Leadership Changes for Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans

For Immediate Release

Leadership Changes for Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans

Arlington, Virginia (March 15, 2023) Today, the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans (ASDPMV) is pleased to announce leadership changes with their board of directors & executive team.

Amanda Baity has been appointed Interim Executive Director as of March 10, 2023. A founding member of ASDPMV, Baity has been heavily involved in daily operations since 2016. “My transition to the Interim ED role will allow our team to select the best candidate for our leader to move us forward,” said Baity. “My dedication to the success of our partner members and the overall mission of our organization continues to be at the forefront during this transition period.” Baity and her husband Christopher founded Semper K9 Assistance Dogs in 2014. Semper K9 is a founding partner member of ASDPMV and is based in Quantico, Virginia.

Previous Executive Director, Jeremiah Blocker, has taken on roles as Legal Advisor & Board Member. “It has been an honor to lead this organization over the past four years,“ said Blocker. “As we enter into a new phase of growth, handing over the reins will create new opportunities for our partner members and the veterans they serve.”

Founding member Mary Peter has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors. “It’s a privilege to be in this position to lead our organization,” said Peter. “We are proud of our accomplishment of creating a national service dog training standard and continue to strive for excellence in the service dogs for veterans’ industry.”   As founder of partner member K9 Partners for Patriots based in Brookeville, Florida, Peter has been a board member of ASDPMV and a member of the ASDPMV Standards & Membership committees.

Newly appointed Vice-Chair of ASDPMV Board of Directors is DeeDe Baker, founder of partner member Dog Tag Buddies based in Billings, Montana. Baker is ASDPMVs policy committee chairman, leading our efforts to education lawmakers and change National, State & Local policies impacting service dogs and disabled veterans. “I am excited about this transition and so appreciative of all the work that has already been accomplished,” said Baker.

Each organization in the association abides by national service dog training standards, found in a manual on ASDPMV’s website, servicedogs4vets.org. Many member organizations exclusively train service dogs to assist in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder management, while others also train to assist with mobility limitations and other disabilities. ASDPMV also holds an annual service dog conference where attendees can network, partake in professional development, converse with VA representatives, and share best practices. Find out more about the annual conference at servicedogs4vets.org/conference.

About the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans

The Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans is a coalition of non-profit service dog providers for military Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma working to prevent suicide and improve military Veterans’ mental health.

Our goal is to ensure that best practices are utilized by qualified organizations to ensure that Veterans are paired with the most beneficial service dogs; increase awareness and understanding of the medical evidence that supports the use of service dogs, and advocate for the expanded use of qualified service dogs.