In February 2019, Sgt. McRae of the Michigan State Police Trooper Recruit School set a goal. To honor Michigan State Trooper Craig A. Scott, a military veteran killed in the line of duty after 7 years on the force in 1982.

Each recruit class creates a Hero WOD (workout of the day) for a fellow trooper and performs the Hero WOD at the gym. This 135th trooper recruit school added a fundraiser with an ambitious goal. To raise $25,000 to sponsor the training of a medical service dog for a deserving recipient.

The 135th Trooper Recruit School members were well on their way to that goal, raising $9,200 during a Hero WOD. That’s when GMAR (The Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS®) reached out to help them complete their goal. GMAR has already been involved in raising funds for service dogs for several years, with their "5 Years, 5 Dogs, 5 Lives Saved" campaign and they have previously completed sponsorship of Service Dogs Cobalt REALTOR® Blue, and Thor, and have future Service Dog Independence, currently in training.

On Monday, August 12, 2019, the two came together, and GMAR presented a check to The Michigan State Police for $15,725 – covering the balance of the Trooper Recruit School’s sponsorship.

The funds raised and contributed will be sent to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization that has raised and trained more than 320 service dogs for deserving individuals in need nationwide, predominantly for veterans and first-responders.

To date, Guardian Angels have paired more than 20 dogs in the State of Michigan. But the waiting list continues to grow. The number of both veterans and first-responders facing issues such as PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Seizure, and Diabetic disorders, and mobility issues is steadily increasing, and it is the hope of the Michigan State Police, and GMAR that this individually-trained medical service dog, yet named will greatly improve life for its future recipient.