SGK9s Board
Brigette Parsons, Founder and Executive Director of Saving Grace K9’s, has 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. She has a BA in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She began her mission to help rescue dogs and veterans in 2013 and her life has been forever changed for the better. "I'm amazed every day by the strength it takes for our veterans to consistently put themselves through stress and anxiety in order to complete this program and be a more functioning part of their families and society."
Nathan Short, Chairman, is a two-time SGK9s graduate with his dogs Buddy and Ella. Nathan served in the Army and his wife is also a veteran. They have 3 awesome kids.
Stephanie Maner, Vice Chairman, has been married for 35 years to her wonderful husband Bobby. She is the proud mother of 3 sons (Bobby, Derek and Nickolas), the proud Meemaw of 2 grandsons (Brayden and Kyler) and she has 2 Boxers (Sadie Mae and Maximus). She tragically lost her youngest son, Nickolas, to PTSD in 2017. He was a combat veteran that served in the Army and had been deployed to Afghanistan. She now she spends her time raising awareness for the #22aday. Her strength through adversity has won our hearts and has earned her a spot on the SGK9s board.
James Dean, SGK9s graduate, Veteran Liaison and Secretary, has 9 years of experience with the USMC. He served three tours with the USMC and was honorably discharged in September 2014. He was our first graduate and successfully trained two of his service dogs, Rebel and Chunk. He helps veterans transition into the program and progress through the program. He knows and understands what they are going through and he found his calling with SGK9s where he can give back to his brothers and sisters.