Nathan Boji of RE/MAX Classic, Rebecca Williamson of RE/MAX Classic, Debbie Zalewski of Real Living Kee Realty Troy, Julie Diaz of Commission Express, Kathy Coon of Real Living Great Lakes Rochester, John McArdle of Remerica Hometown One, Kevin & James Cristbrook of Shain Park, REALTORS®, John Meesseman of Real Living Kee Rochester, Christopher Ayers of Ayers-Heilig Team, Jason Heilig of Ayers-Heilig Team, Katie Weaver of Real Living Key Realty, Shana Maitland of Signature Sotheby's, and Johnna Struck of Changing Places.