Meet the People Behind the Mission

Veterans helping veterans, trainers guiding transformations, and every team member united by one goal, saving lives through the power of the paw.

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At K9 Partners for Patriots, our strength lies in our people—each one dedicated to restoring independence to veterans battling PTSD, TBI, and MST. From trainers to clinicians, from office staff and volunteers to board members, we work in unison to build lasting bonds between veterans and their service dogs.

Leadership Team

Guiding the Vision, Shaping the Mission

Mary Peter

Founder / Director of Training Operations

Mary has been training dogs professionally since 1987. She is a Certified Master Dog Trainer and a graduate of the National K9 Learning Center, Columbus, Ohio.

Ron Flaville

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Ron proudly served in both the Marine Corps and the U.S. Army. He holds the distinction of being the very first veteran to graduate from the K9 Partners for Patriots Service Dog Program.

Rob White

Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Rob served in both the U.S. Army and Navy, and continues his commitment to service as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Training & Wellness Team

Empowering Veterans Through Expert Care

Jess Kendrat

Certified Master Dog Trainer

Jess is a Certified Master Dog Trainer and a graduate of the National K9 Learning Center, Columbus, Ohio.

Jeanne White

Certified Dog Trainer / Head of K9 Acquisitions

Jeanne is a Certified Dog Trainer and serves as Head of K9 Acquisitions, where she plays a vital role in identifying and evaluating rescue dogs for the program.

Damian Watson

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Damian, a U.S. Army veteran, serves as the in-house Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) for K9 Partners for Patriots, providing vital mental health support to our veterans throughout their journey.